Disclaimer: I have no personal hand's-on experience with original Echoplex tape echo units. I can only compare this unit to the numerous analog and digital delays I have used and compared to those it is a STUNNING sonic improvement-particularly for a guitar into an amp. It does not have the switchable characteristics of multi-model emulators like Line6; it does not have the depth of features of a Digitiech Timebender, or the crystalline clarity of an Eventide. It is not as cheap as a Danelectro or Behreinger stomp. But it is GORGEOUS LUSH TONE FOR DAYS!! From shredder lead tone thickening to rockabilly slap to reggae and dub space on into VanHalen experimentation and Jimmy Page/Led Zep self-oscillating art noise effects (as in "Dazed and Confused") the Belle Epoch delivers decades of classic tones with plenty of space to find your own. There are worlds to explore within each tweak of the magnificently-voiced controls. When placed between a guitar and amp it provides a brilliantly-executed little clean boost (adjustable with an internal trim pot) that gives you a volume pot that goes to 15 instead of 10. The fact that there are no moving parts and that the circuitry is installed in a rugged and standard-sized pedal that looks great on your board is quite simply awesome. Works fabulously at 9 volts--with an 18-volt power supply (sorry-no built-in battery compartment-if you want to bring this to the mountains, woods and beaches you will need an external power pack) the clarity and headroom are just astounding. In A/B testing with everything remaining the same except for power voltage it completely sounded like different effect pedals. A really good echo vs. an astonishing atmospheric echo pedal. The pre-boost displays more dynamics and headroom, the repeats have more girth and air. Catalinbread have done themselves proud with this Echoplex emulation. And buying through Geartree is always a delight-fast secure shipping and usually a little added treat of either cables or coupons.