Universal Audio LA-3A Reissue Pair #1057/1058 (Used)

The original LA-3A Leveling Amplifier made its debut at the 1969 NY AES show and marked the departure from the tube design of the Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. The LA-3A incorporated components and design concepts from the Putnam-designed 1176LN Limiting Amplifier. Immediately embraced as a studio workhorse and still widely used today, the LA-3A remains a favorite of engineers and producers worldwide for its unique compression characteristics and sonic signature.

The Universal Audio LA-3A Reissue meticulously retains all the internal and external qualities of the original: The same simple control set, Class A design, and the T4 electro-optical attenuator, which is the source of the LA-3A’s program dependent compression. It also retains the 2RU half-rack design, and comes complete with a single-unit rack assembly - no additional kit is necessary. All the original rear panel connections and controls are also maintained, while the commonly performed “LA-3A gain mod” is added as an additional switch for maximum studio versatility.

FEATURES:

• Classic solid-state opto compressor
• Custom UA transformers and T4 cell
• Discrete, Class A amplifier: up to 50 dB gain
• Rear-panel "Gain Mod" switch for gain control
• Designed by ex-UREI engineer Dennis Fink
• Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors
• Up to 40 dB gain reduciton
• Less than 0.33% at +24 dBm distortion
• 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.5 dB frequency response
• ±80 dB below program at threshold of limiting noise floor
• Output Level: +20 dBm nominal
• Input Level: 0 dBm @50 dB gain; +20 dBm @30 dB gain
• Attack: 1.5ms or less
• Release: 0.06s for 50% release