To Equalize or Not to Equalize

+1, @rbrannen   couldn’t agree more!

BTW, best studio analog EQ with excellent cabling (both pc and interconnects) has been game changing for me. And NO degradation when used appropriately and not over dialed. Also, have heard my CO inserted into a 60K system between Mac tube pre and Pass monos driving SF. NO DEGRADATION. Dealer agreed. Only sweet tone shaping. Analog gear though varies considerably in its fidelity and abilities in a hi fi system. Gotta find the right one. Once you do though it’s hard to imagine doing without it. Ask another here, @bigwave1 , who has my piece in his system. BTW his system is far more expensive than mine.

Google “cello palette Stereophile,” read the subsection “to equalize or not to equalize, a sound philosophy “ and you will get a great discussion from this 2004 review on why what the artist intended you to hear likely is not translated to your ears in your high end systems. 
(why cannot one copy and paste links here?!)

OP, don’t buy Schitt. Ask @dgarretson about his Manley Massive Passive in his very high end system. Or @bigwave1 , who I mentioned previously. Don’t take my word for it. There are others here who know what magic you are missing with Schitt vs pro analog. The difference is not subtle. But do what you want. I’m just very very enthusiastic on this topic. 

Honestly,  would not consider removing the Charter Oaks from the playback. Using USB when the CO is in the chain and short single ended when out of the playback. To my ears, the better the recording, the less the eq is needed if at all.