Sta-Level: Gates, Retro or neither?

[JMc]

I'm looking to add more mojo to my vocals and recently decided to try and find an original Gates Sta-Level. There was a nice one on eBay yesterday, but someone else wanted it more than I did, and paid $2k for it, which is close enough to the Retro price, that I decided to hold off. I started thinking about recaps, hard to find tubes, etc.

Besides...

I've ordered the LA-610SE which is coming out later this month, and aside from the improvements over the original LA-610, I feel it's bound to become a collector's item eventually, since only 500 are being made worldwide. That is of course, if it sounds terrific. At $2k, it's in the same ballpark range as the Gates I passed up and not far from the Retro Sta-Level pricing.

Now, the dilemma... I'd still like a vari-mu comp/limiter like the Gates to have in my rack for that fat, thick sound. The Retro SL seems to be getting very good comments, but I'm wondering if I'd be better off patiently waiting for an original Gates, or is the Retro truly as good (sounding), plus actually better because of the added controls and tube options?

Does Vintageking allow returns if I ordered the Sta-Level and decided after trying it that I am more satisfied with the LA-610SE for achieving the sound I am after?

[AB3]

Fat-thick---- Vintage Designs CL1 MKII compressor - really underrated on vocals - and TWO channels for $3600.

Euphonic - Therm. Phoenix probably the best vari-mu design on vocals.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by JMc

I'm looking to add more mojo to my vocals and recently decided to try and find an original Gates Sta-Level. There was a nice one on eBay yesterday, but someone else wanted it more than I did, and paid $2k for it, which is close enough to the Retro price, that I decided to hold off. I started thinking about recaps, hard to find tubes, etc.

Besides...

I've ordered the LA-610SE which is coming out later this month, and aside from the improvements over the original LA-610, I feel it's bound to become a collector's item eventually, since only 500 are being made worldwide. That is of course, if it sounds terrific. At $2k, it's in the same ballpark range as the Gates I passed up and not far from the Retro Sta-Level pricing.

Now, the dilemma... I'd still like a vari-mu comp/limiter like the Gates to have in my rack for that fat, thick sound. The Retro SL seems to be getting very good comments, but I'm wondering if I'd be better off patiently waiting for an original Gates, or is the Retro truly as good (sounding), plus actually better because of the added controls and tube options?

Does Vintageking allow returns if I ordered the Sta-Level and decided after trying it that I am more satisfied with the LA-610SE for achieving the sound I am after?

Simply call Vintage King and ask. They're good people. Try Darrin at Vintage King. Then you're 100% sure depending on what they say.

As for the UN 610 "collector's edition".... eh, While I also have a 610 among loads of other stuff, next to my V72, Neve, Pacifica, BA-660... I wouldn't look at the UA piece to be "destined to be a collector's item."

1. They're not THAT well regarded (you'd do better with the Retro Sta or 176b)
2. I can't tell much of a difference from the build of a regular 610

Again... maybe give Vintage King a call and ask the same quesion, they are straight shooters.

Lastly, even if you have Fairchilds, V72 and gear of that level, not sure if I'd EVER look at this as an "investment," unless it's in you and what you can do with it. There are many other places your money can make better money.

Buy what you want, need and will use. My two cents.

-andrews

[JMc]

Originally Posted by AB3

Fat-thick---- Vintage Designs CL1 MKII compressor - really underrated on vocals - and TWO channels for $3600.

Euphonic - Therm. Phoenix probably the best vari-mu design on vocals.

Thanks, I'll check those out, but I don't need two channels. Just one, and I want to keep the cost < $2.5k if possible.

[vernier]

If the Retro's are anyting like the originals, I'd check out the 176.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by vernier

If the Retro's are anyting like the originals, I'd check out the 176.

Yes! A VERY amazing piece of gear a new old classic for the future, ha!

But seriously, a truly solid piece of gear!

-andrews

[EleKtriKaz]

I've had the chance to hear a few different vintage STA-Levels as well as the Retro. We have a vintage gray faceplate version, a vintage yellowish/greenish faceplate version and the Retro at the studio. For whatever reason the yellowish/greenish version, which I was told by Phil of Retro is actually a later model that was manufactured after Gates was bought by Collins or something, sounds the best. They all sound great, but each a little different. In our A/Bing the Retro came in second place. The green one and the Retro are in constant use for us.

I would say the Retro is a probably going to be the best value. The adjustable attack and release times are pretty handy, plus it will be very consistent and have less maintenance issues. We've had to do some recapping on the vintage ones. Plus eventually the tubes will need replacing on the older ones. The Retro is an extremely well done reissue. When our vintage green Sta-Level was recapped by a Gates aficionado, he said it was the best sounding Sta-Level he had ever heard and actually went and modified his Sta-Level to match the specs of ours. The fact that the Retro holds up so well against it speaks to the quality of the reissue. I don't think you would be at all disappointed with that purchase.

Good luck.

[RoundBadge]

Look at the Retro176.
I have the retro Sta and the 176B .
both great.
the 176 imo is a way more versitle unit..can seriously give you the big fat tubey vibe or ..the cool thing is,you can switch out the interstage tranny and it gets a cleaner more transparent limiter vibe. it has other extremely functional features no other comp has as well.


.

[Johnkenn]

Hey - are you at a studio here in Nashville or is this just your personal studio? Just wondered what studio would have the bad-assedness to have a vintage Sta-Level...

Originally Posted by EleKtriKaz

I've had the chance to hear a few different vintage STA-Levels as well as the Retro. We have a vintage gray faceplate version, a vintage yellowish/greenish faceplate version and the Retro at the studio. For whatever reason the yellowish/greenish version, which I was told by Phil of Retro is actually a later model that was manufactured after Gates was bought by Collins or something, sounds the best. They all sound great, but each a little different. In our A/Bing the Retro came in second place. The green one and the Retro are in constant use for us.

I would say the Retro is a probably going to be the best value. The adjustable attack and release times are pretty handy, plus it will be very consistent and have less maintenance issues. We've had to do some recapping on the vintage ones. Plus eventually the tubes will need replacing on the older ones. The Retro is an extremely well done reissue. When our vintage green Sta-Level was recapped by a Gates aficionado, he said it was the best sounding Sta-Level he had ever heard and actually went and modified his Sta-Level to match the specs of ours. The fact that the Retro holds up so well against it speaks to the quality of the reissue. I don't think you would be at all disappointed with that purchase.

Good luck.

[EleKtriKaz]

Yeah, at Sound Stage here in Nashville. We're camped out in Front Stage. The Sta-Levels are Reid's.