seek help with deciding the best high-end gear.

[fez]

I'm saving money to buy high-end gear. But I can't decide which one to save money for.

I did some thorough research and this are the one I have in mind. I'm searching for the best suitible mastering processor.

Mindprint DTC
SPL tube vitalizer
TL-audio 5052
SPL kultube

I've read some reviews about them and TL audio is the one that interest me the most. I'm just want the most character full and warmest of them all with the lowest noise. Also did some reasearch about that but it is a bit confusing.

Thanks for your feedback,

[parloursound]

We use the SPL kultube on our 2buss and it is fantastic. I'm sure there are better but for the cash it's bloody good.

www.parloursound.co.uk

[fez]

I'm impressed with your gear list and company profile. Good to see people here with much experience. thumbsup

Hoping if someone here has experience with all of them. For a good opinion.

[DrDeltaM]

I wouldn't consider any of them true high-end (except for the Kultube maybe), and surely not as mastering compressors...

Maybe a Buzz SOC1.1 to keep it reasonably affordable (while not really being a true mastering compressor tho)? Otherwise i'd say Cranesong STC-8

[fez]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

I wouldn't consider any of them true high-end (except for the Kultube maybe), and surely not as mastering compressors...

Maybe a Buzz SOC1.1 to keep it reasonably affordable (while not really being a true mastering compressor tho)? Otherwise i'd say Cranesong STC-8

Seeking in the price range from a 1000 to 2500 euro. And must have tubes.

[fez]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

I wouldn't consider any of them true high-end (except for the Kultube maybe), and surely not as mastering compressors...

Why can't you consider them as a mastering compressor?. Just a question. I'm Quite new in the high-end range of gear.

[DrDeltaM]

The ones you list all **** up the sound too much... can be great for on some individual tracks, but not exactly what you want on the stereo masterbus.
In the pricerange you list, the Buzz SOC1.1 ( http://www.buzzaudio.com ) would do a great job probably. While it has no tubes, it's still euphonic. An other option is the Gyraf ( http://www.gyraf.dk ) mastering compressor, think it just fits the pricerange as well.
Anyway, forget about tubes as a must-have. Plenty of great solid state gear out there as well thumbsup

[Riccardo]

It would appear that The Buzzmeister is workin on a mastering comp, don't know when will be available and if it will be in your price range.

As the Doctor suggested Gyraf have both an optical and a Delta-MU comp.

Also Pendulum OCL should fit in yout budget I believe (ES-8 is slightly more expensive)

[fez]

Thanks for your feedback!

[Albert]

I certainly wouldn't consider the TLA unit to be mastering quality. And as others have stated, your list is not really that high end, more like mid-end. Also, don't rule out solid state compressors, as there are some great ones.

That said, you might be able to score a used Manley VariMu for around $2,500. Another unit that might fit your budget is the Avalon 747.