To get those repeats to sound authentic, developers model the entire signal path, including the input drive, the unique EQ curves, the modulation/wow-and-flutter, and the compression characteristics of the original unit.
Usually, you only hear this coloration on the echoes. But if we remove the time element, we can force the dry signal through that modeled circuitry. You’re essentially using the plugin as a preamp or a filter bank rather than an echo chamber.