Heritage Audio introduced Symph EQ

The new device boasts custom Carnhill Oxford input transformers and a 73-style Class-A output stage.

Baxandall equalizer’s topology, introduced to the public by Peter Baxandall in 1952, was a very ingenious way of obtaining high and low shelves with boost and cut option without using expensive rotary switches. This affordable circuit was soon adopted by hi-fi and console manufacturers for its simplicity, where parametric options aren’t needed. Heritage Audio has successfully replaced the Baxandall topology with a functional equivalent — a much more musical one, implemented as a one rack space, master bus/ mastering type unit.

The Stereo Asymptotic Equalizer, affectionately known as Symph EQ, takes its name from the shape obtained by its shelf curves; where the boost or cut amplitude grows up until the asymptotic value is reached, keeping the ultra highs and sub lows always controlled. A smart circuit layout allows for a maximum boost/cut of 10.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps. The main rotary switch sets 1dB steps whilst the 0.5 button adds half a dB to the main reading. The CUT button turns the boost amount into cut. Six strategically selected frequency choices per band are available (8, 10, 12, 15, 20 and 24 Khz on the high shelf, and 470, 360, 220, 110, 60 and 20 Hz on the low shelf). In order to keep the sub-low and ultra-high frequency content well under control, further high-pass and low-pass filters have been added on dual concentric rotary switches, at 12dB/octave. 5 frequency choices plus OFF are available on each one (10, 12, 18, 22 and 30 Khz on the low-pass, and 160, 82, 47, 20 and 15 Hz on the high-pass).

FEATURES

• Custom Carnhill Oxford input transformers, and custom Carnhill St Ives output transformers, both exclusively made for Heritage Audio.
• A high-end, 73-style Class-A output stage.
• All controls use high-quality rotary switches for 0.5dB precision equalizing.
• Mid-side processing allows for precise center bass management and high boosting hard panned sources without affecting center ones such as vocals, snare, etc. Side high-pass filter turns into elliptical type when in M/S, as implemented in vintage disk cutters.
• Stereo and M/S inputs and outputs, all balanced and ground free (unbalanced compatible) on gold plated XLRs.ON, M/S or stereo mode and individual hard BYPASS per channel.
• Fully manufactured in the EU.

Info: Heritage Audio