I thought the version WITH the processing brought out the transients and helped settle the vocal. How far were you compressing?
I used the RNLA Monday night for a solo acoustic recording, with the RNLA on the 2-buss of my Trident. (Signal path: AEAR84 left, Neumann KM84i R, into 1024, into Trident, into RNLA, into Masterlink). With a very gentle setting, it barely touched meters but gave a gentle focus and a touch of color to a cold living room (hey, not my call- the musician's.)
Not a bad box- lots of good options, to squeeze, or to color subtlely.
JvB