Golden Age Audio Comp-2A Tube Vintage Compressor

Vintage style all tube signal pathThe Golden Age Audio COMP-2A is a one channel vintage style Compressor / Leveler that uses vacuum tubes in the signal and side-chain path. The input and output is transformer balanced, using two different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose. This is the way audio components were built before transistors and integrated circuits became available. Integrated circuits are small and cheap and widely used in most modern designs. The drawback is that audio components built with modern technology doesn’t always provide the best perceived sound quality or the type of character that the modern user desires.

The subjective sound quality delivered by vintage equipment is often preferred over the one delivered by modern units, a situation that is even more obvious now when music is recorded with clean-sounding digital audio equipment. This is the reason why so many vintage audio components are cloned and produced again and also why the vintage originals are often very expensive on the second hand market.

The circuit used in the COMP-2A is based on a classic design that was originally produced in the early 1960s and it was initially intended for broadcast applications. It uses an electro-luminescent panel and a photoelectric cell to control gain. This gives it a unique, program dependent compression characteristic. The all tube signal path and the transformers also add a wonderful and musical character to the sound.

The ease of use with only two main controls makes it very simple to achieve the desired sound. These attributes has made the original units a favorite of engineers and musicians worldwide. This classic sound is now available at a very affordable price point with the COMP-2A.

Amazing Features • Transformer balanced input and output. Can drive almost any load, balanced or unbalanced
• Long life electroluminescent panel and two carefully matched Silonex NSL5910 photoresistors for T4B-style electro-optical gain control with program dependent attack and release times
• HF control can make the side-chain circuit more sensitive to mid and high frequency content
• Very simple to operate with only two main controls, Gain and Peak Reduction
• Link jack and switch for connecting to another unit for stereo operation
• Linear regulated low noise filament and high voltage power supply
• XLR and TRS input and output jacks for flexible connections
• Hardwire bypass switch for easy comparisons