Looking for Pultec style HW

I'm at a disadvantage never having played with or heard a real Pultec EQP-1A. I went "shot in the dark" and got a pair of the Revive Audio modded Warm EQP-WA units and had Bowie send me some NOS tubes that tamed the midrange forwardness of the JJs and TungSol's a touch. They sound pretty nice, but I doubt they have the high-end magic of the originals. I suspect it's all in the old transformers.

Yeah, I had read that. The inductor used in those isn't right or something. I hear they can get a little harsh if boosted too much. I'd like to utilize this EQ on a vocal chain for high end boost, which is one of the reasons I keep getting cold feet over the KT's.

Maag.

I was considering that. You prefer that over the tubes?

Unless you're going all the way with original type transformers, it'll never sound like an original Pultec.  Transformers are always way more of the signature than tubes.  A SS Pultec will sound more like a 'Pultec' than anyone else's version, because of the transformers.  So we're not living that dream; go for accurate broader/smoother curves as the next best solution.  People seem to universally call the SS Pultecs tighter in the bottom than the tube, and the KT seems to get points for bottom tightness over the Warm.  I smell at least one trend.  The Analog Allstars curves are at least right, and it adds additional frequency points.  That's the only option I have personally assessed, there are certainly plenty of others.  

Someone will eventually show off the KT they hacked a completely different circuit into, total gut replacement keeping the case and knobs.  Who knows, that could be competitive.....but I doubt it.   I bet their metal isn't great.  Metalwork isn't cheap or easy with the drill press.  

PS: I would go AML over Drip, for reasons too numerous to mention. Hell, I'd just go point to point and fire up the drill press. Maybe consider the Vintage Windings cap/inductor package as a starting point.  

The Analog Allstars EQ is great, and I personally would like to try the AML EQP and MEQ but it looks like those kits, along with the 2254, aren't on Colin's site anymore. I missed the boat ordering those when the dollar was stronger (a EPQ kit will cost you about $75 more than it would have at the beginning of the year)...if you are going that route I'd do it soon because the dollar keeps getting weaker against the pound.

I would not overlook the KT unit. Being a DIY type guy, you can easily swap out a few components and make it exponentially better. That's not to say that it NEEDS to be better. A vintage pultec it is not. Nor is anything else available without vintage transformers. BUT, as a imminently useable tool in the Pultec tradition, it succeeds magnificently IMO. And at a cost that is ridiculous. Why not buy one and try it out. The worst that can happen is that you off it and loose a hundred bucks or so. My guess is that even if it does not meet your criteria, you will keep it and continue looking. I'm happy with two here.


>>>Personally, I find em significantly more useful than the highly touted EQ's I bought from you.  Which cost more than double the KT's.

TC Pullet another possibility, I have one and love it, not too expensive, but caveats: 1) I've never used a "real" Pultec to compare, so no idea how close it is, and 2) it's all passive with about a 40dB insertion loss, so will need a dual mic pre to bring it back up to line level (I use a TG2).

You're right, I suppose I ought to check them out. 

>>>Ouch! Can't tell if that was a slight at me or the EQ's! Ha! Regardless, I'll give the KT's a go.

I love the aml pultecs — very easy build and I’m sure they’ll go back up for sale sooner or later. I haven’t compared them to other versions, but a friend of mine with the Warms much preferred mine.

I'm a bit late to this thread but I'll give the Analog Allstars a tip of the hat as well. I went on a bit of a tear and built four of 'em. They're pretty easy and fun to build; all those Wima caps make for a great filter section that puts a grin on my face each time I've put one together.

I don't know how it would stack up to a real Pultec; I don't have access to one, but they are real satisfying to use. Given the price point it's not an unreasonable proposition to fill a lunchbox with them. The fact that you get to build it is icing on the cake.

Yep, original frequency points only -- it seems like Colin avoids modifying the original designs as much as possible (AML 2254a is another example). And yes, it also uses Carnhill in/out/interstage transformers and inductors. Stock tubes are JJ Audio..... which seem fine, but I'm going to try some other options sooner or later. Side note, the Warm version lacks the interstage transformer.