In practice, this is rarely a problem, but this rolloff is probably at least partially to blame for the ‘warming’ characteristic credited to the unit. The only drawback that might be levelled (doh!) at the LA-2A is its lack of ultra high frequency response – it tails off at around 15kHz. Things really do seem bigger and warmer, grander and genuine, without any unnatural or fatiguing hype. There is a masterful feel to the way they smooth a signal. With no attack or release adjustments, they are wonderfully quick to set up, and work particularly well with bass guitar, vocals, and anything you want tamed without drama. I love LA-2As, they make fantastic general purpose compressors. Furthermore, one can stereo link the channels here, so to that end the T4 optical modules are matched for a stable image. Yes, the circuitry layout is arranged differently from a mono LA-2A, but UA are at pains to point out that this is indeed the same circuitry and the same sound as an original unit. But apart from space saving, there is the more immediate concern of cost saving. So naturally, the recommendation is that one must leave 1U free above, and if possible 1U ventilation below the space saving benefits are almost gone before we’ve started. The VU meters glow in a nice aged looking yellow illumination, and although smaller than those found on LA-2As, are big enough - roughly the same width as those on an 1176, if a little shallower.Ĭramming all the circuitry into 2U results in the first piece of advice printed on a separate alert sheet: “Your 2-LA-2 Gets Hot!!!” They are not joking, it does get fairly warm, and there are vents in several locations. The etched faceplates look built to last. Bypass removes the gain reduction circuit, but leaves the valve amplification in circuit, so one can use the unit for a little extra gain and tube colouration. Near the centre is a toggle for Dual/Link modes, and there is an overall Bypass toggle – something not included on original and reissue mono units. Each channel includes a Limit/Compress toggle, and a toggle for the meter to switch between Gain Reduction and Output. A large power toggle is accompanied by a lovely old-fashioned purple light. On the front is a thick panel, on which are mounted are large vintage-style knobs for Gain (output) and Peak Reduction – these are undamped but seem perhaps just very slightly stiffer than those encountered on most mono LA-2As. On the rear are quality XLRs for the two inputs and outputs, plus an IEC socket – some internal re-plugging and an alternative fuse is required for operation at 110V. I found that the spaces for the extra T4 and tube components were still present on the circuit board, so perhaps an upgrade or mod might be available one day.īuild quality is as high as one expects from this manufacturer. A hold-up occurred with a planned extra Fast/Slow switch to incorporate an optional Fast mode, using another pair of T4 optical cells.ĭespite promo photos of units with the extra switches, and a movie including this feature on the DVD that came in the box, the final product omits this feature due to difficulty in obtaining the necessary components from the supplier. Perhaps one might have expected the launch of the 2-LA-2 sooner, but it has been lovingly fashioned by original UREI engineer Dennis Fink, who was presumably busy beforehand getting the LA-3A reissue in order. They stopped making originals in 1969, but when Putnam’s sons formed the new Universal Audio company, the LA-2A was one of their first reissues. It was designed not by Bill Putnam, but by Jim Lawrence of Teletronix in Pasadena, California, before eventually being acquired by Bill Putnam’s company in 1967, which then became UREI. The original LA-2A “Levelling Amplifier” was introduced in the early 1960’s. Perhaps even more impressive is the pricing – roughly just 25% more than a mono reissue LA-2A. However, if you’ve ever peered round the back of an LA-2A you’ll know its case is extremely shallow, with just a few larger components sticking out of the rear. This might seem even more impressive – packing 6U of circuitry into 2U. And UA have performed another magician’s trick with the LA-2A. Previously, the 2-1176 packed a pair of mono 1176s into the space usually occupied by just one of them.
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