Fantastic unit.Borrowed from my dealer. There is 100% music in it.Especially gain before whole compression part makes punch and fatness just like class A one channel guitar amp- from clean to almost crunchy , fat ...It works fantastic on stereo acoustic guitars , piano , bass and vocal-this is just my main need - Phoenix makes average mic much better -sound is richer and more detailed , compression is natural and round .There is one problem -price.Maybe i`ll buy this compressor but i would like to know if there are some alternatives.One channel tube comp like LA2A would be enough for me if it has the same character.Please give me some examples.

Great unit.love it.
I saw one in the classifieds recently for 3200.00. check it out

My voice never sounded better than through an Earlybird preamp >>> phoenix comp. Really detailed with a very classy sheen and fatness/bigness thumbsup

Everything so far from Thermionic Culture is nothing less than excellent.
There are more coloured comps or more precise, faster whatever, but for thing that Phoenix does I don't see any real alternative.
Pull the trigger and buy it. hehNo chance to regret.

The Pheonix is amazing. I'd like to see a mastering version with better build quality, a side chain filter and stepped controls.

They have released a revised version that I auditioned and bought on the spot. It's called the "M" version for mastering and is detented. It also is faster. I auditioned one a year ago and didn't buy it because of the build quality, but this version is solid. I agree that a sidechain would be a nice addition, but alas.......

how would it compare with the Manley vari mu?

Spasiba GYang!
Could you tell me which tube comp could be more coloured? I wouldn`t say that Phoenix isn`t coloured - it has very wide range of tube saturation really and it reminds me all those old records from late 60`s full of warm vocals and acoustic guitars and lately i`ve discovered fantastic Johnny Cash records done by Rick Rubin .They are masterpiece i think.I haven`t had opportunity to test LA2A but i suppose it has similar vibe as Thermionic Culture - isn`t it?

The Phoenix sounds nothing like an LA2a.
I'd associate the warm old vibe more with old RCA limiters or Fairchilds,Ear 660,etc.
although you can drive the Phoenix into some cool harmonics,i'd say overall it's circuit is more on the cleaner side compared to older stuff.

It is a matter of personal taste. I had a couple of Manley vari mu units. Did not like them. Too much like powdered sugar on the mix for me. Do not have them any more.
I loved the Phoenix in comparision. Build quality and detents were not an issue for me. I later sold it to a GS person during a finanical cash flow situation. That GS person can probably tell you whether it is still operating well and I assume it is. I would love to buy a Phoenix again!

I do all kinds of music, rock, pop, movies and even classical
I mainly use my Manley in the stereo buss
do you think the Phoenix would be good for the more "clean" stuff like classical?

Thats me
Still working well.
I also generally prefer the Phoenix to the Vari-Mu.
although the V-mu still has its thing,I don't use it as much as I used to

I'd imagine it'd be great for classical stuff.

Indeed.
I would say clean with mojo. LA2A very different, less clean definitely, but for different purpose it's what doctor ordered.
I use mine almost two years full throttle. don't quite understand point about 'build quality' (quality of what - components, wiring, box itself). Mine works perfectly

Build quality on my units is rock solid.never any issues other than the usual meter recal.

This is going to sound corny, but the Phoenix reminds me of the color blue, my favorite color. And it puts a hint of it on everything it touches. I sure miss it.
I will have to check my finances soon.

I would much prefer it for classical than the Manley. Now to be fair to Manley, I have not tried their t mod version. That may be a different story. Also, it is a matter of taste. I might like blue and someone else might like green. (Just look at all the different donuts in a donut shop - obviously there is a market for each different one.)

I would bet there are die hard Manley fans that prefer nothing else. And they are built like military aircraft carriers.

I probably shouldn't blog this late at night. Enjoy.

Phoenix is my number compressor ! Just magic glue....
For people who wants serious low end. Try combi Phoenix and Drawmer 1968 with the BIG switch on

I like this unit a lot for certain things but I'll be the contrarian here and say it's not my favorite for many things as well. Not crazy about it on the vocals compared to 1968, vari mu's, Summit tla-100, Ba6a -didn't have as much character and a little dark. Still prefer a 1968 or vari mu with hi pass side chain on the buss. That being said, I love love it on drums and percussion -very nice as a parallel comp.

As for build quality, had some tubes go out and took about 3 months to get replacements from them, now the unit is making noise and they think it's a transformer. Maybe mine's a lemon, lol?

I do like this comp, but given the many options in my rig it's just another very good comp, not the end all magic that works on everything.

I reckon it sounds like AC/DC in a box... big strong hard rock sound...
Haven't done much testing, but initial impressions were very very good. The thermionic stuff is really good.

Tomorrow i`ll ordering one of these :
Phoenix......
or Pendulum ES-8 - i don`t know this unit but i`m tempted by featured presets and lower price.....
But what i really need- i don`t need mastering tool - i need classy comp with sensitive gain for vocals and acoustic guitars ...if Pendulum let me find good settings for drums (ambience , group) i will be happy .
Phoenix is great but i haven`t had enough time to test it on drums ...
Which to choose?

DW. Fearn VT-7?

Phoenix. If you want extra clean and save $$ - go with BUZZ SOC - great on acoustic guitars, vocals, etc.

If I were to pull something out of my ass having never heard your work, had no idea of your sense of aesthetic or your goals... I'd recommend a Pendulum Audio OCL-2 or a Manley Vari-MU... but the Phoenix is really sweet!!!

THERMIONIC CULTURE ALL VALVE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL AUDIO EQUIPMENT

PLEASE PLEASE send me one. I will let everyone know what it is like. That is one beautiful compressor. How much is that mastering unit anyway?

THE PHOENIX is awesome!!! It has lived on my mix bus for over two years now. Nothing like an LA2A or Manley or Pendulum, IMHO. Big, fat AND clear! If you don't like it, then you don't like tube compressors. It's worth the money.

Word.
We have two.
Love your work man!
Peter, did you use it on the mix buss for the last National record?

I can't resist M version.
Will keep old one, definitely.
No slightest problems so far, M version added just everything what one might wish from original one.

Hi, RounBadge. Yes, indeed! I did use THE PHOENIX on all the BOXER mixes. As I mentioned, I really haven't mixed a record without it for over two years...actually it's more like three years. Every now and then, I'll try to NOT use it...but then I can't resist, and I go right back to it. I set it so the meters never really show more than about 1 db of gain reduction, but the input gain has so much character and ooomph. I've used many, many high end stereo compressors, but I truly believe THE PHOENIX is in a class by itself.

Quick question: Has anyone noticed the MASTERING version of THE PHOENIX to be slightly cleaner than the original??? I have one right now as a loaner while my unit is being repaired, and that's my impression for whatever reason.

What does the mastering version go for?
THANKS.

Hey Peter,
I love the sound of that National Album too...great job. Did you use the Neotek's preamps/eq's for tracking drums on that album?
Thanksthumbsup