Most Popular Vintage Recording Gear in 2025
June 10, 2025
Welcome to Vintage Digital’s 2025 Top Ten Vintage Recording Gear. Each year we track the most loved effects processors, tape machines and delays, and this time there have been some interesting moves. Classics like the Yamaha SPX90 hold firm at the top, while newcomers such as the EMT 140 plate reverb have surged into the list. From warm analogue tape recorders to pioneering digital reverbs, this countdown highlights the gear that musicians and engineers are hunting down right now. Take a look to see which pieces climbed the ranks, which slipped, and which newcomers earned their place.
1. Yamaha SPX90 Multi-Effects Processor
Released in 1985, the Yamaha SPX90 remains the favourite vintage effects processor on Vintage Digital, holding the number one position for another year in 2025. Renowned for its versatile suite of effects and its limited bandwidth that imparts a distinctive colour to drums, guitars and vocals, the SPX90’s iconic Symphonic preset continues to attract enthusiasts and professionals alike. Many users also seek out the Yamaha SPX90 II, which offers the same core unit with extra memory for longer delay times and can often be acquired more affordably than the original. As interest in both models grows, prices are starting to climb, reaffirming the SPX90’s status as an enduring classic.
2. TASCAM 244 Portastudio
Introduced in 1982, the TASCAM 244 Portastudio has climbed from third to second place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 popularity rankings. This four-track recorder transformed home recording by bringing professional-quality sound into musicians’ own studios. Although modern digital audio workstations offer greater editing flexibility, the TASCAM 244 Portastudio’s warm analogue character and hands-on workflow continue to captivate users. Its mechanical limitations foster a creative, decision-making process during tracking, and its tactile controls encourage experimentation within its four-track format. As interest in authentic, nostalgic recording experiences grows, the TASCAM 244 Portastudio remains a much-loved tool for producers seeking a truly hands-on approach.
3. Lexicon 224 Digital Reverberator
Released in 1978, the Lexicon 224 is celebrated for its lush reverb and warm, rich tone and now sits in third place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings. Renowned for its distinctive ambience, the Lexicon 224 remains a coveted unit for musicians and engineers who favour its authentic character over modern digital plugins. Even after 45 years, its enduring appeal reflects the exceptional design and engineering that Lexicon perfected from the very start.
4. EMT 140 Plate Reverb
The EMT 140 plate reverb makes its first appearance in fourth place in Vintage Digital’s top ten for 2025, reflecting a notable surge in interest. First introduced in 1957 by EMT in Germany, this plate reverb is prized for its smooth, natural ambience and richly textured decay. Its fully analogue design, featuring a large steel plate suspended in a solid frame, delivers warmth and character that many find more engaging than modern digital emulations. As producers and engineers seek out distinctive, hands-on effects, the EMT 140’s unique sonic signature has driven renewed demand in studios and online marketplaces alike, securing its place among the most sought-after vintage processors.
5. Ensoniq DP/4 Parallel Effects Processor
Released in 1992, the Ensoniq DP/4 remains in fifth place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings. The Ensoniq DP/4 is prized for its depth and versatility, drawing on the company’s expertise in keyboards and samplers. Launched during Ensoniq’s peak, the DP/4 was ahead of its time with its excellent effects suite and four independent channels. Today its rich, multi-dimensional sound keeps it in high demand. The Ensoniq DP/4+ that followed matches the original’s quality while offering thoughtful tweaks to the interface, making it just as appealing.
6. Yamaha SPX990 Multi-Effect Processor
Released in 1993, the Yamaha SPX990 has climbed from seventh to sixth place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings. Boasting 80 preset effects and a high-quality reverb, the SPX990 builds on the success of earlier SPX models with enhanced sonic performance thanks to its 20-bit converters and a 106 dB noise floor. Its refined algorithms bring new clarity to classics such as the Symphonic preset, and its affordability makes it an attractive option for anyone after a versatile multi-effects processor with that unmistakable Yamaha character.
7. AMS DMX 15-80S Stereo Digital Delay
Now sitting in seventh place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings, the AMS DMX 15-80S digital delay dates back to 1978 when it was developed for the BBC. Celebrated for its precise delay control and pristine audio quality, the AMS DMX 15-80S has achieved studio-legend status, even as the TC Electronics TC 2290 often vies for the crown of best digital delay. These units command premium prices and rarely come onto the market. Given their delicate construction, AMS DMX and RMX devices are best collected in person rather than shipped.
8. Studer A827 24 Track Audio Recorder
Now sitting in eighth place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 popularity list, the Studer A827 24-track recorder, released in 1989, is still widely regarded as the finest 24-track analogue audio recorder ever made thanks to its exceptional recording quality. Although these machines were prohibitively expensive on release, a few years ago they could be picked up for relatively modest sums. In more recent years their value has risen again as scarcity grows and enthusiasts seek to recapture the golden age of analogue tape. Maintenance of the Studer A827 24-track recorder requires considerable expertise and dedication, so anyone venturing into analogue tape should do so with caution.
9. Lexicon 480L Digital Effects System
Now in ninth place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings, the Lexicon 480L digital reverb has set the gold standard since its 1988 debut. Revered in studios around the world for its lush, immersive reverberation, the 480L remains a studio legend. On the second-hand market these units command very high prices and rarely appear for sale, making ownership a truly aspirational pursuit. For those fortunate enough to secure one, the Lexicon 480L delivers an unparalleled reverb experience.
10. EMT 250 Digital Reverb
Now in tenth place in Vintage Digital’s 2025 rankings, the EMT 250 digital reverb dates from 1976 and is celebrated for its robust construction and sonic versatility. As the first commercially available digital reverb, it delivers not only lush ambience but also chorus and delay effects. Despite its venerable age, EMT 250 units still command prices well over ten thousand dollars, making them a rare and aspirational acquisition that continues to draw eager interest from collectors and engineers alike.
Whether you’re drawn to the warm saturation of analogue tape or the crystalline sheen of vintage digital effects, this year’s top ten reveals what classic gear today’s musicians and engineers value most. From steadfast legends like the Yamaha SPX90 to exciting newcomers such as the EMT 140 plate reverb, each piece tells its own story of innovation and character. Keep exploring Vintage Digital for deep dives, buying tips and inspiration on how to bring these timeless processors, delays and recorders into your own creative workflow.
