Rupert Neve Designs 551

$999.00 to $1,015.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (1)

Find out who is using Rupert Neve Designs 551

2 community setups

1 wishlisted

12 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (33)

$999.00

View Deal

$999.00

View Deal

5.0 (1)

$999.00

View Deal

5.0 (8)

$999.00 9 available New

$800.00 8 available Used

$999.00

$999.00

$999.00

5.0 (10)

$1,019.00 $1,015.00 $4.00 · All time low

View Deal

4.9 (12)

$999.00

View Deal

Average Price: $981

High-end/Boutique

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, Rupert Neve Designs 551 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Rupert Neve Designs 551". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

The Rupert Neve Designs 551 is a 500 Series Equalizer that effortlessly bridges the gap between vintage charm and modern versatility, making it an essential tool for any serious audio engineer. Drawing inspiration from Rupert Neve's legendary console EQs, the 551 offers three bands of meticulously crafted equalization, perfect for enhancing the depth and character of your mix. With custom-wound inductors and transformers, this EQ delivers the rich, resonant bass and sweet highs that have defined classic Neve sound for decades.

The 551's low-frequency band is a standout feature, allowing you to switch between shelf and peak modes to sculpt your bass with incredible precision. The midrange band, reminiscent of the iconic 1073, is ideal for pushing vocals and instruments forward, while its proportional-Q response effectively tackles problematic frequencies. Meanwhile, the hybrid high-frequency band combines vintage inductor circuitry with modern capacitor-based designs, offering nuanced control over your high-end tones.

Designed with low-feedback, Class A discrete electronics, the 551 ensures that your audio retains its purity, free from low-level artifacts or harshness. Whether you're sweetening vocals or refining instrument tracks, the Rupert Neve Designs 551 is a masterful blend of the old and the new, capturing the essence of Neve's timeless sound in a compact, user-friendly format.

Key Features:

Custom-tapped inductor EQ inspired by vintage Neve designs
Three bands: low, mid, and high-frequency control
LF: Selectable shelf or peak mode at 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 100 Hz, and 220 Hz
MF: 6 selectable center frequencies with proportional-Q response
HF: Hybrid design with selectable 8 kHz or 16 kHz, peak/shelf modes
80Hz high-pass filter with 12dB/octave slope
Custom Rupert Neve transformers for authentic sound
Designed for the API 500 Series rack format

Owner's manual

Rupert Neve Designs 551 User Manual

Product specs

Type	500 Series EQ
Number of Channels	1
High Pass Filter	Yes
Number of Bands	3-Band
Boost/Cut Range	±15
Q Type	Selectable
Freq Range High	8kHz, 16kHz
Freq Range Mid	200Hz, 350Hz, 700Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, or 6kHz
Freq Range Low	35Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz, or 220Hz
Bypass	Yes
Frequency Response	20Hz-31.5kHz
Power Usage	±16V DC
Module Slot Size	Single

FAQs

What type of equalizer is the Rupert Neve Designs 551?: The Rupert Neve Designs 551 is a 500 Series Inductor Equalizer featuring a 3-band EQ with selectable Q type and a high-pass filter.
How many frequency bands does the Rupert Neve 551 offer?: The Rupert Neve Designs 551 offers a 3-band EQ, allowing for detailed frequency adjustments across high, mid, and low ranges.
Does the Rupert Neve 551 have a bypass function?: Yes, the Rupert Neve Designs 551 includes a bypass function, allowing you to compare the processed and unprocessed signals easily.
Is the Rupert Neve Designs 551 suitable for use in a 500 Series rack?: Yes, the Rupert Neve Designs 551 is designed as a single-slot 500 Series module, making it compatible with standard 500 Series racks.
What are the selectable mid frequencies on the Rupert Neve 551?: The Rupert Neve Designs 551 offers selectable mid frequencies at 200Hz, 350Hz, 700Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, and 6kHz.
What is the power requirement for the Rupert Neve Designs 551?: The Rupert Neve Designs 551 requires a ±16V DC power supply, typical for 500 Series modules.

Videos

Add video

tinbots

Rupert Neve Designs 551 in action

tinbots

Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor EQ 500 Series Equalizer Overview | Full Compass

Full Compass

Rupert Neve Designs 551 EQ Module - Sweetwater at Winter NAMM 2014

Sweetwater

Rupert Neve Designs 551 - NAMM 2014

Sound On Sound magazine

Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor EQ

Tough Sale

Rupert Neve Designs 551 500-Series Inductor EQ

soundpurestudios

Rupert Neve Designs 551 EQ #500series

CLEAN MUD VIDEOS

Rupert Neve 551 EQ

Max Bauhof

Rupert Neve 551 EQ. Big bottom, sparkling highs!

G Sharp Jamz

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Delivers exceptional sound quality, even at extreme settings
Offers subtle enhancements without altering original sound character
Mid band provides versatile sound sculpting capabilities
Lows are fat, highs are delicate, enhancing overall mix
Warm, detailed sound, especially noticeable on high frequencies
Compatible with a variety of setups, including Shelford
Provides a modern, open sound compared to vintage Neve models
HP filter praised for its effectiveness
Allows for passive sound coloration through its transformers
Ideal for tracking with its ability to get sound "right"

CONS

Customer service may be lacking in responsiveness for repairs/issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Rupert Neve Designs 551.

Comparisons

0 0

The RND 551 is noted for its coloration, while the API 550A is favored for its tight and solid mid-bass, especially in rock and metal genres.
Source
0 0

The RND 551's high band can sound harsh, and its mid band may feel too narrow for some users compared to the API 550A.
Source
0 0

The Chandler TG12345 MKIV and Crane Song Insignia are preferred over the RND 551 and API 550A for those seeking hardware EQs that aren't easily replaced by emulations.
Source
0 0

The DocDerr is mentioned as an alternative to a 500 series Distressor, though it features fixed attack, release, and ratio, affecting its flexibility.
Source
0 0

The Rupert Neve Designs 551 is described as raw and gritty, ideal for kick, snare, or bass, while the 8803 offers a wider, more pristine sound suited for vocals or piano.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The API 550A is often chosen for tracking drums and bass due to its aggressive sound, fitting well within rock and roll setups.
Source
0 0

Rupert Neve Designs 551 inductor EQs are praised for their smooth bus coloration, particularly useful for those seeking a refined analog character in their mix.
Source
0 0

Owners recommend the 8803 for more precise control on drum/master bus applications due to its versatility and robust functionality.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Some users feel that both the RND 551 and API 550A offer low impact per dollar spent, suggesting plugins as a more cost-effective alternative.
Source
0 0

The 551 was previously available for $1000 a pair, but recent price increases make the 8803 a more versatile and cost-effective choice for some users.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The RND 551 is described as having a distinctive color, which may appeal to those seeking a more characterful analog sound.
Source
0 0

The RND 551 is noted for its aggressive, transformer-based coloration, which provides a raw and in-your-face quality.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some users plan to purchase multiple RND 551 EQs, indicating a strong preference for their sound quality in bus processing and overall mix enhancement.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Users highlight the potential for power issues and buzzing due to shared power supplies in 500 series racks, influencing the choice between 500 series and 19" rack units.
Source