{"product_id":"warm-audio-wa-1b-b1","title":"Warm Audio WA-1B Tube Optical Compressor (Warehouse Deal, Demo, minor marks)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Warm Audio WA-1B is a single-channel, all-tube optical compressor that recreates the Tube-Tech CL 1B, a Scandinavian design prized for its smooth, musical compression on vocals, bass, and dynamic sources. Hand-wired with a true-to-spec 270V discrete analog signal path, the WA-1B pairs Lundahl Sweden transformers with Tung-Sol and JJ tubes to deliver tube-optical warmth with the precise attack, release, ratio, and threshold controls absent from simpler vintage optical designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePrecision Controls\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike simpler optical compressors with only gain and peak reduction knobs, the WA-1B provides full dynamics control:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVariable threshold, ratio (2:1 to 10:1), attack, and release\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree compression modes: Fixed (natural optical timing), Manual (user-set attack\/release), and Fixed\/Manual (blended)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDedicated sidechain bus selector (Off, Bus 1, Bus 2) allows interconnecting and linking up to 10 WA-1B units\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFront-panel bypass switch and VU meter (switchable input, output, or compression)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTube Circuit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe WA-1B operates at a true 270V rail voltage, replicating the headroom and dynamic behavior of the original Scandinavian design. A Tung-Sol 12AX7 handles the gain stage while a JJ 12AU7 drives the optical detector and output. Custom large-core Lundahl Sweden transformers on both input and output contribute the smooth, open character associated with Nordic transformer designs. The linear toroidal power supply provides clean, stable current to the tube stages for consistent performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single-channel tube optical compressor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTopology:\u003c\/strong\u003e 270V, Class A, all-discrete, hand-wired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTubes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12AX7 (Tung-Sol), JJ 12AU7\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransformers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lundahl Sweden (input and output, custom large-core)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRatio:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2:1 to 10:1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThreshold:\u003c\/strong\u003e Off to -40 dBU\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput gain:\u003c\/strong\u003e Off to +30 dBU\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Hz - 25 kHz (-3 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt;-75 dBU at 30 dB gain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCMRR:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026gt;60 dB at 10 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 600 Ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1x XLR, 1x 1\/4\" TRS (balanced)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1x XLR, 1x 1\/4\" TRS (balanced)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSidechain:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2x 1\/4\" bus connectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetering:\u003c\/strong\u003e VU (input, output, or compression)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Linear supply with toroidal transformer, IEC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRack size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2U, 19\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 483 x 184 x 89 mm (19 x 7.25 x 3.5\")\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.9 kg (8.6 lbs)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarm Audio WA-1B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIEC power cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Warm Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50525564109049,"sku":"WA-1B-b1","price":1899.05,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5766\/1177\/files\/WA-1B_b3bb0f8b-3fc9-4c7c-b638-2b4c10144654.jpg?v=1765322147","url":"https:\/\/blackoutaudio.com\/products\/warm-audio-wa-1b-b1","provider":"Blackout Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}