What We Think:
"The Universal Audio LA-3A is in many respects the child of marrying an LA-2A's opto circuit characteristics of compression and limiting with the agressive and pleasantly 'furry' amplification and output circuitry of the 1176LN. Thick and smooth all at once, it is not quite either of it's parents and exhibits a unique character all it's own. While it may not be quite as well documented in the lore and legend of recording as it's immediate counterparts, the LA-3A is no less powerful a voice and rounds out compression's 'Power Trio'. Pair up a couple of LA-3A units and you will have an opto stereo compressor that creates a very nice glue to your mix."
ALAN MOON - Front End Audio