Ever since the early 90s, the Manley ELOP® stereo electro-optical limiter has been used to control the dynamics of countless recordings and has delivered the classic tube sound that Manley Labs is famous for. This LA-2A type unit can handle a lot of limiting without losing high frequencies.

New model

Compared to the first edition from the 90s, the current model has been updated with a more up-to-date power supply, which ensures a lower noise level and a new 3:1 compression ratio, which provides greater usability.

SPECIFICATIONS

10:1 Limiter and 3:1 Compressor ratios All-tube audio path uses 5751 and 6922 dual triodes Balanced Manley IRON® transformer-coupled XLR Inputs XLR impedance-balanced outputs BYPASS switches and AUTOMUTE with warm-up delay Large illuminated VU meters read Gain Reduction or Output levels STEREO LINK Side-Chain High-Pass Filter
Standby Power Consumption: 0.5 Watts
Universal internal power supply operates worldwide 90-250V~AC 50/60Hz
ALL-TUBE audio path using a 5751 for gain, 6922 White Follower output tube (one each per channel)
Silent Conductive Plastic GAIN control. Balanced MANLEY IRON Transformer coupled XLR input. Input impedance: 14 kOhms
Maximum input level: +18dBu or 4.8V RMS @ 0.01% THD
Hi-current White Follower Impedance Balanced XLR output. Output impedance=150 Ohms Maximum Output with 100 kOhm load= +30dBu @.009%THD+N, BW 22Hz-22Khz, 1Khz sine Maximum Output with 600 Ohm load= +20dBu @.015%THD+N, BW 22Hz-22Khz , 1Khz sine Output Headroom (Referenced to +4dBu)= 26dB Frequency Response= -0.15dB @ 10Hz, -0.1dB @ 20KHz Total Harmonic Distortion (1kHz sine @ +4dBu, BW 22Hz-22kHz) = 0.004% THD+N Noise Floor Limiter Bypass= -90dBu (BW 22Hz-22kHz) Noise Floor Limiter Engaged= -88dBu (BW 22Hz-22kHz) Input set to Unity gain Dynamic Range= 118dB Signal to Noise Ratio = 92dB (Referenced to +4dBu) Bypass mode = Signal goes thru ALL-TUBE audio path (Bypasses limiter) this is not a “hardwire bypass” Unity Gain= Set Input Attenuator @ 1:00 o’clock Maximum Gain= 13 dB Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)= 77dB (BW 22Hz-22Khz, +4dBu, 1Khz sine) Limiter Ratio= 10:1 Compressor Ratio = 3:1
Limiter: Attack= 15ms
Limiter Release = 200ms
Compressor: Attack= 75ms Release= 200ms
Attack/Release times measured under the following conditions: 4dB of Gain Reduction, 1kHz sine, +4dbu Input level, to 63% of total. Attack times are faster with higher input levels and heavier gain reduction.

Typically for complete release, release times increase up to a couple of seconds, depending on the amount of previous reduction.
Maximum Limiting (with +4dBu 1Khz sine) = 12dB
Maximum Compression (with +4dBu 1Khz sine)= 6dB
Side-Chain High Pass Filter= 80Hz (Internal user adjust jumper to 150Hz)
Automute warmup delay=30 seconds
Operating mains voltage= 90 to 254 VAC (internal universal power supply)
Mains voltage Frequency= 50-60 Hz
Power consumption = 26 Watts
Dimensions= (w,d,h) 19″ x 7 x 3 1⁄2″ (occupies 2u)
Unit weight = 9.5 Ib
Shipping weight= 10 Ib