Fairchild 670, Ear 660 or ADL 670? which are the best?

[walth]

Fairchild 670, 2x Ear 660 or ADL 670? which ones are the best?

[walth]

anyone?

[RCM - Ronan]

I have not been able to test all these, but you might want to put the Analogue Tube AT-101 into the running.

[bassjam]

And this!

Tube Equipment Corporation

[salomonander]

if that is your options it will certainly be the real 670...what else?

[CatFace]

I know 1 Fairchild 670 exceptionally well, and have used a couple of EAR 660's.

Honestly... They both sound phenomenal, but different.
The Fairchild (which I use daily) is as transparent as you like, and compresses in a way that is just magic..
After it's been on a few days it's even better.. It's breathtaking.

The EAR's (to my ears) colour the sound slightly more, and are slightly squashier on GR.

I think I prefer the EAR on some vocals and bass than I do the Fairchild.

I have never used a Fairchild 660.. So I can't compare.

Certainly a pair of EAR's is considerably cheaper than a good Fairchild 670 in top condition.. Also much easier to maintain.

I'd be happy with either.

[Space Station]

The ear660's are outrageously good..I have one but would love a pair..

Im having a Drip 670 built, to custom specs with NOS parts, by someone else(I dont have the time) and it's still coming out at fraction of the cost of the boutique clones out there...cant wait to get it.

[Marcocet]

They're all fantastic, and at the price of any of them you'd be a fool not to give a listen and make the decision yourself.

Personally I have and love my ADL, but I certainly wouldn't throw the others out of bed, you know?

[Dirty Halo]

For those who are purely interested in the sound and not the "idea," you owe it to yourselves to check out the Anamod 670

-andrews

[latestflavor]

Originally Posted by Space Station

The ear660's are outrageously good..I have one but would love a pair..

Im having a Drip 670 built, to custom specs with NOS parts, by someone else(I dont have the time) and it's still coming out at fraction of the cost of the boutique clones out there...cant wait to get it.

space station, did you ever get the Drip?

[SIXTWOFOUR]

The EAR 660 is the go to compressor for Lead Vocals! The Fairchild 670 works great on Acoustic Guitars or Vocals. I have never tried the ADL. Also for a slightly darker sound I like the Mercury 66's!

[RoundBadge]

I had a pair of Ear 660's..kinda finicky to set up in stereo..super touchy knobs!
semi one trick pony's but yes, sound reeeally nice!
Vocals n' bass ? yes sir.
snare drum?try it.=special.
I found they kinda softened the outer L/R edges of a mix when applied to the stereo buss but added a beautiful rich classy thick yet Hi Fi - kinda audio equivalent of a technicolor cinematic thing to all things stereo..
yet somehow managed to leave the bass freq's intact,sounding big n tight.
1 maybe 2 db's tops and your good.

killer on limit mode for drum buss=HUGE..actually could really give your 2254's a run for the money.
damn,now I'm really wishing I still had them .

[Fletcher]

Having tried all of the above... there still isn't anything like a well set up 670... it really is special. The bitch is getting one really well set up, and then keeping it that way. Its kinda like having a Ferrari... know in advance that an oil change is going to run you several thousand dollars as they have to pull the engine to change the oil. Same thing with a 670... know that every 4-5000 hours you're going to have to change the 6386 tubes... and that a matched set of 8 is going to run you at least a couple thousand dollars. If you have the $35k to get into one, then I suppose the couple thousand every year or so isn't going to be that much of a struggle... but if it could be a struggle, stay away.

We have an ADL 670 at the SP studio... I'd have to say its a very acceptable - close second to an original. Really excellent sounding box that does indeed add the "bwoosh" [can't think of any other way to describe it] thing that the original adds.

The EAR's are also lovely... but in many ways they're more "audiophile" than the original or the ADL. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and to many its a very good thing... but if you're looking for that "bwoosh" thing the EAR's seem to have less of it than the ADL or an original.

This is my perception... as always, YMMV.

Peace

[BillSimpkins]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Having tried all of the above... there still isn't anything like a well set up 670... it really is special. The bitch is getting one really well set up, and then keeping it that way. Its kinda like having a Ferrari... know in advance that an oil change is going to run you several thousand dollars as they have to pull the engine to change the oil. Same thing with a 670... know that every 4-5000 hours you're going to have to change the 6386 tubes... and that a matched set of 8 is going to run you at least a couple thousand dollars. If you have the $35k to get into one, then I suppose the couple thousand every year or so isn't going to be that much of a struggle... but if it could be a struggle, stay away.

We have an ADL 670 at the SP studio... I'd have to say its a very acceptable - close second to an original. Really excellent sounding box that does indeed add the "bwoosh" [can't think of any other way to describe it] thing that the original adds.

The EAR's are also lovely... but in many ways they're more "audiophile" than the original or the ADL. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and to many its a very good thing... but if you're looking for that "bwoosh" thing the EAR's seem to have less of it than the ADL or an original.

This is my perception... as always, YMMV.

Peace

I am partial to analog gear, but have you tried the 670 plugins (Waves, Bomb Factory, UA)? How do they compare to your hardware units? Color? "bwoosh"?

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by BillSimpkins

I am partial to analog gear, but have you tried the 670 plugins (Waves, Bomb Factory, UA)? How do they compare to your hardware units? Color? "bwoosh"?

This is what I always tell myself about plugs:

It's like comparing a real tube amp to a tube amp plugin.

That said, I've never had a $50k Fairchild.... but can the plugs possibly come close, can they?

What I need is a replicator, like in Star Trek. I'd need a vintage replicator, and not a reissue.

[BillSimpkins]

Originally Posted by baskervils

This is what I always tell myself about plugs:

It's like comparing a real tube amp to a tube amp plugin.

What I need is a replicator, like in Star Trek. I'd need a vintage replicator, and not a reissue.

I have plug-in versions of many pieces of hardware I own and yes, they are very different from the hardware. I had a specific question for Fletcher regarding his hardware and the plugins. Your philosophy on the subject is irrelevant here, but a replicator would be nice, especially for a vintage 670.

[Johnkenn]

I just played around with an Anamod 660 last week. I immediately ordered one. Really fantastic.

[bushwick]

SR71.

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by BillSimpkins

I have plug-in versions of many pieces of hardware I own and yes, they are very different from the hardware. I had a specific question for Fletcher regarding his hardware and the plugins. Your philosophy on the subject is irrelevant here, but a replicator would be nice, especially for a vintage 670.

No snarkiness intended. I can't compare these to the old ones, but the Fairchild compressor that I liked the best was the old OS9 Bomb Factory one, because it was like a distortion pedal. Technically, most people would call it junk. You could drive the hell out of it and it sounded overdriven and ridiculous.

I have the UA one. Ummmm, well, it doesn't sound like a big, weird, colorful tube compressor to me. Not even close. It's sometimes useful, though. They could have named it Skippy The Troll and stuck a psychedelic graphic plate on the front and I guarantee not a single person would have said "Geez, this really sounds like a Fairchild!!!!"

[Marcocet]

Originally Posted by baskervils

They could have named it Skippy The Troll and stuck a psychedelic graphic plate on the front and I guarantee not a single person would have said "Geez, this really sounds like a Fairchild!!!!"

Amazing. That's how I feel about every plug in compressor I've tried. I can understand from a sales perspective why they try to corollate them with cool pieces of hardware, but look the other way and they sound absolutely nothing alike. Not that they're unusable, they're extremely powerful tools on their own, they're just not hardware.

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by Marcocet

Amazing. That's how I feel about every plug in compressor I've tried. I can understand from a sales perspective why they try to corollate them with cool pieces of hardware, but look the other way and they sound absolutely nothing alike. Not that they're unusable, they're extremely powerful tools on their own, they're just not hardware.

In a way, I suppose it would be better to make plugs something entirely unique, which companies like Sound Toys do, but you are absolutely right. If you call it Fairchild, it will probably sell very well, or at least be more sell-able than Skippy the Compressor!

[RoundBadge]

I use the puigchild sometimes to smooth/level things out a bit,but the "fairchild" sound?

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by BillSimpkins

I am partial to analog gear, but have you tried the 670 plugins (Waves, Bomb Factory, UA)? How do they compare to your hardware units? Color? "bwoosh"?

There's a color... kind of a brown one... "bwoosh", not so far in this lifetime.

The plugins I've heard have nice graphics... I think the UAD one I used had the nicest graphics... but sonically? Its kinda like spanking the monkey while looking at animated porn featuring something that looks a lot like Gisele Bundchen as opposed to actually having your way with Mrs. Brady.

Best analogy I could come up with at the moment... you asked, I answered. I don't know what you were expecting... but this is the best I've got.

Peace

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

I use the puigchild sometimes to smooth/level things out a bit,but the "fairchild" sound?

Do you mean the PuiGchild WAVES plugins ?

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by bigbone

Do you mean the PuiGchild WAVES plugins ?

yes

[muziekschuur]

What was the price of a Fairchild new? And in what year(s) was it made?

[Dean Roddey]

Originally Posted by baskervils

I have the UA one. Ummmm, well, it doesn't sound like a big, weird, colorful tube compressor to me. Not even close. It's sometimes useful, though. They could have named it Skippy The Troll and stuck a psychedelic graphic plate on the front and I guarantee not a single person would have said "Geez, this really sounds like a Fairchild!!!!"

They couldn't do that because I own the trademark for Skippy the Troll on psychedelic graphic front panels. You'll be hearing from my lawyer for mentioning it without getting a release.

Weren't there some before/after samples in a previous original 670 vs. Anamod shootout a good while back?

[Dean Roddey]

Originally Posted by muziekschuur

What was the price of a Fairchild new? And in what year(s) was it made?

Whatever it is, assuming mid-60s to mid-70s, the actual price in today's dollars will be about 4 to 7 times that much, so you have to adjust to make it realistic. Still, it would have been a good invesment to pick up a bunch back in the 80s, even with inflation.

[uncle muscles]

Originally Posted by baskervils

No snarkiness intended. I can't compare these to the old ones, but the Fairchild compressor that I liked the best was the old OS9 Bomb Factory one, because it was like a distortion pedal. Technically, most people would call it junk. You could drive the hell out of it and it sounded overdriven and ridiculous.

I have the UA one. Ummmm, well, it doesn't sound like a big, weird, colorful tube compressor to me. Not even close. It's sometimes useful, though. They could have named it Skippy The Troll and stuck a psychedelic graphic plate on the front and I guarantee not a single person would have said "Geez, this really sounds like a Fairchild!!!!"

Absolutely right! The old BF one is my favorite too exactly for that reason

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by muziekschuur

What was the price of a Fairchild new? And in what year(s) was it made?

From what I've been told by people who were around at the time [I wasn't born yet] the 670 was made from '58 until the mid 60's. They went for around the upper $800 range at the time... about the same price as a decent "family" car.