It is somewhat envolved to implement 8 channels of analog parametric EQ in an audio device, let alone one controled by a menu GUI. You can rest assured it was not done in the 976 and if any processing exists it will be in DSP!

You should reconsider your aversion to digital conversion and DSP. It is mostly transparent there days. If the source is already digital, feeding the 976 digitally and using its great DAC is a perfectly good solution imho!