Universal Audio 175 B #1188 (Vintage)

Rare tube compressor/limiter that adds a thick texture and euphoric halo around any signal passing through it. These are labor intensive units to restore, but our tech staff performs this work beautifully.



Introduced in 1961, the 175 is similar to its cousin the Urei 1176; the Input control sets the threshold while Output sets the output gain. The compression is at a fixed ratio of 12:1. The meter can be switched to view Input, Output, or Gain Reduction (GR). Both Input and Output gain controls are stepped at intervals of 2dB, but finer controls within these increments are obtained by using the “Vernier” controls.

Adjustable attack time from 100 to 1000 ms; adjustable release from 27 to 527 ms. Similar to the 1176, both switches are set at their fastest in the clockwise position, and the compression circuit can be clicked off using the attack knob.

There are also “Double Tip” Input and Output jacks; the original cables for these had two 1/4” jacks at both ends of the cable. These can be bypassed by using the included XLR pigtails.