I'm using a Rane ME60 in one of my systems, and I'm happy with it. It has 30 sliders per channel for 1/3-octave control. I hear no sound quality degradation, although I know all equalizers will theoretically have adverse effects. It has better build quality than an Audio Control 10-III I used in the past, although that was a much less expensive product. The ME60 was reviewed favorably in The Sensible Sound late in 2000. At the time I bought it, I also considered the Cello Palette, introduced in 1985 by Mark Levinson. While the Palette is a true high end product, it had fewer bands than the Rane (which comes across as more of a professional/industrial item). By the way, Mark's current brand, Red Rose Music, currently offers an equalizer that operates in the digital domain. It doesn't seem to accept analog signals and is intended to fit between a digital transport and DAC. See it on www.redrosemusic.com. Good luck!
