8.4Great
CLA-2A (Waves) — effect from Waves. Score 8.4/10, price $35–$149, formats and comparisons.
Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
CLA-2A (Waves) — effect from Waves. Score 8.4/10, price $35–$149, formats and comparisons.
UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection includes Silver, Gray, and LA-2 optical compressor models for smooth leveling on vocals, bass, and more.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection comes out ahead (8.8). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | CLA-2A | UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35–$149 | $49+ |
| Dubspot Score | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Product type | effect from Waves | — |
| Developer | Waves | — |
| Typical price | $35–$149 | — |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | — |
| Primary job | focused effect work in modern sessions | — |
| Catalog status | Current as of 2026 | — |
| Models | — | LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, LA-2 |
| Type | — | Optical tube leveling amplifier / compressor |
| Classic uses | — | Vocals, bass, drums, acoustic sources |
| Platform | — | Native macOS/Windows; Apollo realtime tracking supported |
| Authorization | — | iLok account |
| Trial | — | 14-day demos available on eligible UAD native plugins |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.