Heritage Audio 609A Elite

Heritage Audio HA 609A Elite is a professional 2-channel dynamic compressor and limiter with XLR inputs and outputs, designed for installation in 19-inch racks, where it occupies a height of 2U. It is perfect for processing musical instrument signals, submixes, and stereo mastering.

The unit is equipped with balanced inputs and outputs with Carnhill/St Ives transformers and St. Ives transformers in the signal paths to isolate the diode bridges. The outputs are controlled by 73 Type Class A amplifiers. The compressor can operate in dual mono or stereo mode. HA-609A offers standard and fast attack times in the compressor and limiter sections, as well as wide threshold ranges (-20 – +20 dBu) and limiter levels (0 – +20 dBu). The compression ratio has five fixed values: 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1. The compressor's recovery time can be switched between 100, 400, 800, and 1500 ms, as well as two automatic modes A1 and A2. The limiter's recovery time has switchable fixed values of 50, 100, 200, and 800 ms, as well as two automatic modes A1 and A2. Each channel has a true bypass function for A/B listening.

On the front panel there are two large volume knobs to clearly display attenuation / gain for each channel. On the rear panel there are balanced 3-pin XLR connectors for connection to audio equipment.

HA 609A Elite Key Features

• Suitable for musical instruments, for recording, mixing and mastering audio signals
• Each channel with a fully discrete Class A circuit with three Carnhill/St. Ives transformers
• Rotary switches and precision, stepped potentiometers
• Wide range of compression and limiter thresholds
• Standard and fast attack time
• True bypass on each channel
• Bypass for individual compressor and limiter functions
• Made in Spain, hand-assembled.

HA 609A Elite Technical Specifications

• 2-channel compressor/limiter
• 2 x Balanced XLR audio inputs
• 2 x Balanced XLR audio outputs
• Maximum input level above +22 dBu
• Maximum output level above +26.5 dBu at 600 ohms
• Self-noise below -75 dBu (20 Hz – 20 kHz), -80 dBu (A-weighted)
• THD+N (50 Hz – 20 kHz) below 0.07% at +20 dBu
• Frequency response 15 Hz – 30 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB)
• Input impedance 10 kOhms
• Output impedance below 75 Ohms
• Compressor threshold from -20 to +20 dBu
• Compression ratio 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1
• Compressor recovery time 100, 400, 800, 1500 ms, A1 and A2 (automatic)
• Limiter level from 0 to +20 dBu
• Limiter recovery time 50, 100, 200, 800 ms, A1 and A2 (automatic)