Tape Op Reviews the 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

“…rather than clone an old circuit with limitations, they have created an all-new compressor with greatly expanded features that is every bit as good sonically as its famous predecessors, yet much more versatile and powerful.”

“I also noticed that the noise floor is much lower than other diode bridge compressors I have used – the 5254 is about 20 dB quieter than a vintage 2254!”

“Immediately, I was struck by the tone, regardless of whether or not compression was happening. The 5254 has a gorgeous, silky top end and a punchy, thick low end that I have come to associate with equipment designed by Rupert Neve. It’s a quite colorful box, and what a lovely color it is! The compression can be subtly transparent or very aggressive, and it performs both tasks in an equally musical manner.”

“It has all the fabulous tone and character of the old-school diode bridge compressors, with a much lower noise floor and far greater control options. The 5254 is a unique-sounding modern classic that stands out to me as one of the most sonically pleasing, versatile new compressors I have heard in many years.”

– Anthony Gravino, Tape Op Magazine (Issue #152, Nov/Dec 2022) –