Ditto on the Rane. Ashly, too makes good sounding EQ. Stay away from the old Klark-Teknik stuff! Awful sounding. I didn't know how bad until we swapped it for an Ashly. Maybe their new stuff is better.

Have never used the Altec EQ. Think I ran Urei for awhile - did they make an EQ?

EDIT: Here is a good deal on a 1653.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ALTEC-LANSING-16...-/260410642629
You'd need another one for stereo

Oh wait! This guy has 2 - 1 not working. With above you could have a pair for not much coin.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Altec-1653A-1-3-...-/130388470094