An Attempt at an Unbiased Comparison: UAD Dream 65 vs. Strymon Iridium

[Cody_J]

Hey everyone! I recently had the Strymon Iridium and UAD Dream 65 in my possession at the same time (loaned from friends -- not companies or sponsors), so I decided to make this quick video. I did my best to tone match each clip, but it is worth pointing out that these two pedals really do not seem to be a 1:1. The "room" on the Iridium versus the digital emulation of spring reverb in the Dream 65 are totally different (and I do not think they were meant to compare, really). However, I purposely chose to show those two things side-by-side in order to highlight the fact that these two pedals really focus on different features and different approaches to the "amp in a pedal" product.

All cards on the table -- I think I tend towards the UAD Dream 65, but I think that has more to do with me than it does either of these pedals. I have been primarily a Deluxe Reverb user for most of my professional life; either an actual Deluxe or something based on a Deluxe. Knowing that, I just do not see myself going too far into a lot of the extra IR features that the Iridium has to offer. That means that whichever of these does the "Deluxe thing" out of the box the best is what I will gravitate towards, and for my two cents I'd say that's the UAD Dream 65.

Let me know what you all think!

 

[bluesholyman]

Nice review Cody. Thanks!

I've never been a Strymon fan because they have "a sound" and I've never bonded with that sound, on any of their pedals. I imagine I would feel the same way about the Iridium.

I prefer tubes over digital emulation, but UA tends to go the extra mile, so in absence of a real DRRI, it might be a good option [for me.]

 

[Cody_J]

Nice review Cody. Thanks!

I've never been a Strymon fan because they have "a sound" and I've never bonded with that sound, on any of their pedals. I imagine I would feel the same way about the Iridium.

I prefer tubes over digital emulation, but UA tends to go the extra mile, so in absence of a real DRRI, it might be a good option [for me.]

Thank you! I honestly cannot say that I have spent enough time with Strymon to be able to identify a “sound,” but then again I know there are a lot of folks out there who swear by them! Haha.

That said, UA definitely goings the extra mile for their products. I really don’t think you could go wrong with either!

 

[vjf1968]

Thank you! I honestly cannot say that I have spent enough time with Strymon to be able to identify a “sound,” but then again I know there are a lot of folks out there who swear by them! Haha.

That said, UA definitely goings the extra mile for their products. I really don’t think you could go wrong with either!

Can you change the IRs in the Dream 65 like you can in the Iridium?

 

[Shango66]

Great review Cody.
sweet playing.
both great pedals imo

 

[burntfrijoles]

As always, great playing!!
I think it’s understood that the 65 is THE Deluxe Reverb pedal. The Fender “round” model on the Iridium is good but it doesn't match the Dream.
That said, the Iridium and the Dream are very different pedals. As a result, if you’re deciding between the two, it really depends on your needs.
I don’t really need a “dead on, balls accurate” DR model. I need a solid Fender clean tone and a good pedal platform, which the Iridium provides. Plus, I want the Vox and Marshall models. That meets my needs so I’m an Iridium guy.
The Dream is still very tempting.

 

[That Cal Webway]

Nice, succinct review Cody.
Ty.