Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
UAD Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection is the licensed Neve channel amp/EQ emulation for Apollo Unison tracking and UAD-2 DSP mixing color.
UAD Pultec Passive EQ Collection includes EQP-1A, MEQ-5, and HLF-3C tube EQ emulations for musical low-end boosts, mid sculpting, and filters.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, UAD Pultec Passive EQ Collection comes out ahead (8.7). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | UAD Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection | UAD Pultec Passive EQ Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149+ | $39+ |
| Dubspot Score | 8.6 | 8.7 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | Mic/line preamp + 3-band EQ channel (Neve 1073) | Passive tube EQ collection |
| Licensing | Official Neve-licensed UAD plugin | — |
| Platform | Requires Apollo interface or UAD-2 Accelerator/PCIe (per UA product FAQ) | Native macOS/Windows; Apollo/UAD-2 versions where licensed |
| Unison | Realtime preamp impedance and gain-stage modeling with Apollo | — |
| Circuit notes | Dual-stage preamp, three-band EQ, post-fader output amp behaviors modeled | — |
| Trial | 14-day demos via UAD software for hardware owners | 14-day demos available |
| Units | — | EQP-1A, MEQ-5, HLF-3C |
| Classic uses | — | Bass/kick lows, vocal air, mid power region, lo-fi filtering |
| Authorization | — | iLok account |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.