DIY point to point Teletronix LA-2A build

Timelapse video of me building a Teletronix LA-2A clone.
I followed the recproaudio schematics and layouts:
www.recproaudio...
All the parts are individually sourced, this is not a kit build.

[@robertstapleton3598]

The skills (and tools) required to do this are amazing. You've done a great job!

[@fibes1]

Awsome video. I love LA2As. Finishing up a drip dual channel opto 7. Never tried point to point. What you're doing is art, keep up the good work and keep posting videos.

[@NRVE8]

What does point to point mean?

[@fibes1]

@@NRVE8 a circuit board using integrated circuits isn't being used. The active components are joined together with point to point wiring.

[@slyfoxx2973]

Radio station I worked at in the 90's had one of these between the board and the xmtr. Wouldn't be surprised if it was still there. I love old pro audio gear. Built like a tank and you can actually fix it.

[@gisellechacon7081]

That was awesome, thanks! Just another kind of tube amp, looks like... Nice workmanship!

[@FLH3official]

The Tubecracker , Waltz of the screws 😉 Cool video, like it!

[@leonardpeters3266]

That was an absolute classic. Grand.

[@fm694]

Perfect song choice! Nice job my man

[@switchmuso]

When you left at 12.05-ish, I thought you were coming back with a sledgehammer...

[@gabriel.nagos23]

This is gold! I love it 💯

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

KEEP IT UP! would love to see more

[@cbrooks0905]

This is that music you play when you know you've got a jump on everyone at life.

[@mano123456]

Glorious!

[@User-ik2kc]

I wish you could post the BOM or make a tutorial video on how you did everything exactly. Really want to build my own now as well, although I've never built a compressor.

[@DavidLenney]

I used the info on the recproaudio website. I think you can also find a BOM there.

[@stillalivebeats8407]

just... WOW

[@NRVE8]

Where did you go to source all these parts? I would love to do this myself...

[@onekingmusic7018]

How can we get these parts?

[@klamtmarco2114]

great job

[@hardswimminfish]

Man, just watched your video. Very nice. You've inspired me to build my own. I've built quite a few tube guitar amps, so some of this will be familiar, but some of it will be different. One question though. I didn't see the hinge that mounts the face plate to the chassis on your list of parts. Can you tell me where you found that? Thanks!

[@DavidLenney]

Hard Swimmin' Fish TV the hinge came with the enclosure I bought at Don Audio

[@yassinebakhtaoui1081]

Nice work man

[@roodsound]

Great work👍

[@producermind9030]

Wow. Just wow

[@pflykyle]

I have been slowly sourcing parts for a LA2A build, using the recproaudio schematics/build notes, but where did you find that awesome chassis and face plate?

[@DavidLenney]

I ordered the chassis, faceplate and vu meter from don audio: www.don-audio.com/Classic-LA-2A-Enclosure

[@pflykyle]

Thank you for the reply sir! You put it together like an expert. Your board looks excellent as well. Do you make your own or have them fabricated?

[@DavidLenney]

Main turret board is from mouser, part number 534-15033. Hole spacing fits the don audio chassis exactly.

[@stavroshouiris]

@@DavidLenney btw, when you bought the chassis, did it come with the Teletronix label at the front, I noticed they didn't show it on the website and assumed it could possible be for copyright reasons, but thought it'd ask you since you've bought it yourself, also thanks for the great and informative video, I'm probably gonna make my own some day

[@DavidLenney]

stavros houiris , when I ordered, it also had pictures of the chassis without the teletronix logo on the website. I was surprised to see the logo was on the frontpanel when it arrived

[@automationtraveler]

Love it

[@operasinger2126]

Bravo!

[@71dhwand]

Dope !!! Make a video of how it sounds next !

[@orthogonalrecords5657]

I can offer that here (at least to some extent): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJO1mGR_ptaIo80&

[@andreitimotin3599]

Congrats man, the build looks amazing, what brand did you use for valves? I know the right valves are 12AX7A, 12BH7A and 6AQ5A but there are lots of options, people on gearslutz say the RCA ones are "the best", which ones did u go for?

[@DavidLenney]

Honestly, I can’t remember. I’ll have a look next time i pull it from the rack..

[@mwestcc]

nice build

[@shwathekid]

What kind of circuit board is this? I’ve never seen one with studs before

[@ValdeckRocher]

Hello. I plan to do something like that, thank you to show how to do. There's a last detail I have to solve, what about the calibration of the beast ? I've buit a 1176 and this is not so easy even thought I had a good tuto. What about the calibration with this guy ? Thank you.

[@underpressureman]

@LenDavid , hey dude. I just got an La2a(clone) . I wanted your opinion on something. I was thinking about maybe trying to put a Teletronix VU meter in my La2a Clone, but when changing something like a VU do they need to be calibrated and stuff? Im guessing its not as simple as just swapping them out?

[@DavidLenney]

If the specs are roughly the same, swapping out shouldn’t be a problem. There is a adjustment pot for the VU i think. I’d have to look up the schematic to be sure

[@dkrecording3324]

IF I WANT YOU TO BUILD ONE FOR ME HOW MUCH IT COST? PLS LMK

[@garyshirinian]

Great work thx for sharing. Where can I buy a kit like that. Also how much it will cost.

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

I love these plugins, what is the build cost and skill level? You make it look so simple but curious.

[@DavidLenney]

Build cost is hard to say, i built this a couple of years ago and the vintage utc transformers have gone up in price significantly since. You could use modern repro transformers. I built mine for around $1200. I’ve got basic soldering skills and built various fx-pedals and tube amps in the past. All copying existing designs.

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

​@@DavidLenney Great info. I am curious why the transformers are special, are they wound silver or something? Isn't a transformer just a matter of coils on either side or is there something special about how these are made? I am someone with just a little more than basic knowledge of electronics (a little tech type ham training and some college electronics courses). I have never encountered a smaller transformer that costs that much, why is it? Thanks for sharing all this great info.

[@DavidLenney]

@@WilliamAshleyOnline yes and no, transformers ARE just coils wrapped around a core. But the way it’s wound, the materials used in the laminations of the coil all have an impact on the way it sounds. (What harmonic overtones it creates) As for the price of these vintage utc transformers.. Why does anyone pay 300k for a ‘59 Les Paul? Does it sound better than a modern reissue? It’s all about supply and demand. The transformers are rare and they’re just not being made anymore. There are modern reproductions with similar characteristics which will get you there 80% soundwise. The “mojo” lies in the last 20% (vintage transformers, nos tubes, resistors, good capacitors) And in the end it’s all about HOW you use the unit in the production you’re using it on!

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

​@@DavidLenney So do vintage transformers also have a shelf life like electrolytics? I have done some conservation / preservation studies in college (material science ) for museums including plastics and electronics, I am curious if vintage kit transformers also degrade such that you would go for Reproductions rather than vintage transformers if you happened to find them in one of the vintage electronics shops around the world. Yes I use the UA plugins, and love the compressors tons of plugins emulate these but usually people say the actua hardware gets a little bit more --- and a the FETs and tubes can have distinct character that is specific to the hardware imo -- I am very intersted in vintage electronics so just putting time into researching this but want to be as informed as possible before attempting anything and understanding how different components (ceramic vs electrolytic, new kit vs old kit, FET/mosfet etc.. vs tube vs IC, actually affect the signal. There is a lot in common with Ham audio applications but pro audio seems even more specific and specialized. Great info. I am curious if the soviet block made these transformers at all as they seemed to carry on Tube manufacture later on due to later adoption of transistors and IC in their electronics. Is there a good book or resource on these older transformers and the materials they used?

[@gtr-hub2600]

Great job!What power transformer did you used?

[@JMLRecording]

Don Audio no longer silkscreens “teletronix” on the faceplates which SUCKS.

[@rickyarte]

amazing work mem, but where did you find all components, on ebay? could you give me some tips, so thanks!

[@DavidLenney]

I got them on ebay and various other websites. Most things are easy to find but the correct vintage transformers only show up once in a while on ebay

[@user-hs4to2uq4j]

@@DavidLenney can only find optimus Prime 😬

[@evosphone1444]

Amazing! It's on sale?

[@DanielSilvestriProd]

Wow man, it looks awesome! Is there a specific technique to have those wires bent at 90 degrees angle and so attached to the chassis? What do you think are the most difficult parts of the build?

[@DavidLenney]

DanielSilvestriProd No specific technique, just measuring the correct wire lengths. Hardest part of the build is sourcing the right parts and the wiring.

[@maba5219]

@@DavidLenney did you reverse engineer it or use a schematic.. Cheers

[@DavidLenney]

@@maba5219 i used a schematic, the 1968 version

[@maba5219]

@@DavidLenney cool man, very cool

[@maba5219]

@@DavidLenney additional question. How much did it roughly cost in parts?

[@georgefisher5648]

How many it will be cost if you pick together one for me?

[@Wessbredbullykennel]

How much did it cost you?

[@ashenone3427]

how much it cost o build? do it sound identical to the real thing?

[@qwertandrew8720]

wow, nice !! Do you sell them too ?

[@paulcattenstart5943]

where can i get a teletronix frontpanel. recpro audio is out of the air i guess... :-(

[@Theyrewrong827]

Where did you get the chassis?

[@OperationChicago]

Nice, build me one please

[@jules.paul_playa]

Hi ! How much for this kind of diy LA2A ? thks

[@GikiOfficial]

x2

[@DavidLenney]

I paid somewhere around $1500 for all the parts..

[@ToniJXN]

Is this the analogvibes kit?

[@DavidLenney]

No, not a kit

[@onekingmusic7018]

Could I buy one of these from you for much less than the actual price?

[@absent_]

Hoi van waar ben je? Ik ga ervan uit een Belg of Nederlander?

[@DavidLenney]

NL inderdaad

[@alicefaivre-duolua]

where did you find the enclosure? thanks!

[@DavidLenney]

Alice Faivre , bought it at Don Audio. I think the new ones come without the teletronix silkscreen..

[@freebeat2289]

where can I find all the parts?

[@freebeat2289]

and what are the overall costs of the whole build?

[@davidvuto]

Beautiful!!! Exscuse me...could you write the component of mouser you bought. I would to assemble a teletronix, I have some competences but I don't know the correct value of the component. you would do me a great favor! Tank you very much.

[@DavidLenney]

Thanks! I used the schematics and layout from recproaudio.. www.recproaudio.com/diy_pro_audio/teletronix_la2a.htm All the parts are listed with correct values.

[@davidvuto]

Ok Tank you, but the site that you wrote to buy enclosure doesn't sell the panel rack with teletronix decal

[@Johan-fw8re]

Sorry for being uncontrollaby sentimental but this was something else, and you just handed all schematics, documentation and BOM without blinking. I’m speechless, you are a great man! Massive amounts of Karma coming your way ;)

[@seanlogsdon2293]

Can you build me one?

[@qddk9545]

You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy.

[@71dhwand]

That looked very complicated !!!

[@LFOVCF]

I even put the speeded up film on x2 and it still too ages lol

[@AlexVidrov]

Is there a link for this kit? I’d love to build one.

[@abhisheksrivastava3787]

Components itself aren't costly. Why the hell they are priced so costly then ?? Speaking about components etc, a microwave/washing machine/fridge has much heavier and more internal components, electronic circuits and chasis as well as!

[@zachary963]

Because microwaves aren’t legendary and supposedly magical lol

[@christopherdunn317]

Considering they cost $5000 and up this would be worth it

[@jrjr3754]

🫡🫡🫡

[@tothebridle]

Nothing sounds like this. Whatever pluggin you want. They will never sound like this does. End of story 😉

[@thallrudedjentstorm1756]

I have the skill and knowledge, what ever. But I don't have the money..

[@zdogg8]

Probably the most annoying audio mix on the Internet.

[@dimitryshk]

I'm sure this thing is noisy as hell

[@releasseofficial]

Love it