Golden Age Audio - COMP 3A

The Golden Age Audio COMP-3A has been designed to recapture the charm, musicality and ease of use of historic optical compressors. Its topology is based on a 100% vintage philosophy: no integrated circuits in the signal path, just carefully selected discrete components and input/output on dedicated transformers, each optimised for its role.

This approach is reminiscent of the way professional equipment was designed before the advent of modern, more compact but sometimes less sonically flattering technologies.

At the heart of the COMP-3A is a T4-type electro-optical attenuator, responsible for its content-dependent compression. This type of cell reacts differently depending on the energy transmitted, offering fluid, natural behaviour adapted to most sources, without complex adjustments.

The unit remains extremely intuitive: two main controls, Gain and Peak Reduction, allow you to quickly find a musical setting, whether you want to soften a voice, stabilise a bass line or give relief to an acoustic guitar.

The HF control lets you adjust the sensitivity of the detection chain to mid and high frequencies, which can be useful for fine-tuning the compressor's response. The large, switchable meter makes it easy to evaluate gain reduction or output level.

The COMP-3A also features a hardwire bypass, a Link mode for stereo use and an external power supply to avoid any interaction with the audio stages. Compact, robust and versatile, it offers the sought-after character of classic optical compressors at an affordable price.