I have a UA6176 and best part of it is the compressor (1176LN). You can split the compressor from the pre and run another stand-alone pre through it.

Nick

I use a 2-610 into an 1176 and it is a great combo. Solid choice. David

What's with all the pussie cats??????

Nick

No man, I think it's, "Who Let the Dogs Out???".
Any other questions? David

I recently worked in a studio with four of these units. The pre's sounded soft to my ears and broke up way too early. I found myself using api, neve, and amek9098 instead. The compressors did not stand up to the actual 1176 also in the rack (black face).

The circuit in the 6176 is identical to an 1176. David

Old equipments quality controll varied quite often. Plus its old, aging makes gear sound different.

i don't care what they say or disclaimers about "aging", the compressor sounds different than the 1176.
not bad, just different.

but leaving that aside... the mic pre sounds really adequate at best.
I'd much more recommend buying another mic pre and an 1176 if that's what you want.
if you want something to push into gentle distortion i'd try the Manley VoxBox

Originally posted by David_Doc_Herbert:
I use a 2-610 into an 1176 and it is a great combo. Solid choice. David

For what kinds of applications?