If you are looking for the sound of the LA-2A without the price tag or the legal risks, the good news is that the modern freeware market is incredibly advanced. While they may not have the exact component modeling of a UAD plugin, they capture the vibe effectively.
This design results in a program-dependent attack and release. It doesn't squash the transient; it gently rides the dynamics in a way that feels incredibly natural. It is famous for imparting a thick, creamy harmonic distortion that adds weight to bass and a silky sheen to vocals. teletronix la-2a free download