TC Electronic Sustain + Parametric Equalizer pedal vs Classic reissue and VST plugin

I am a huge Bill Frisell fan. More specifically his 80s and early 90s sound when he used the TC Sustainer plus EQ with a volume​​​ pedal. I already have the latter. The former is not cheap. There is very little info on the pedal (is it optical comp, FET?)​​​. Therefore:

1. has anyone tried the original and the Classic reissue? Are they the same sound wise?

2. has anyone tried the plugin version? If so - how does it compare to the original?

3. what other pedals could I use to replicate this old piece of TC Electronics gear?​​​​​​​​