This never happens: the original company is still making them just like they used to. Refurbs, too.

Jetphase likes 'em. So does Tchad Blake. Unlike the Level Loc, though, supply is not fixed or dwindling. They are almost as badly kept a secret, though. And now not always cheaper than an 1176.

Are they legend because they do a grungier 1176 sort-of thing, or is it because they were the secret cheap alternative? It ain't ease of use from what I gather--everyone seems to say there's a sweet-spot you need to get for them to work their best.

Whaddya think?

Bear

What are these selling for new?

$1995, assuming that isn't an MSRP rather than the actual sale price. That's about what a new UA 1176 reissue will street for, where a Purple MC-77 will street a bit less than $1700.

If my only choice were to buy new (hardware), of the three choices I would probably go for the MC-77 since it does all the things a great 1176 is supposed to do, and I don't have enough of a grip on why the Spectrasonics is special. But that could just be about me not knowing the quirks and uses.

Tchad Blake's run of guest mod-ing Gearslutz gave him occasion to comment on a few applications he had made of the 610, but I don't know the tracks to know anything about the result. But what I do know is that advocates describe it as a compressor that sounds like a grungier 1176. And I am down with grungy compressors. So in the abstract sense, GIMME!

Bear

never seen one.
grungy can be cool for some things.
how is the build quality i wonder?

They've started advertising in Tape-Op, which is remarkable. For years it would have been hard to know the company was still in existence based on their lack of interest in marketing.

Bear