I finally tried the SSL plugs.
Damn.......this is a tough purchase call for me.
First of all these emulations sound good.....very good.
I'm very familiar with SSL consoles and have recorded and mixed on them as a major label signed producer since 94'. These emulations are just about spot on.
I would need to be in a G series Room to do a true A/B but Damn, they sound like the real deal.
What makes this a tough purchase call is I can just about get the same sound with my UAD precision EQ, and Fairchild 670 on my stereo bus if I mix ITB. (It's not exactly the same, but I like what I hear) I use similar combinations when I mix OTB using stereo stems.
The SSL channel emulation is very cool but a bit of a CPU hog. Don't look to use it on all your tracks unless you're running on a G5 quad. I got 14 stereo track instances with a 85% cpu hit on my dual 1.8. 24 mono tracks with a 85% hit. This doesn't leave much room for the infamous DP cpu spikes.
All that said, if you want a great SSL emulation these are the current winners. Metric Halo's channel strip sucks compared to these (Sorry Splinter

) I used them back in the OS9 days and hated the eq and gate on them.
I like others in this forum hate WUP. I have a Gold Bundle with Renn MAX and doubt that I upgrade them. The only plugin I use religously is the Renn Comp. Everything else got replaced by my UAD plugs which I love.
I'm not trying to be a Waves hater. They make good plugins especially the L2, L3, Linear EQ, and The Renn. bundle.
However, thier update program is extortion like........anyway
Did I mention that UAD has partnered up with Neve and is currently emulating Neve ummm..........check it out for yourselves.
http://www.uaudio.com/news/releases/ua_neve.html
I love Neve
UAD might be the best place to put my money. They haven't let me down yet.