Top 6 - 500 Series modules

I'd agree with that 100%. suicity It's a very nice device. It has two overlapping gain ranges; there is a high and low gain toggle and the high end of the Low gain toggle position overlaps with the low end of the High gain toggle position. But they are not redundant because the High gain toggle position kicks in the 3rd tube. So, while delivering the same gain there is a different sound. Lots to explore in those overlapping regions. I've mostly used it for outboard processing, as I'm mostly tracking with clean Pres instead of colored Pres like the Retro so I don't bake in stuff I shouldn't have. For outboard it is really nice :-)

Like drsax sez, it is built like a tank. Just weighed her at 2.6 LB. And, the toggles are so crispy and solid I swear clacking one wakes the neighbor's dog. Srsly though. Solid. Two pretty hefty transfos.

Below are some pics. I read before I bought it some criticism of the opamp (you can see that in the 2nd pic if I've got it right), and I'm not sure where that opamp hits the circuit. Also, it's not full plate voltage (it runs at 62V according to Phil) but it sounds lush not starved.

It comes with three 12AT7 tubes, but being an inveterate roller I tube rolled it with (front to back) NOS Brimar 12AU7, Amperex Bugle Boy 12AT7, and Sylvania GE 12AY7 tubes. Although I wouldn't bet a thumb it sounds better than the stock tubes (JJ I think I recall) I might bet a pinkie. The only thing to be aware of when rolling it is that the V3 is limited in which tube it can take due to space constraints. I tried another NOS tube (can't recall which one) and it wouldn't fit because the taper top bumped against that capacitor that you can see in the last pic.

Also below is a Raw Vox track from a Lewitt mix contest of Marina and the Kats. Along with the Raw track is that track processed outboard with nothing other than the Retro 500 Pre. It is at mid Low gain and hitting the 500Pre with a -40 dBu mic level signal at ~400 Ohm.

I feel the Retro unveils the vocals, lifts them to be front-n-center, offers a bit of crispiness but doesn't unduly distort on intense passages (there is no comp on this raw vox so it has a wide dynamic range). Also, while both tracks are normalized to -4.95 dB the Retro track is a bit louder RMS to me, which I often experience with it and I think stems from the limiting nature of the device. It clearly softens transients in the examples below and does so in a way that is pleasing not distorting (to my ear). 



https%3A//soundcloud.com/poppaflavor/marina-and-the-kats-dirty-1

https%3A//soundcloud.com/poppaflavor/marina-and-the-kats-dirty-vox

I bought my two Moog Analog delays R500 for peanuts around 2015... I already knew at the time I was buying them for a bargain. 5 years later they were worth 4 times what I spent... sometimes you get lucky and it covers the other unlucky transactions you're likely to make... the crazy bit is : I got consecutive numbers, a year appart, from two unrelated buyers

My top 6 here at the moment

1 Capi VP28
2. IAA LH95 (Have 4 of these. LOVE THEM!)
3. Chandler Little Devil EQ (mojo for days)
4. JLM LA500 (Have a pair, need more! :-)
5. WesAudio Rhea
6. Great River PWM 501

Top 6 today, it changes...

AEA RPQ500
AS V3a
CAPI 312
Iron Age QP5
Iron Age LH95
Chamboard 250 EQ

My most used

1. LTL Mister Focus
2. LTL Chroma
3. AEA RPQ
4. Empress ECM-519
5. Kush Electra
6. OPT1A (Brute with different opamp)

The 550A is popular!