Serpent Audio Chimera
Opto Compressor
Compressor / Limiter$1,399Manufacturer list price
Specifications
- Type
- Compressor / Limiter
- Description
- Opto Compressor
- Topology
- Optical (opto), all-discrete transistor design, class AB transistor output
- Signal path
- Analog
- Channels
- 1
- Channel format
- mono (stereo linkable, 2 units required for stereo)
- Form factor
- 500-series module
- Connection
- 500-series (API VPR-compliant, ~100mA total power consumption)
- Country of manufacture
- USA
Details
Controls: Compress/Limit mode switch, HF Sidechain Boost (de-essing), VU meter (Sifam), Hard bypass (relay controlled)
I/O: Transformer-balanced input and output (Cinemag input transformer; custom-wound interstage and output transformers)
Notable use: LA-3A-style opto compressor using a user-replaceable/upgradable True T4B optical cell, in 500-series format
Notes: Site used: serpentaudio.com (official product page, confirmed live). High confidence. Lineage: explicitly described by manufacturer as replicating 'the vintage LA3A design' (opto/T4B cell lineage, not SSL-style VCA like the SB4001). Single-wide 500-series module, mono, stereo-linkable per manufacturer copy. price_usd basis: aggregated dealer price (Sweetwater/B&H-class US retail), July 2026 lookup; not shown on manufacturer's own page. year_intro left blank, not stated.