Descripción
70 years after it’s creation, the Baxandall EQ gets a definitive update.
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.
Its sound can only be described as tight, sweet, and natural, and its use of parallel equalizing to obtain
the desired response curves makes it to have exceptional low phase deviation and artifacts.
Shelving with surgical, but musical precision.
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).
2 pole high and low pass filters.
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).
This is where the magic lives.
The Symph EQ would have been an awesome sculpting tool just as it has been described above, but it
turns into a monster piece with the following 3 additions:
· It features the same exclusive Carnhill input transformers made in Oxford found in the
Successor.
· Its outputs are driven by 73-type Class-A output amplifiers, built with the same Carnhill St ́Ives
output transformers as the rest of the family.
· Most importantly and, here is where the Symph EQ really shines, it has built in Mid Side (M/S)
capabilities.
M/S Equalizing cannot be rivaled.
Nothing comes close to M/S equalizing a mix. It allows the user to process the center and the sides
independently. The benefits of such processing are hard to believe. You can brighten your mix without
making your vocals sound harsh, or even tighten the stereo-image’s bass content without making your
bass or kick sound weak! This are just a few examples of the Symph EQ M/S power!
The response of the Side high pass filter has been made elliptical as in the vintage disk cutters for
precise frequency response.
BULLET POINTS:
· 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.
