VA2A - White (LA-2A Leveling Amplifier)

Handcrafted in the United Kingdom, the VA2A follows the blueprints for the legendary LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (rev. 1968).  

Ever since its release, the LA-2A achieved wide acclaim in professional audio applications because its unique, optical attenuator allowed a smooth, unobtrusive compression/limiting action unlike anything previously invented. The VA2A is Valtech’s tribute to these original Teletronix units. 

The VA2A is a 68’ LA-2A but it has several small improvement mods:

1. Increased headroom to complement modern audio gear and studio practices
2. Increased output frequency bandwidth with a Russian military-grade paper & oil output capacitor (the equivalent of the Mundorf Supreme Silver Gold Oil Capacitors)
3. Audiophile-grade Polypropylene caps on C2 & C3 (SuperCap Hovland Series)

The Input Transformer  is a Sowter 1449 - an exact modern clone of the UTC A-10 with a 1:9 ratio. In the original LA-2A this was the first point of amplification and was used to combat noise-floor in audio. Because of its extremely high input ratio the LA-2A provided enough gain to be used as a microphone preamplifier. Modern clones of the LA-2A often feature 1:3 - 1:4 input transformers, but to stay true to the original design the VA2A is equipped with a 1:9 ration input transformer. The output transformer is also a direct clone of the UTC A-24. These Sowters are the most accurate modern recreations of the originals and provide exceptional performance and tonality.  

The valves (tubes) are all NOS RCA-s, as used in the original. This particular unit is equipped with one RCA 12AX7 Black Plate and one long Grey Plate. The "Black Plate" is the most important valve in the VA2A as it has the biggest impact on device tonality. During the 50s RCA made the first 12AX7 valves and the LA2As were being equipped with them. Those old "Black Plates" are characterised with low self-noise and exceptional mid-range response and are considered the "Rolls-Royce" of 12AX7 valves. 

The Optical Cell is a Kenetek T4B.

The potentiometers are a custom replication of the original Allen & Bradley LA2A pots and feature the same custom audio taper. They are made by Blore Edwards - the current supplier for AMS Neve pots.