WesAudio RHEA NG500 500 Series Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor

Vintage Soul Meets Future Control

The WesAudio RHEA is a 100% analogue, stereo Vari-Mu tube compressor that bridges the gap between classic valve musicality and modern digital efficiency. Designed for mixing and mastering engineers who demand the legendary "glue" of high-voltage tubes but require the precision of plugin-style recall, the RHEA provides an uncompromising solution for the professional studio. Whether you are smoothing out a vocal bus or adding weight to a final master, RHEA delivers the rich harmonic character only genuine valves can provide.

Rich Harmonic Character and Headroom
At the heart of RHEA are two new-old-stock (NOS) Russian 6N3P dual-triode valves and premium Carnhill interstage transformers. This high-voltage architecture operates at 160V to ensure a massive +24dBu of headroom, allowing you to push your signal without losing clarity or transient detail. The result is a sound that adds immediate weight, thickness, and a pleasing "sheen" to any source material, particularly effective for drum buses and stereo masters.

Next-Generation Workflow Precision
RHEA is part of the innovative ng500 (Next Generation 500 Series) standard. While the signal path remains purely analogue, the unit features full digital control via a dedicated DAW plugin (VST2/VST3/AU/AAX). This allows you to automate analogue parameters, save unlimited presets, and achieve Total Recall instantly when reopening a session. Connection is simple: use the front-panel mini-USB or slot it into a WesAudio _TITAN chassis for seamless integration over a single cable.

Creative Tonal Sculpting
Beyond standard compression, RHEA acts as a versatile tone-shaping tool. The THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) switch offers two distinct modes (Medium and High) to saturate your signal with beautiful analogue colour. For more aggressive processing, a dedicated Saturation Mode can disable the compression circuit entirely, transforming the unit into a powerful tube saturator. Combined with a dry/wet Mix knob for parallel compression, RHEA offers unparalleled creative flexibility in a 500-series format.

Main features:

• True stereo tube "Vari-Mu" style compression circuit
• NOS Russian 6N3P dual-triode valves responsible for gain reduction and amplification
• High-voltage tube operation (160V) for exceptional headroom and low noise
• Custom Carnhill interstage transformers for enhanced low-end weight and focus
• Front-panel Mix knob for automated parallel compression within your DAW
• Proprietary THD modes (Medium and High) for selectable harmonic saturation
• Dedicated Saturation Mode to use the tube stage as a standalone drive circuit
• Three-frequency sidechain high-pass filters (60 Hz, 90 Hz, 150 Hz)
• Full digital recall and DAW automation of all analogue parameters
• Standalone hardware A/B memory slots for instant setting comparisons
• Compatible with standard 500 series racks and WesAudio ng500 systems
• True hardware bypass ensures total signal integrity when not in use

Tech Specs:

• Type: Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 150 kHz (-3 dB)
• Total Harmonic Distortion (No Comp): < 0.03% (1 kHz, 0 dBu)
• Max Signal Level (Headroom): +24 dBu
• Crosstalk: < -80 dB
• Attack Times: 0.5, 1, 3, 10, 20, 50 ms
• Release Times: 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.8, 3.6 s
• Sidechain Filter: Off, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, 150 Hz
• THD Modes: Medium (1%), High (3%)
• Input Impedance: 20 kΩ
• Output Impedance: < 100 Ω
• Bypass: True hardware relay bypass
• Module Type: 500 Series / ng500 (Double slot format)
• Computer Connection: Front Panel Mini-USB or via WesAudio _TITAN Chassis
• Power Consumption: 190 mA per rail
• Dimensions: 76 x 133 x 158 mm
• Weight: 0.95 kg
• Explore WesAudio Premium Analogue Gear [_RHEA]: https://wesaudio.com/product/_rhea/