I know the differences just curious what owners might chime in on. I’m contemplating a used API 6 slot with a Bereich density to start with. Or get an ssl bus + and be done / skint.
I’d get the SSL and be happy. Less distractions and money spent.
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To me, the main advantage of the 500 series with that API is the portability factor. It’s easier to bring a 500 series rack around than a full 19" rack. You also have much more flexibility in changing out the signal path with different modules and keeping it fresh, which could be good or bad. I’ve wondered this as well.
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That’s the thing. I just bought a house and have a very cool basement which is my studio so the portability doesn’t really mean much in this instance. I’m drawn to the bereich stuff though it seems to be very well designed at a good price.
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Yes indeed. I had a fusion with a Manley elop but they got sold to get over the line buying the house. Now I miss them but want to try something new. I have an ssl six so thought having some other variety with 500 would be interesting. But yes, you end up spending the same as the bus +.
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That makes sense. I have the fusion too and love it dearly. I totally get the wanting to try other stuff too since these aren’t exactly the kind of things one usually buys too often anyways. 
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Watching done bus+ vids tonight and it’s quite involved….
500 for its portabiity! I have Wes Audio Dione and 2 neve 542 in a Benso 6s case. Very happy to be able to take it home easily and work from there too.
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But ofcourse more expensive then a ssl fusion.
I would go Bus+. It’s got so much going on. Multiple flavors of dynamics, saturation, dynamic eq(!), transient enhancement, mid/side. It’s an incredibly well thought out box and all the demos sound really good. The dynamic eq alone is worth it IMO. The only other analog dynamic eq’s I can think of (the Goly dynamic eq’s) cost at least double, and that’s for a box that just focuses on that one function.
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I have the Density. It’s awesome!
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I like the demo on the website do you use it on final mix? That’s what I’m looking for, that last 5-10%
Yes. Individually, I usually use it on drums and if I want something dirtied up, and I also use it on the final mix which was also my primary reason for purchase.