Universal Audio LA-2A Classic Levelling Amplifier

True to the original design, UA’s famed tube-amplified T4 electro-optical compressor.

For over 50 years the Teletronix LA-2A has been revered for its smooth, natural, musical compression. WIth its unique tube-driven electro-optical attenuator system that allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion, the LA-2A massages signals like no other compressor ever made.

Now You Can:

Dial-in legendary optical tube compression textures for vocals, bass, drums, and more

Record your tracks through vintage UA, "handmade in the USA," circuits

Easily add iconic warmth and tube limiting with simple, easy-to-use controls

Track and mix with a piece of audio recording history

The Real Deal

Universal Audio’s Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier reissue provides the performance characteristics of the iconic original. With painstaking care, every new LA-2A unit is point-to-point handwired at Universal Audio's Custom Shop in Santa Cruz, California, with every component carefully evaluated for authenticity. As a result, today’s LA-2A will bring the same legendary compression characteristics of the original to all of your recordings. Demand the original. Accept no copy.

Key Features

True to the original in design, manufacturing and performance
Lag free, distortion free optical attenuator system
Distortion less than 0.5% THD
0 to 40 dB gain limiting
Balanced stereo interconnection
Frequency response 1 dB, 30 to 15,000 cps
Output level of 10 dBm and 40 dB gain
Low noise – less than 70 dB below ±10 dBm output

Technical Specifications

Input Impedance
50, 150, 250, 600 ohms

Output Load Impedance
50, 150, 250, 600 ohms

External Connections
Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors

Frequency Response
+0/-1 dB 30 Hz to 15kHz

Gain
40 dB ±1dB

Input Level
+16 dB maximum

Output Level
+10 dB nominal, +16 dB maximum

Distortion
Less than 0.5% THD (0.25% typical) at ±10 dBm

Noise
70 dB below +10 dBm output level

Attack Time
10 microseconds

Release Time
0.06 seconds for 50% release; 0.5 to 5 seconds for complete release

Meter
dB gain reduction and dB output

Power Requirements
35 watts, 120/240 volts, 50/60 Hz

Environmental

Maximum operating temperature 160°F

Dimensions
19" Rackmount chassis, 3U

Weight
13 lbs.