Teletronix LA-2

$4,999.00 Price Tier: High-end

1 Critic Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier

$4,890.46 - $4,999.00

5.0 (13)

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Page last updated Jun 11, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated May 28, 2026.

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5.0 (10)

$4,999.00

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5.0 (2)

$4,999.00

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5.0 (1)

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5.0 (5)

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Average Price: $4,999

High-end/Boutique

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, Teletronix LA-2 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Teletronix LA-2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Teletronix LA-2A by Universal Audio is a beloved classic in the world of studio recording gear, renowned for its smooth, natural compression that has graced countless hit records since its introduction in the 1960s. This iconic tube compressor utilizes a unique electro-optical attenuator system, providing instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion. Handwired and crafted to original specifications in Scotts Valley, California, the LA-2A ensures each unit delivers the same legendary performance as its predecessors.

Engineers and producers treasure the LA-2A for its ability to add warmth and character to vocals, bass, drums, and more, making it a staple in professional studios. Its program-dependent compression allows it to handle dynamic material effortlessly, while its straightforward controls - just gain and peak reduction - make it incredibly user-friendly. Whether you're looking to gently massage your audio or push it for a more pronounced effect, the LA-2A's versatility is unmatched.

Each component of the LA-2A is meticulously evaluated for authenticity, ensuring that this reissue remains true to the original's design and performance. Its enduring appeal and dynamic control prowess continue to captivate new generations of audio professionals.

Key Features:

Legendary optical tube compression for vocals, bass, drums, and more
Handwired point-to-point in Scotts Valley, California
Original electro-optical attenuator system for distortion-free gain reduction
Simple controls: Gain and Peak Reduction knobs, Limit/Compress switch
0dB to 40dB gain limiting
Frequency response: 30Hz-15kHz (+0/-1dB)
Balanced XLR input and output
Outputs level: 10dBm; Gain: 40dB
Low noise: 70dB below +10dBm output level

Product specs

Type	Optical
Number of Channels	1
Controls	Gain, Peak Reduction
Frequency Response	30Hz-15kHz (+0/-1 dB)
Inputs	1 x XLR
Outputs	1 x XLR
Rack Spaces	3U
Power Source	Standard IEC AC cable
Height	5.25"
Depth	7.25"
Width	19"
Weight	13 lbs.

FAQs

What type of compression does the Teletronix LA-2A use?: The Teletronix LA-2A uses optical compression, known for its smooth and natural sound, making it a staple in professional audio production for enhancing vocals, bass, and drums with warmth and clarity.
Is the Teletronix LA-2A suitable for vocal processing?: Yes, the Teletronix LA-2A is highly regarded for vocal processing due to its smooth, natural compression characteristics, which add warmth and clarity to vocal tracks.
How many channels does the Teletronix LA-2A have?: The Teletronix LA-2A is a single-channel leveling amplifier, making it ideal for processing individual tracks in a studio setting.
What are the main controls on the Teletronix LA-2A?: The Teletronix LA-2A features simple controls with Gain and Peak Reduction knobs, allowing for easy adjustment of compression levels for optimal sound shaping.
What kind of inputs and outputs does the Teletronix LA-2A have?: The Teletronix LA-2A is equipped with 1 x XLR input and 1 x XLR output, ensuring professional-grade connectivity for studio environments.
How does the Teletronix LA-2A handle transients?: The Teletronix LA-2A is appreciated for its gentle handling of transients, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications, including drums, percussion, and bass guitar.

Videos

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The Teletronix LA-2A in action

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Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional for vocals, enhances presence and clarity in the mix
Versatile use across various instruments, from bass to harmonica
Simple two-knob operation makes it user-friendly
High-quality build that lasts for decades
Faithful recreation of the vintage LA-2A sound
Utilizes quality UTC transformers for authentic sound
Increases in value; a good long-term investment
Reliable and timeless, not affected by software changes
Essential tool in professional studios worldwide
Dramatic improvement with NOS American tubes

CONS

High price may be prohibitive for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Teletronix LA-2.

Comparisons

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The UREI-built Silver LA-2A is known for its faster time constant, ideal for drums, percussion, and bass guitar, while the LA-2 offers a slower, mellower sound suitable for strings and horns.
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The Acustica plugins are noted for superior sound quality compared to UA plugins, according to some users.
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The silver model is said to have more high harmonics and third harmonics, while the gray model offers a "gray" saturation.
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Users find the UA LA-2A plugins virtually indistinguishable from hardware units, even in blind tests, highlighting their high fidelity in emulation.
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Features and functionality

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The LA-2A is commonly associated with vocals due to its medium-speed compression, whereas the LA-2 provides the slowest response time, enhancing legato vocals.
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It's noted that the LA-2A can offer an LA-2 vibe on faster transient sources, such as guitar picking or drums, due to its faster attack and release times.
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The original hardware provides harmonic richness, which is absent in legacy UA plugins, making them less desirable for some users.
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The tube compressor lacks a mix knob and a high frequency knob, which are present in other models.
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The UA LA-2A plugin is praised for the color it imparts on snares, described as a "wet smack," adding character to drum tracks.
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Use cases and applications

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The LA-2 model's distinctive "mellow" sound from its luminescent panel is recommended for sultry vocals and string arrangements, but it may dull transients.
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Adjusting the silver model's HF control to '5' closely resembles the tube compressor's sound, though some material doesn't fully null.
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Some users prefer the Analog Obsession LA-2A plugin for its zero latency, making it suitable for time-sensitive projects.
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User experience

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Users emphasize the importance of level matching when comparing the LA-2 and LA-2A, as perceived differences might be due to level rather than tonal characteristics.
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Owners report that the UA LA-2A plugin offers superior sound over the Waves CLA-2A, describing it as more pleasant and less prone to issues at high compression levels.
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Software and compatibility

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The free LA-2A plugin is based on a specific MK II remake, not the legacy code, offering lower CPU demands.
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The UAD LA-2A plugin may require more CPU resources in large projects, which could affect workflow efficiency.
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Critic Reviews

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection is a stellar offering, delivering remarkable emulations of three iconic compressors known for their unmatched vocal clarity and smooth response. While the user-friendly interface simplifies operation, the default gain settings can mislead users, presenting a challenge in achieving true tonal balance. Still, once dialed in, the nuanced differences between the Silver, Gray, and original LA-2 models emerge beautifully. For anyone seeking to enhance their mixing capabilities with legendary compression, this collection stands as a near-definitive choice, despite a few quirks in its setup.

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Infected Mushroom

Music Producer

Infected Mushroom

Verified via YouTube

In this video at 1:18 we can see Teletronix LA-2

Merle Haggard

Guitarist, Singer

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Verified via Mixonline

Mentioned by sound engineer John Kelton in this Mix Online article about Kickin Out the Footlights... Again.

"The board was an SSL 9000 J and Starstruck has a good bit of outboard equipment that we used, too,” Kelton says. “For tape we used a Studer 827 16-track for the drums and bass and a Studer 827 24-track for everybody else. That was fed into a Pro Tools HD system. I mixed on an SSL 4056 G+ at Keith's studio and mixed to the new 900 [tape] that used to be the Emtec; this is the first thing we've done on it. We used the Ampex ATR-100 half-inch. For mics, Merle was an old Neumann 47 into a Martech preamp and LA-2 compressor that was hardly used at all. George was an older-stock U87 into a Martech into a Teletronix LA1 compressor that we've used with him for a while. There was no EQ on either one of them.”