Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor

Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor
Product no: 9000-0026-1142 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 5 year warranty when you register it with warmaudio.com/product-registration. If the product is not registered it has a 3-year warranty.

General

If you've been dreaming of an optical compressor for a while now, but have been putting off getting one because your budget is stretched a little too thin, Warm Audio now offer the perfect opportunity to get your hands on one. The WA-2A is developed in the same way as the LA-2A, which means it's a fully tube-driven compressor with a completely discrete signal path for warm, accurate sound with a character that's as smooth as honey. The WA-2A features praised CineMag input and output transformers while its Kenetek opto-cell is considered the world's best. This first-class compressor gives the original LA-2A a serious run for its money but is actually more attainable. It's time to stop dreaming and give your sound the analogue warmth it deserves.

Specifications

Product features

19-inch rack size	2U
Number of channels	1
Sustainable product	not specified
Stereo function	no
Type of dynamic processor	compressor

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	4,9 kg
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	59,0 x 27,0 x 14,0 cm

Product specifications

Warm Audio WA-2A optical compressor
2A-style, transformer weight, high voltage, opto (light-controlled) tube compressor
fully discrete signal path
USA-made CineMag in and output transformers
USA-made Kenetek opto-damper custom-made for retro-fitting opto cells
first-class Tung-Sol and Electro Harmonix tubes: 2 x 12ax7, 1 x 12bh7, 1 x 6aq5 (can be replaced by a 6p1)
adjustable pre-emphasis for high-pass filtering
stereo link capable
balanced XLR and TRS line inputs: 600 Ohms
balanced XLR and TRS line outputs: 600 Ohms
frequency range (-1 dB): 15 Hz to 20 kHz
gain: 40 dB (+/- 1dB
input level: +/- 16dB max
output level: +10 dB nominal, +/- 16 dB max
distortion: less than 0.1% THD at +/- 10 dBm
noise: -74 dB
attack time: -10 milliseconds
release time: 0.06 seconds, at 50% release; 0.5 to 5 seconds before complete release
VU meters for gain reduction and dB output
power: 115/230V (switchable), 50/60 Hz
dimensions: 19 inch rackmount chassis, 2U. 19 x 7 x 3.5 inch / 48.3 x 17.8 x 8.9 cm
weight: 5.4 kg

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Reviews from other countries

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Engineer01 August 21, 2025

Wrote the following about Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor

Aangeschaft als lloon voor de LA-2A. Inmideels ook een echte Teletronix LA-2A in mijn bezt en ik moet zeggen dat er toch een groot verschil is. Dat wil niet zeggen dat deze compressor waardeloos is, integendeel hij is geweldig maar ik gebruik hem(heel veel) voor zijneigen sound. Hij klinkt geweldig en de pre emphasis knop geef5 echt een extra dimensie. Aanrader maar niet voor de LA-2A adepten....

Ben R. September 16, 2018

Wrote the following about Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor

Heerlijke compressor! Met zang is hij uitraard heerlijk, maar ook met sax waar ik hem hoofdzakelijk voor gebruik. Lekkere zompige attack waar ik erg van houd. Als je alleen de audio zonder te compressen door het circuit haalt, wordt het singaal al zoveel warmer. Heerlijk!

Enige minpuntje is dat de pre amphisis knop aan de achterkant zit. Zeker als je er regelmatig verschillende instrumenten door haalt wil je hier makkelijk bij kunnen.

Voor de rest, top apparaat!