The Most Authentic LA-3A Recreation, Now In Dual Rackmount Format

The DA-3A builds on the success of our V3A, the first product on the market to successfully and authentically recreate the iconic LA-3A circuit in the compact 500-series format. We’ve brought the same 1:1 circuit recreation - complete with NOS metal can transistors, period-correct carbon film resistors, and precise replicas of the original 1960s and 70s-spec transformers - to the 19” rack format, skipping the “half-rack” form factor of the original and instead housing two units in a single 2U enclosure.

As parts-obsessed builders with our roots in the DIY community, we went to the greatest lengths we could to ensure this was the most accurate and authentic LA-3A recreation available, sourcing NOS components wherever possible and refining our replica transformers until they were indistinguishable from the originals. It’s not for no reason that we’ve had many customers tell us they sold off their Urei or Teletronix-badged originals shortly after picking up a DA-3A or V3A - and they’d be silly not to, considering the resale prices for those vintage units!

Recreating the Iconic LA-3A Compressor: The All-Important T4B Cell

The Urei LA-3A, like its tube-based predecessor the Teletronix LA-2A, utilized a T4B opto-attenuator for gain reduction. This is by far the most important thing to get right when recreating these legendary opto designs. Like our Opto Comp, the DA-3A (and V3A) use our proprietary made-in-house T4B cells, built to the exact spec as Teletronix originals - simply because no other alternative on the market is manufactured this way. To us, it’s a no-brainer that if you want the sound of the original, you should build it like the original however you can. Especially the opto cell in an optical compressor!

We meticulously test and sort every T4B cell we make, since the electroluminescent panels naturally vary in response and performance. We’ve found that the faster cells more closely nail the behavior of the late 60s-1970s T4Bs, as found in original LA-3A units, so we use these in our DA-3A and V3A compressors and reserve the slower cells for our LA-2A-style Opto Comp.

The B11148 Output Transformer: As Made Famous By The 1176 Rev F

Because the LA-3A was produced under the same roof as the classic Urei 1176 - Teletronix having been acquired by Urei two years prior - the new design shared some characteristics with those units. Chief among these is the distinctive Bournes B11148 output transformer, responsible for the bright, crunchy makeup gain that would later become associated with the 1176 Rev F.

As with other AudioScape products, our DA-3A uses proprietary, custom-wound replicas of the original input/output transformers and auto-former, designed to perfectly replicate late 60’s-early 70’s spec. Our B11148 replica (also used in our 76F!) is a huge part of why these units nail the famous “mid-push” of the original. Off-the-shelf replacements just don’t cut it, and we took great pains in ensuring this transformer imparted the same magic to guitars and vocals as the originals.

Authentic LA-3A Sound, With Modern Updates & Upgrades

While we’re sticklers for authenticity and vintage-style construction when it comes to tone, we also want these units to be easy to use in a modern studio! We’ve made a few ergonomic changes to the DA-3A - namely, moving previously rear-mounted switches and controls to the front panel. These include the stereo “Link” control plus “Limit/Compress” mode switching, a “Stereo Adjust” pot (used to balance both circuits’ gain reduction when linked) and the HF contour pot. This last control acts as a band-pass filter in the sidechain, making the DA-3A more responsive to high and high-mid frequencies the more it is turned. 

The “Clearmountain” Mod, Included Stock

As a final upgrade to this classic circuit design, we’ve included as standard a simple mod that raises the internal gain structure. Originally attributed to master mixer Bob Clearmountain, this now-standard mod reduces the DA-3A’s already low noise floor even further, without otherwise impacting the unit’s sound or behavior.

DA-3A Features & Specs 

• Dual mono or stereo operation

• Stereo link switch

• Stereo adjust control (balances gain reduction when units are linked - fully variable with center detent) 

• HF emphasis control (fully variable)

• Proprietary, in-house T4B opto-attenuator

• Cornell Dubilier polypropylene axial capacitors

• NOS 1970s metal-can transistors

• Proprietary, custom-wound input/out transformers & autoformer

• Allen-Bradley carbon film resistors in audio path

• Alpha potentiometers

• Bypass switch

• Custom AudioScape illuminated VU meter

DOCUMENTATION:

• DA-3A QUICK-START

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