Anyone who has used both have experience with these EQs? I currently own an API channel which I love. I recently ordered a CAPI 312 platinum preamp and next I'd like to consider buying their LC25 EQs and possibly a few BT50s. How do they hold up compared to the API stuff?

Thanks!

I haven't compared them side to side but the capi VP28 and lc25 and BT50 are excellent preamps and eq's. I use them all daily. I used to work on an api desk a long time ago and they have a similar vibe. Highly recommended.

I own API 550A , LC25, BT50's, and have used 550B's a lot.

#1 hands down (for me) is the 550A or A-1.
#2 the LC25
#3 /#4 tie - the BT50 / 550B. I'm warming up a bit to the BT50, but honestly, I can't find it's sweet spot, or preferred op-amps (and I've tried a lot).

I know I'm the exception on the BT's, but that's my thoughts....

You are literally the only person I know who doesn't love the BT50s but hey...to each his own! Either way, I still love you doc <3

Maybe I should send you a pair of my soon to come CA-0252 opamps to try in them? In our prelim tests they are indistinguishable from the vintage 2520's I have laying about. There's something magic about grandma's recipe.

hahahahhhhaaaaaa!!! I know, Jeff. LOL. Go figure. I guess there's just something weird about me. I always end up scratching my head......not sure why, but....

HOWEVER -- I do love the LC25's, and a smidge less the LC40's (but only due to freq selection - I just resonate more with the 25's freq selection.) I actually need another 25 and another 40 so I have pairs!!! Got to get to that this year.

All that said, I am warming up to the BT50's as of late. I know you will be glad to hear that. I'm not sure why, but I'm off the Americana stuff I've been entrenched in the last couple of years and pretty heavily mixing EDM and Orchestral stuff right now, and they are sounding more "right" to me. I have not given up on them yet, and I'd love to try your new op amp. . There's been something that doesn't sit exactly right for me with every op amp combo I've tried - and I've tried most of the usual suspects. The only thing I haven't done is "mixed" em up in the different positions. I've always put same into both receivers. But yeah, hit me up when you're ready -- I love to get a taste of grandma's recipe!!!

And thanks for the kind words. You know I love you and CAPI too!!!

I preferthe BT 50 to the 550Bs personally ....
I adore the LC25s...
In general the capi eqs sound more forgiving than the new api stuff to my ear.
no disrespect to the Doc...

I use the LC series all the time and love them.smooth creamy.
I also adore the BT50's.have 6.
replaced every modern API 550 I had with them.
if you put a new one alongside a BT on kick drum identical settings the modern API versions sound anemic.the BT sounds right.
sitting alongside the 70's ones in my console.
Id say they lean more towards an older 550 verus a 550a but in my world more or less interchangeable.

I've owned new 550a, vintage 550a and also Capi B50. I really like the B50, getting more of them soon. I like them so much, I bought the cape SumBus. Gamechanger. Especially when it's run through Burl Audio...

I will say that my experience with 550A's has been vintage (OLD!!!) units.

Also, on a side note, I ended up using the BT50's quite a bit on my last couple of albums.

I have found my LC’s (one of each) to be pretty vanilla unfortunately. But headroom for days and def useful. My TAVs are my fav 500 eq’s by a margin but that’s just me.
My VP28s are my fav pres though. Sound great on literally everything/anything! I have JLM amps in them at present.

They’re not as aggressive as tav or 560’s but got a smooth creamy vibe I love on vocals ac guitars etc
That EA input tx adds the vibe

Is that the Litz one RB?

I think he means Ed’s iron?
What amps are you boys using in your LC’s? I think I’ve got GAR’s.

I have 2-vp312's, 2-vp26's, 2-LC25's and 2-BT50's and a FC526 compressor.
Love them all except 1 of my BT50's high band makes some serious noise.
I've never used an Api 550 but I do have waves and UAD. I have no problems using UAD after tracking through the capi's. I really like the LC25's on drums and when it's the right frequency, it kills on percussion. I've made a semi small console with 2 Api racks. 8 pre's and 8 eq's for tracking.
Capi's are cool.

That's what in my units.

I think I've got Rogue 5's or GAR's - can't remember. But I'm going to put the new Rogue 6's in them as soon as I can get some, because I LOVE the way those sound.

The LC eqs have a metal can mic input tx
The litz are output tx.
I’ve got em all over my console
Really Really good.

RB I would love to see a pic of your studio some day.

drBill... Give Grandma's recipe a listen. These are really old school nice.
Grandma knows what she's doing !!

Gary

Hey Gary! I don't know who Grandma is, but I'm really digging the new Rogue 6 opamps from LTL. They are definitely more "old school" than the Rogue 5's. Almost like one step away from a brighter API vibe towards a more relaxed Neve vibe. Super cool for certain applications. But....let me know where to talk to Grandma. I know she probably has here secrets!! Haha!!

See Uncle Jeff !!

Gary

??? Grandma needs a better marketing team I guess..... Either that or I'm so far outside the loop that I'm clueless....

https://capi-gear.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=629

Just noticed on Jeff's site that unit now ships with a CA2622 in place of the EA2622. Anyone know if this is this a rebrand of the same Ed Anderson product?

I have a tech friend who built whatever the 550 one is and I was very impressed with it. FWIW, I own 550A/5500 and work in a spot that has 550Bs and found it most similar to the 550A. I remember really liking the top end on it.

It's been awhile but I now own 2 BT50's with Red Dots and 2 LC25's with the new 0252 op amps. I also own 2 Platinum Vp312's and 2 Api 312 50th Anniversary editions.

Here are my thoughts;

BT50 (red dots) - Much better than the new Api 550a reissue, which sounds like it has a massive bandpass filter on it in comparison. I do admit I like the 550b more than the 550a though.

LC25 (0252) - The op amp swap made these significantly better. AMAZING on drums or hard transient material. It really pushes the sound forward. I use mine specifically for kick and snare 100% now. Even running signal through these flat makes it sound much bigger and more "tough!"

Vp312 Platinum (stock op amps) - For me these are the best when you want a darker, smoother, more chill vibe. I like it better than the new API 512c.

Api 312 50th Anniversary Edition - My favorite preamp. Amazing balanced tone with a very forward punchy sound. I like it "better" than the Vp312 platinum if I could only use one for the rest of my life, but the Vp312 platinum is a very welcome addition for tonal options and usually is a better choice with slower music, singer / songwriter stuff, or film score work (depending on the vibe). I guess it just depends how I feel that day lol.

Between my Api 312 Anniversary, Vp312, and Bae 1073 MP, I am a very happy engineer. ^_^

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Hey Roundbadge! I own a pair of LC25’s and a pair of LC40’s. Want to get a pair of BT50’s. What’s your favorite op-amp combo in those? I will use them for (heavy) electric guitars, overheads and maybe some vocals. Thanks! Frank

I would have to jump in and say the CA-0252 would be my first choice. Roundbadge has not heard them yet AFAIK. As soon we get some factory assembled/potted ones ready I plan on sending him a pair to test drive. People have been absolutely loving the kits the last few months since their release. Our factory built ones will be slightly different in that we have NOS transistors for the TIS97s and are using BC414C for the input pair (found in early original 2520s) where the kits have BC237C.

I can't decide between a 25 or a 40! Would be very interested in the rationale/why these frequency points were chosen. Best wishes.

Firstly, I was set on the LC25 freq's. Great for kick or snare and a nod to early graphics like the UREI 535. Some pro friends of mine suggested a few in-between frequencies specifically 75 for bass so they would compliment. I ended up at 80Hz which also gives a nice 320Hz cut freq for drums. Some people actually run them in series.