{"product_id":"warm-audio-wa-2a-b1","title":"Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor (Warehouse Deal, Demo, minor marks)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Warm Audio WA-2A is a single-channel tube optical compressor that reproduces the LA-2A, the most revered leveling amplifier in recording history. Featuring an all-discrete, Class A, all-tube circuit with four vacuum tubes, CineMag USA transformers, and a socketed Kenetek T4B optical attenuator, the WA-2A delivers gentle, musical compression with the streamlined two-knob operation that has defined this style of dynamics control for vocals, acoustic instruments, and bass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOptical Compression\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe WA-2A's compression character is governed by the Kenetek T4B optical attenuator module, which uses a light-dependent resistor to apply gain reduction. The attack, release, ratio, and knee are all determined by the interaction between the photocell and the incoming audio, producing the smooth, program-dependent compression that made the original a vocal tracking standard. A Compress\/Limit switch changes the ratio from approximately 4:1 to near infinity, covering gentle leveling through hard limiting. The T4B module is socketed and compatible with T4A and T4C alternatives for different compression textures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eControls and Metering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeak Reduction sets the compression threshold on a percentage scale, with 100 delivering the full 40 dB of gain reduction. Output Gain provides up to 40 dB of makeup gain. The Pre-Emphasis knob functions as a sidechain tone control: at the center position, the detector responds to full-bandwidth peaks; rotating toward the high-pass position makes the compressor less sensitive to low frequencies and more responsive to high-frequency transients. A large VU meter displays gain reduction or output level, with a rear-panel calibration potentiometer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStereo Linking\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rear-panel TRS stereo link connector allows two WA-2A units to share threshold response for matched stereo compression. When linked, both units respond to the same sidechain signal, maintaining a stable stereo image under gain reduction.\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\/leveling amplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTopology:\u003c\/strong\u003e All-discrete, Class A, all-tube, hand-populated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTubes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2x 12AX7, 1x 12BH7, 1x 6P1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransformers:\u003c\/strong\u003e CineMag USA (custom, large-core)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptical attenuator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kenetek T4B (socketed, compatible with T4A\/T4B\/T4C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControls:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peak Reduction, Output Gain, HF Emphasis (sidechain)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 Hz - 20 kHz (+\/- 1 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum gain:\u003c\/strong\u003e +40 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum peak reduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e -40 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTHD:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt;0.1% at +10 dBm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNoise:\u003c\/strong\u003e -74 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 ms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.06 s (50%), 0.5 - 5 s (complete)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput\/Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e 600 Ohm balanced (XLR and TRS)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo link:\u003c\/strong\u003e TRS (connects two WA-2A units)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e 115\/230V switchable, IEC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFuse:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1x 250V, 1A fast-blow\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 178 x 89 mm (19 x 7 x 3.5\")\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.4 kg (12 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-2A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIEC power cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Warm Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50525584294137,"sku":"WA-2A-b1","price":1424.05,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/5766\/1177\/files\/WA-2A_f753b4dc-c4f0-4d84-ad1e-fba318f9d405.jpg?v=1765322109","url":"https:\/\/blackoutaudio.com\/products\/warm-audio-wa-2a-b1","provider":"Blackout Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}