Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2A

I bought this compressor following a lot of research and listening to different comparison videos, to make my own opinion, based on what I hear. This thing sounds incredible on male vocals, guitars, synths and sources that need gentle average opto compression as well as benefit from the harmonic distortion imparted by the tubes.

Just like with original, its 'sweet spot' is somewhere in the region of 7-10dB GR, but unlike with plugins, this much compression does not destroy the signal in any way, but it sounds natural and smooth. The gain knob is where you can add the tube distortion to the signal. When you push the gain, it starts to distort characteristically for tubes, but again unlike with plugin emulation, it's a round and pleasant kind of distortion that may be used for artistic effect as well. I believe that the distortion occurs only once gain is pushed beyond normal signal level. Normal operation results in very clean and smooth signal with a litle bit of tube thickening. It does make source audio sound more like a record instantly. When applied to guitar tracks with amp simulation, it compliments tracks with tube harmonics, and removes the digital harshness and sterility. It's subtle magic box!

Obviously it outperforms plugins, and I believe tube distortion / saturation is one of the hardest to emulate on PC. Once you run this, you can instantly feel the difference. Such is my experience with quality analog equipment - it's not always obviously heard, but definitely 'felt', particularly when layered in the mix. The trick is to be subtle and to layer multiple layers in your mix. I also recommend this for tracking vocals, to control louder passages.

At the price slightly higher than plugins, it's LA2A clone hard to beat, but one that brings in pro studio sound to your mixes

I am a regular Thomann customer, with very good expiriences until this item. Bought the Golden Age Project Comp-2A from B stock When it came, it wasnt working at all. Had to send it back. Then waited about three weeks to receive it fixed (standard procedure). Device is in my room, never took it out. Yesterday it stopped working again. Although it is under guarantee, didnt have nerves to pack it, send it back, and wait again (especially with this situation with virus). I opened it, and took it to local electronician.
It is very stressful and dissapointing. When you buy, send it back, wait, and again dont work. Its not made well, obvieusly.

Le plus important : le son. Il faut reconnaître que c?est un bonheur...
Sur les prises voix, ça fait exactement ce qu'on attend d'un La-2a, pas un pet de souffle, de la chaleur et de la présence. La classe.
La construction ne fait pas du tout cheap, les potards et les switchs sont bien solides et propres, (pas comme chez warm audio...) mais cet appareil là chauffe. Mais vraiment. Pas les lampes curieusement mais le bloc alim. Le mien a carrément cramé à la cinquième utilisation, retour en SAV (merci Thomann) et quatre semaine plus tard le revoilà (et c'est bien le m^me, l'odeur de plastique cramé est toujours bien présente... beuark) pour l'instant il fonctionne et je le garde hors de tout rack, sinon la température monte (au point de ne pas pouvoir garder la main en contact sans douleur...). Prudence donc.