My idea of ‘worth it’ involves both functionality and subjective quality, something I believe we all do when assessing any equipment/software.
I downloaded the trial version and set out to compare apples with apples - in this case the stock std Cubase EQ and UAD’s Cambridge.
1)Portico : no low/hi pass cut-off filters (especially weak compared to Cambridge)
2)Portico : unable to invert band-pass filters .i.e less flexible (possible on both Cambridge & Cubase Eq)
3)Portico : no slope control on high pass/low pass (compared to Cambridge)
3) Portico : graphic interaction showing effect of individual bands is really useful and powerful
The audio effect of the filters is probably what everyone would be interested in - to this end I thought a spectrum analysis would make for better discussion, than “it sounds great”…