got my RNC's, thoughts on stereo eq?

[markr]

In the attempt to continue to upgrade my gear, I recently got two RNC's since they seem to be the rage (and their affordable). Now I think it's time to upgrade to a stereo (or perhaps dual mono?) eq unit. Main use will be processing individual tracks once their in, and then on the main stereo mixdown as well. I'd like to spend less than $1000.00 Any thoughts?

One more supplimentary question; I recently acquired an audioarts 4200 dual mono eq unit but it has balanced xlr jacks in & out. I'm not quite sure hot to hook this up to my 1/4" (trs) patchbay (I have tried xlr to 1/4" cables with no success), or if it will work if routed pre or post of the RNC's (seems like the literature on the RNC's says they will not work with balanced gear). How might I go about hooking this unit up to my patchbay? Do I somehow need to "un"balance this path? Thanks for your consideration and assistance.