Best Selling Outboard Gear of 2023

2023 is drawing to a close, which means it’s time to look back at this year’s big hitters in pro audio gear. With a mix of all-time classics and impressive new releases, our list of the best-selling outboard gear is a treasure trove of EQs, compressors, preamps, and more.

SSL SIX CH 500 SERIES CHANNEL STRIP

This versatile channel strip module first cracked the top five in 2021, took the silver last year, and now sits atop the list for 2023. Based on the beloved SiX desktop mixer, the SSL SiX CH packs a SuperAnalogue microphone preamp, responsive two-band EQ, and a single-knob compressor into a deceptively simple 500 Series module. The SSL SiX CH has everything you need for top-quality mic/line recording, powered by the refined design and attention to detail you’d expect from SSL.

NEVE 1073SPX MICROPHONE PREAMP/EQ

The Neve 1073LB 500 Series preamp has been one of our top-selling outboard gear for five years straight—and this year, the full-sized 1073SPX has stepped up to the plate. The 1073SPX features the same analog components and design as the original unit, offering the same classic sound heard on countless records. This version also sports some modern updates to better suit modern workflows, including a front-panel DI input, true bypass insert, input and output level meters, and an additional mic/line input.

SPL BIG 500 SERIES STEREO EXPANDER

True to its name, the SPL BiG stereo expander takes your mixes to bigger, wider, and bolder places. With just three simple yet versatile controls, the BiG lets you shift different frequency ranges within your soundscape, crank the intensity of your tone shaping, and craft everything from subtle openness to wide-open stereo spaces.

RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS PORTICO 542 500 SERIES TAPE EMULATOR

Rupert Neve’s “True Tape” circuit is in a class all its own, so it’s no surprise that the Portico 542 preamp is on this year’s list. Equipped with 100% analog tape emulation circuitry, the 542 adds rich third-order harmonics and that quintessential warmth associated with tape saturation. Plus, with two selectable IPS modes and Silk profiles (aka the “Instant Audio Enhancer” button), you’ll find that the 542 pairs well with almost any source.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO 1176 LN CLASSIC LIMITING AMPLIFIER

There’s a reason this unit has the word “Classic” in its name. The UA 1176 LN is a faithful recreation of the original studio staple, the first peak limiter with all-transistor circuitry. From its lightning-quick attack times to its unmistakable “all buttons in” squash, the 1176 has a sound, feel, and vibe unlike any other FET-style compressor.

API 550A

Placing in the top 10 outboard gear list for a second year in a row, the API 550A is a workhorse EQ designed by the legendary Saul Walker. The straightforward three-band design, with 15 EQ points and a 12dB of boost/cut per band, allows for surgical frequency cuts, bell-shaped boosts, and anything in between.

CRANBORNE AUDIO CARNABY 500 SERIES HARMONIC EQ

Right behind a modern-classic EQ, we have a newly-released EQ that’s already a classic in the making. The Carnaby 500 made a splash earlier this year as the world’s first Harmonic EQ, which uses harmonic saturation to boost and cut your frequencies across three bands. The result? Highly musical EQ shaping plus analog warmth and impact—a unique sound that's truly unlike anything else.

SHADOW HILLS INDUSTRIES MONO GAMA 500 SERIES MIC PREAMP - EXCLUSIVE COPPER

The original, black-panel Shadow Hills Mono GAMA has made numerous appearances on our year-end lists, but this year is the debut of the Vintage King exclusive (and incredibly cool) copper version. Behind the slick, steampunk-esque enclosure is the same sound and features that made the Mono GAMA so loved: Jensen transformers, three distinct preamp profiles, and a vintage-meets-versatile tone that brings mojo and punch to your sound. Plus, this exclusive Copper edition offers a brand new "stack" setting for a fresh new sound.

TRIDENT 80B EQ 500 SERIES 4-BAND EQ

Back in the 70s, the Trident 80B EQ elevated countless rock records with its distinctly punchy midrange and impactful low end. Today, the 80B EQ 500 continues that legacy as a compact 500 Series unit, bringing the tones loved by Elton John, David Bowie, and Stevie Wonder (just to name a few) to modern-day rigs.

TUBE-TECH CL 1B OPTICAL TUBE COMPRESSOR

This big blue box has been a must-have piece of gear for every studio since its debut in the early 90s—and given its multiple appearances on our year-end lists, that continues to be true. Smooth as butter and warm like a blanket, the CL 1B’s famous compression profile is a match made in heaven for vocalists, guitars, and bass. This versatility is why you’re equally likely to hear this unit on a rap track as you are a classic rock song.

Check out more of the best-selling gear of 2023 on our blog!

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the outboard gear mentioned in this blog, we're here to help! Contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.