{"product_id":"diademtone-dt-2a-la-2a-style-opto-comp","title":"DiademTone DT-2A (LA-2A Style Opto Comp)","description":"\u003c!-- DIADEM TONE — DT-2A — Shopify description v1.0 --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #1e1e21; color: #ddd; padding: 20px 24px; border-radius: 10px; border-left: 5px solid #c9a45c; margin-bottom: 30px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px; color: #e3c27d; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px;\"\u003eHand-Assembled · 3-Year Warranty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eEvery Diadem Tone unit is hand-assembled one at a time using carefully selected components, and is individually quality checked before it leaves the factory. That's why Diadem Tone backs every product with a \u003cstrong style=\"color: #fff;\"\u003e3-year warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiadem Tone DT-2A Optical Tube Compressor\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome compressors grab. The \u003cstrong\u003eDT-2A\u003c\/strong\u003e glides. It is a single-channel optical valve leveling amplifier built on the classic 2A architecture, delivering the smooth, natural gain reduction and valve warmth that have made this style of compressor a studio staple for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt its heart is Diadem Tone's own enhanced \u003cstrong\u003eDT-T4 optical cell\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed for extended high-frequency response and exceptionally smooth compression. Four valves carry the signal: two 12AX7s for gain and harmonic texture, a 12BH7 for robust, low-distortion drive, and a 6AQ5 that adds thickness and warmth at the output. Careful circuit design and component selection give it a noise floor of -90 dB, so it stays clean even at high gain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0808\/1653\/7634\/files\/DT4Cell.jpg?v=1790583447\" alt=\"\" style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat the DT-2A Recreates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LA-2A leveling amplifier appeared in the early 1960s and is one of the most recognisable compressors ever made. Rather than a transistor, it uses an optical cell: a light source and a light-sensitive resistor inside a sealed module. As the signal gets louder, the light glows brighter and the resistor turns the level down. That optical process reacts in a naturally smooth, program-dependent way. It has a fixed 10 ms attack and a two-stage release, recovering the first half of its gain reduction in about 60 ms and the rest over 0.5 to 5 seconds, depending on what you feed it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Engineers Still Reach for It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2A is loved because it is both musical and simple. There are really only two knobs: Peak Reduction sets how much it compresses, and Gain sets the output. Yet the results sound polished almost instantly. The optical cell never clamps down harshly. It gently levels a performance so it sits consistently in the mix, while the valve stages add a warmth and density that make sources sound finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to Use It On\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVocals\u003c\/strong\u003e – its signature application. Smooth, transparent leveling that keeps a vocal present without sounding squashed. For the classic combination, follow a DT-76: the FET catches the fast peaks, and the DT-2A evens out the overall level.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBass\u003c\/strong\u003e – holds bass guitar and synth bass steady and full, with valve weight in the low end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcoustic instruments\u003c\/strong\u003e – acoustic guitar, piano and strings get gentle control that preserves their natural dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuses and stems\u003c\/strong\u003e – light gain reduction on a vocal or instrument group glues parts together without obvious pumping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking\u003c\/strong\u003e – its forgiving response makes it a safe, great-sounding choice to record through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fast FET compressor and a smooth optical compressor are two of the most useful tools any studio can own, and each does what the other can't. The DT-2A brings genuine optical compression and a four-valve signal path to your rack, with the hands-on simplicity that lets you set it by ear and get back to the music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront Panel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGain\u003c\/strong\u003e – sets the output level\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeak Reduction\u003c\/strong\u003e – sets the amount of compression\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompress \/ Limit switch\u003c\/strong\u003e – selects compression or limiting mode\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eR37\u003c\/strong\u003e – trim adjustment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeter\u003c\/strong\u003e – VU meter switchable between Gain Reduction, Output +10 and Output +4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower\u003c\/strong\u003e switch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle-channel optical valve compressor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical Cell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiadem Tone enhanced DT-T4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValves\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 × 12AX7, 1 × 12BH7, 1 × 6AQ5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttack Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.06 s for 50% release; 0.5 to 5 s for complete release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 Hz to 20 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Harmonic Distortion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt; 0.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNoise Floor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-90 dB ±5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e+16 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e+10 dB nominal, +16 dB maximum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput Impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 Ω (balanced)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Load Impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 Ω (balanced)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115 \/ 230 VAC, 50–60 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e19″ rackmount, 3U\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 12px; color: #888;\"\u003eLA-2A is a trademark of its respective owner and is referenced for descriptive purposes only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DiademTone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50724230299682,"sku":"DT-2A","price":1399.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0808\/1653\/7634\/files\/DiademToneDT2ALA2AClone4.jpg?v=1790583375","url":"https:\/\/globalmusicimports.com.au\/products\/diademtone-dt-2a-la-2a-style-opto-comp","provider":"Global Music Imports - Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}