Heritage Audio Herchild 670From real comments

Verdict distilled from 35 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 35 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want Fairchild-style tube compression at a lower cost than vintage originals or high-end clones
  • You need a versatile compressor for mix bus, mastering, vocals, bass, or room mics
  • You value the visible DC threshold control over the original's hidden trim pot

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're not prepared to pay several thousand dollars for a compressor
  • You require an onboard bypass switch for quick A/B comparisons during sessions
  • You want the full multi-tube, hand-wired build found in pricier clones like the Stamchild

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
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Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
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Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Heritage Audio Herchild 670
Rich, Musical ToneVersatile Across ApplicationsAffordable Path to Fairchild SoundHigh Price PointNo Bypass SwitchFewer Tubes Than Rival Clones
Heritage Audio Herchild 670
Rich, Musical Tone
Versatile Across Applications
Affordable Path to Fairchild Sound
High Price Point
No Bypass Switch
Fewer Tubes Than Rival Clones

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Most listeners are won over by the Herchild 670's smooth, musical tone across many program types. Commenters repeatedly call the unit 'gorgeous,' 'glorious,' and 'silky smooth,' noting it sounds fat on kick and snare, transparent on vocals compared to units like the Avalon VT-737, and magical on mix bus and mastering chains. Studio owners report using it successfully on mono room mics and bass parallel compression. One reviewer's video reportedly changed a skeptic's opinion of the whole Herchild line, reinforcing that its tonal character, not just its price, is winning people over.

Price remains the most debated aspect of the Herchild 670. Several commenters call the multi-thousand-dollar price 'ridiculous' or say it isn't '10 grand good,' while others push back, arguing it's built for professionals who recoup the cost through paid work. Multiple people note it's still far cheaper than an original vintage Fairchild or a Manley Vari-Mu, calling it a genuine value proposition. Some are saving up to buy one, while others opt for the cheaper Grandchild 670 instead.

A handful of hardware details draw criticism from more technical listeners. Several commenters are surprised the unit ships without a bypass switch, calling it strange and questioning how a fair demo can skip that comparison. Others contrast its four-tube, PCB-based design against hand-wired clones like the Stamchild with far more valves, wondering how much that affects tone. One user reported the input being unusually hot and prone to clipping, while another found the sound harsh rather than smooth on headphones.

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