15,000+ reviews

Warm Audio WA1B Tube Opto Compressor

WAR-WA1B - RRP $1,979.00
In store: None
Online: None
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$1,799.00
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free

shipping!*
1

year warranty

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the shipping rates?

We offer free shipping on orders $100+ and under 32kg to metro areas in ACT, NSW, VIC, and QLD. If you are in a regional area we will subsidise your delivery rates. You can calculate shipping in the checkout and on product pages with your postcode.
All orders under $100 are charged at minimum $10 shipping.

Basic vs Standard vs Express Shipping

Express 1-5 days.
Standard 2-10 days.
Basic 4-10 days.
Our shipping platform will automatically determine and display the Express or Standard shipping options that are available to you.
Delivery times are determined by how far you are away from our store in Canberra.
If Express is not displaying, you're either located too far away from our store in Canberra, or the Standard shipping option will get it to you just as fast for the same price.

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer secure checkout options like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Zip Pay and Bank Deposit.
American Express payments are also accepted, although most AmEx transactions will require manual authorization after payment (Someone from the team will contact you to confirm the transaction after checkout)

Can I cancel my order?

If you need to cancel your order it is best to give our online team a call on (02) 6282 3199
On weekends our online team may not be operating. Either give us a call Monday morning or reply to your order email and we will get back to you asap.

Need Assistance?

Feel free to contact us by phone, email or chat

  • (02) 6282 3199
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  • 18 Salamander Court, Phillip 2606, ACT
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  • Smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls
  • Hand-wired for authentic Scandinavian compression
  • Custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden
  • Select JJ and Tung-Sol tubes for analog warmth
  • Variable threshold for maximum compression control
  • Unique attack/release with fixed and manual settings
  • Three-mode meter switch for input, compression, output
  • 270v circuit with 100% discrete analog signal path

The WA-1B accurately recreates world-class Scandinavian compression, combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls. Like its original inspiration, favored by producers and engineers from Chris Lord-Alge to Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers that revered “forgiving” musical compression of tube-optical circuitry with speed and control more closely associated with modern dynamics processing. Hand-wired to authentically recreate the sound of a renowned circuit, the WA-1B combines custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden, select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, and a premium high-precision optical element for ultra-fast and accurate operation without sacrificing authentic analog warmth.

Overview:

Tube-Opto Tone With Extended Control: Delivering that revered “forgiving” musical compression with the added speed and control functionality, the WA-1B excels on highly dynamic sources that demand analog warmth.

True-To-Original Controls:To deliver extended dynamics processing, the WA-1B features all of the classic controls of its modern-classic inspiration. 

Threshold: The WA-1B supports a variable threshold giving maximum control to the user regarding how much compression is applied to any signal at various input levels.

Ratio: The WA-1B ratio is variable and has infinite controls between 2:1 and 10:1. From soft musical dynamic control all the way to hard-smashing compression! 

Attack & Release: The Attack/Release controls on the WA-1B are unique in that the attack/release operations can be switched from a fixed setting, manual (variable) setting, or a combined setting. In the “fixed” mode, the WA-1B delivers the natural attack & release time of the optical element. The combined setting in particular creates the opportunity for a more nuanced release-time curve. This dueling time-constant circuit operation is a special feature of the WA-1B and its original inspiration.   

Meter Switch: The WA-1B meter switch has three settings: input, compression, and output levels. Set to “input”, the VU meter is reading the level at the input connector. Set to “compression”, the VU meter is reading gain reduction. The steady-state is "0", and the amount of compression is shown as the needle moving right-to-left away from 0dB. Set to “output”, the VU meter is reading the level at the output connector.

On/Bypass: The on/bypass switch on the WA-1B activates or bypasses the compressor. This is a hard bypass, meaning no signal passes through the circuitry in bypass mode. 

Premium Components: The WA-1B is a 270v circuit with handwired through-hole circuitry, and 100% discrete analog signal path. The custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden bring the full Scandinavian-style analog tone of the WA-1B circuit to life. Paired with select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, the high-precision optical element applies sweet analog warmth to audio signals with unrivaled accuracy. 

Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio gear, the WA-1B is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA

More Information
Brand Warm Audio
Got bluetooth? No
Built in effects? No
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