Current cost is £609 for a single unit or £1,499 for a stereo-linked pair (Nova Distribution 02). The use of an external wall-wart power supply might put off some however, this means that Warm Audio has spent money on the components that really matter. Designed to offer the character of the much-loved Revision D, the WA76 delivers all of the 1176’s legendary performance and sound at a fraction of the price of the hand-wired UA 1176. It features a fully discrete signal path and uses superb CineMag transformers. This attention to detail does come at a price, though, with a genuine UA 1176LN costing around £1,999 ( For a more affordable, yet still great-sounding take on the original, check out Warm Audio’s WA76. Specially trained staff hand-wire and test each unit, ensuring a no-compromise approach to quality. Universal Audio still manufactures the 1176LN, based upon the most revered revision of the original units. Many engineers like to pass audio through an 1176 even when no compression is required, taking advantage of the unit’s lovely full-bodied yet bright tone, which flatters the original signal. This effect is known as ‘all button mode’ or ‘British Mode’, giving a ratio somewhere between 12:1 and 20:1, for a dynamic effect that is particularly good on drum tracks and bass guitar. Long ago, engineers discovered an aggressive, yet musically pleasing style of compression achieved by selecting all four ratios simultaneously. The UREI 1176 is characterised by a big, clear and open sound, yet it will also happily contribute a degree of bite and grit when pushed hard. A subtle boost of lower midrange frequencies adds body and warmth. 12:1 and 20:1 – the unit is particularly good at processing vocals, especially when used in conjunction with the classic Teletronix LA-2A.
Designed by Bill Putnam using FET (Field Effect Transistor) technology, the 1176 went through several revisions during its infancy. Launched in 1967, the UREI 1176 limiter is the granddaddy of solid-state dynamics controllers.