Shadow Hills gear - thoughts/reviews/interesting quips

[TimS]

I was going to go down the EQ (API or Arsenal) route to fill the remainder of my lunchbox, but after an informative discussion with guys in the know, I'm going to look for more flavours in mic pres.. I have EQ in my Auditronics pres as well as my 622B..

Shadow Hills seems to get very favourable and nice reviews. Is anyone using any of their mic pre (or other for that matter) gear, and has anyone tried their Mono GAMA 500 series module? It based on a single channel of the Golden Age Microphone Amp.
I'm thinking either the Shadow Hills, Avedis MA5 or a Great River MP-500NV..

[Chinagraf]

Hey Tim, the Gamma does look awesome, I like the switchable transformer option, but alas I have only heard samples not actually used one. One thing I will say, I have the Great River M1NV, and while it is a good pre it is not as good as a 1073. In my case I have a Shep SN8 (Hi Dave) which is identical pre-wise to the 1073 (a licensed custom replacement just extra eq points). It still blows the Great River away. The GR is handy with the different loading option and it always sounds good. Until I record the same part with the Shep and it is bigger, fuller and 'realer' if that is a word. I haven't tried the MA5 but from all reports it is just as good.

[musikwerks]

I have a Shadow Hills Mono Opto 500 compressor and it is just outstanding. Really well built and a great comp. A little on the pricey side but being hand made that's to be expected. With regards to the Gamma pre, with the Nickel, Discrete and Steel settings you get a good range of sounds out of the one box. In comparison the MA5 and the GR are one trick ponies.