Warm Audio EQP-WA GainMod

I've been using the wa eqp for a whole month now.
It's my first analog equalizer and i bougth it hoping to get a warmer (yeah i know) sound than my plugins.
After several tests i found to like the sounds and the work flow you get from using the cut and boost knobs.
And even if subtle, you can definitely ear the valves working!
But to be honest, i was disapointed.
I was expecting something more comparing the EQP to digital....well...maybe plug ins are getting too good!
I'm keeping the unit 'couse i have the possibility to buy more hardwares (looking for a tape saturator Portico 542)
But if you're going to buy only one hardware thinking it would be a big upgrade from plugins and a way to enter into the analog lush harmonic realm....than i invite you to look for more options.
I would consider the cheap GoldenAge take to the LA2 to get a tube analog feel instead of this (and you get also a great compressor)
The warmaudio is good but the sea is full of fish!

Purchased from Thomann as it was cheaper in Germany than anywhere in the UK and they had it in stock. Ordered on a Wednesday, here on the following Tuesday.

First impression as I've only used it for a week - used it on my output, yet to properly integrate it into my set up.
If you have a well mixed track, this really takes it to the next level, warms up the whole sound and tightens up the bottom end.
Mixes seem clean and warm, the stereo image is noticeably clearer.

Pros - at this price, everything. Ease of use - plug ins are great but they just don't compare. Just turn it on and adjust to taste, very quick. It can be subtle or heavy and pronounced, can be pushed harder.

Cons - at the moment I can't find a bad word to say, I'm sure it has it's limitations but so far, I'm a happy owner.

I have 2 EQPWA's to use on stereo instruments and on my mixbuss and in general I am very pleased with the units. I like their sound a lot, it sounds 'expensive' and 'pro', but it also has some minor issues that some might not be bothered with, but which I found to be a bit annoying:

- I found that the details of the units (the knobs) cosmetically often had problems (bad paint etc),

- also it is sometimes difficult to match the settings on 2 units by the knobs' settings since the knobs aren't 100% aligned.

- Also when turning the units on, you can get some 'pop and click' sounds (which apparently is inherent to analogue gear like this) while changing the units frequencies settings. These 'clicks' really don't happen while your are recording, but they do occur while you are searching for the right setting, which I found to be a bit annoying at times.

But once you get your settings right and start recording, the sound is really beautiful, warm , full of life and somehow really sounds more '3D'. To conclude, I would recommend these units despite the small issues.

Ich war auf der Suche nach einem Pultec Klon, der nicht nur vom Aussehen, sonder auch vom Klang her an die originalen EQP's ran kommt. Ein Pultec Style EQ mit CineMag Übertragern für 700 Schleifen? Nehm ich...

Zu Beginn erstmal die positiven Aspekte des EQ's. Das Gerät ist super verarbeitet, hat ein schönes Gewicht und die Bedienung ist gleich zum Original. Der Pultec Trick mit Boost und Cut gleichzeitig klappt auch gut.

Vom Klang her fehlt es mir allerdings sehr an dem "Charme" des Originals. Die Höhen ab 8 kHz wirken für mich eher zischelnd als seidig weich. Auch greift der EQ "härter" als das Original. Gut, jetzt könnte man sagen, dass es sich ja auch nicht um das Original handelt und zu dem Preis ist das schon Meckern auf hohem Niveau.
Ja, ABER ich suchte einen Passiven EQ der genau (oder annähernd) den Charakter des Originals hat.
Fündig geworden bin ich dann bei AudioScape. Dieser Pultec Klon liegt dem Echten tatsächlich sehr nahe. Leider sind die Geräte nur schwer zu bekommen und kosten auch etwas mehr.

Abschließen möchte ich betonen, dass ich den EQP-WA keineswegs schlecht reden möchte. Für den Preis kriegt man ein ordentliches Gerät, nur halt leider keins, das klanglich an das Original kommt.