Livingston:  Regards the hardware original you should have a look to the AIElectronik HVC (Hybrid Valve Compressor).  The electronic design is really clever.  It's hand built with only quality components, mixing both tubes and high end ICs for input and output gain stages.  Theres an optical cell for detection and THAT chip for volume control (like SSL types comps).  This makes the compression musical and natural but with a very good control.  It can be pushed really hard too, driving the input gain, which makes it versatile for a lot of different uses.  Note that there's an external side-chain loop to filter the side-chain signal or to control the compression with an other source.  The overall sound of the unit is very clean but with a nice tube musicality, and the headroom is HUGE !!!  And for the price (2600€) it's a real bargain !!

Dawman:  The DAS AI COMP out performs my SE-C2S.  I have a friend here with an endless supply of cash and vintage microphones and preamps and recently he acquired a Manley Slam with AES/EBU and SP/DIF.  I complained about how big his remixes sound and he told me what he was using.  They are impressive.  I whined after hearing a mix over his UREI monitors and told him I want my synths to sound as big but since I am trying to achieve this without hardware synths now I was at a loss as to how.  He has a really good ear and decided to help me by auditioning all the various compressors I have and he liked the DAS Comp AI the best.

I always use the DAS Comp AI and the DAS Gate because both have side-chaining.

Bill3107: I have it. You cannot go wrong.  I only know API compressor and hardware ones so it is hard to compare it.  You can get a sharp - but not cold - sound.  Great compressor, really.

Pollux: I use it often on drums and on the bass.