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What's the best that's out there these days? I'm not talking about for live use/gigging, I'm talking about studio recording.

I had a real Rhodes in HS, and I remember nothing sounding anything like it, especially when it wasn't buried in a mix. Each note slightly different, super dynamic and sensitive, chunky and meaty sound, like a living organism. Lately my ear's been craving wurli sounds, tho. Is there anything that can touch the sort of warm aliveness of a real EP today in vst/au form? Or something like a Crumar Seven?

What about Hammond?

I've got a Nord Electro 5D that I use for the occasional live gig, and I've gotta say, while nice, it doesn't sound like its even in the same ballpark as the new Crumars, or the better vst/au. But for studio, I need something INDISTINGUISHABLE from the real thing.

Fwiw, I'm not convinced that vst/au replace analog synths, or even that modern analog 'quite' gets there (though the newest stuff, like the Behringer Moog seem almost indistinguishably close, if lacking a bit in dynamic range, and missing a tiny bit of richness in the oscillator, but this stuff's getting a lot better, tho I still wouldn't sell my original model D!). I've done a lot of a/b comparisons with this sort of stuff, I still think vintage analog synths have a small edge, but one that's worth it for me.

Basically, I'm a real purist for tone in general, so I'd rather get the real thing, even if cost and maintenance are much higher for the real thing.

But have we gotten so good with these yet that experts can't tell the difference with a blind a/b sort of test? What's the 'best' of the EP/Hammond reproductions in 2020, so I can make some comparisons myself?

First post ! I'm thinking of purchasing a Wurli. I already have a late 70's Rhodes Mk 1 Stage 73 I'm fixing up, similar to the one I had in HS years ago.

My primary use is recording (I'm not planning on taking it out to play live at all, though I do enjoy playing for my own enjoyment of course), and I plan to record using the aux out jack if possible, to avoiding issues with mic-ing, especially as I'm in a small apartment and making 'too' much noise isn't great (but medium to semi-loud levels are ok at right time of day).

Because I already have the Rhodes to complement it, I'm looking for the Wurli to provide as much bark, bite, and harmonic character as possible. I feel like I've got the Rhodes already for warmth, though I do tend to adjust my Rhodes away from bell-like tones that I'm not a fan of.

After reading a bunch of posts here, I'm trying to figure out the best model for my needs.

I've read up a lot on the diffs, between tubes and solid state, class-A amplifier and not, hum issues, maintenance issues, and shifts in reed thickness. I know action is often quite different, but I'm used to slow action from playing my older Rhodes years ago, and while I know there's now mods, the action isn't a huge concern to me. More than anything else, I'm interested in tone.

I could be wrong, but I think a late 70's 200a with class-A amplifier and thinner reeds will give me the most 'bark', but I don't want to lose harmonic complexity along the way (does that happen with the thinner reeds)?

I've heard great stuff about earlier 100 series tube models, but these often sound more pianet like to my ears, with less harmonic complexity from the reeds themselves if more from tube distortion (which is always nice), just want to make sure that's really the case, or perhaps its just the videos I'm watching.

I'd prefer not to pay crazy prices either, the 100 series seem much cheaper, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thoughts? Which would give me the most bark and harmonic complexity for studio recording?