Golden Age Audio PRE-73 Deluxe Premier One Channel Vintage Style Preamplifier

Golden Age Audio PRE-73 Deluxe Premier Overview
The Golden Age Audio PRE-73 Deluxe Premier is a one-channel, vintage-style preamplifier that brings classic analog warmth and punch to your recordings. Perfect for microphones, line-level signals, and instruments, this preamp delivers the rich, musical character that has been cherished by engineers and musicians for decades. The PRE-73 DLX Premier is designed with discrete components, including high-quality UK-made Carnhill transformers, to provide an authentic vintage sound that stands up against modern digital equipment. Whether you're recording vocals, instruments, or adding some color to line signals, this preamp ensures your sound is warm, full-bodied, and musical.

Vintage-Style Sound with Modern Flexibility
The PRE-73 DLX Premier uses vintage-style electronics, with no integrated circuits in the signal path. This design approach mimics the signal path of the classic 1073 preamp, known for its punchy, sweet, and musical characteristics that have been heard on countless iconic recordings. The circuit uses only resistors, capacitors, and transistors, preserving the classic sound of vintage equipment. With its 80 dB of gain, this preamp is capable of handling a wide range of microphones, including passive ribbon mics, and is suitable for nearly any recording situation. Whether you’re capturing quiet vocals or loud instruments, the PRE-73 DLX Premier delivers a versatile sound that works well in various genres and recording environments.

High-Quality Components for Superior Performance
The signal path of the PRE-73 DLX Premier features UK-made Carnhill transformers that ensure high-quality, transformer-balanced inputs and outputs. These transformers are optimized for both mic and line inputs, providing excellent sound clarity and preserving the true character of your recordings. The preamp is also equipped with tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in traditional positions to enhance the signal quality. This combination of premium components allows the PRE-73 DLX Premier to maintain a clean, clear sound while adding that vintage warmth and punch that many engineers and musicians crave.

Versatile Gain and Impedance Control
The PRE-73 DLX Premier offers a wide range of gain control and impedance settings to suit different microphones and instruments. The 23-position gain switch provides precise control over the input signal, while the switchable impedance on the mic input (1200 or 300 ohms) allows you to customize the tone of many microphones. This feature is ideal for engineers looking to dial in the perfect sound for their specific setup. Additionally, the line input offers a gain range from -20 to +10 dB, making the PRE-73 DLX Premier a versatile preamp that can handle both low-level and high-output sources.

Advanced Features for Better Sound Shaping
The PRE-73 DLX Premier offers a range of features that make it easy to shape your sound and achieve the perfect recording. The selectable 1073-style highpass filter allows you to remove unwanted low-frequency rumble, with settings at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz. The AIR EQ switch provides a 3dB or 6dB boost at around 30 kHz, giving your sound a brilliant high-end sheen and enhancing the presence of vocals and other instruments. The insert jack allows you to easily integrate external EQs or compressors into your signal chain, making it even easier to shape your sound on the fly.

Control and Flexibility for the Perfect Mix
One of the standout features of the PRE-73 DLX Premier is its output level control and output pad. The output level control enables fine gain adjustments, allowing you to drive the main gain stage for added character while still lowering the signal to a suitable level for your recording setup. The output pad provides even more flexibility by offering a -7, -14, -21, or -28 dB attenuation, which lets you push the output stage and transformer for added saturation and warmth, all while controlling the output level. The 4-step LED output level meter ensures that you can monitor your signal levels accurately and maintain optimal recording conditions.

Durable and Reliable Design for Long-Term Use
Built with longevity in mind, the PRE-73 DLX Premier features solid construction and high-quality components that ensure years of reliable use. The unit’s external power supply helps to prevent any interaction with audio circuits and transformers, maintaining a clean signal path. The internal circuitry uses relays to control phantom power, impedance settings, insert routing, and DI input, ensuring that all signal paths are clean and efficient. The preamp also includes a star grounding scheme, which helps to eliminate noise and maintain excellent performance, making it ideal for both home studios and professional environments.