Universal Audio LA-3A

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.

Our UA Classics reissue of the LA-3A meticulously retains all the internal and external qualities of the original: The same simple control set,and the T4 electro-optical attenuator, which is the source of the LA-3AA’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 & T4 cell

- Discrete Amplifier - up to 50dB gain

- Rear Panel Gain Mod switch for gain control

- Designed by ex-UREI engineer- Dennis Fink

Technical Specifications

External Connections Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors
Gain Reduction up to 40 dB
Distortion Less than 0.33% at +24dBm
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Noise Floor -80 dB below program at threshold of limiting
Gain 30 +/- 1dB,50 +/- 1dB
Output Level +20 dBm nominal
Input Level 0dBm @ 50dB gain; +20dBm @ 30dB gain
Attack 1.5ms or less
Release 0.06s for 50% release
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