Golden Age Project PRE-73 PREMIER Preamp

Full Description

A pre-amp delivering vintage sound

The Pre-73 Premier benefits from a vintage style build. Built the way audio components used to be, the input and output of the Pre-73 are transformer balanced individually. Each one optimised for the purpose. This greatly improves noise rejection and reduces hum on the audio.

A -14dB output switch also allows to overdrive the output stage and really benefit from the transformer. The output level control can also be used to overload gain stages to create more character. The circuit used in the Pre-73 Premier bares similarities to the iconic Neve 1073, replicating the warm, musical sound. Neve 1073 has been a part of iconic studios for decades. The Pre-73 Premier manages to bring the essence of this legendary equipment to the masses.

Golden Age Premier line

The Pre-73 Premier differs from the Golden Age Project Pre-73 Plus by soldering every connection apart from the gain switch. This means higher signal quality and long-term reliability thanks to the Premier needing a total of 48 less connections.

A practical preamp with a classic look

The Pre-73 front panel design maintains the look of a vintage preamp. A quality gain dial matches the aesthetic of the 1073, whilst allowing up to 80dB maximum gain in mic mode. This is enough for passive ribbon microphones on quiet sources.

The front of the Pre-73 Premier also features four buttons, devoted to phantom power (+48v), switching to line input, Low-Z and DI input. The DI input is also located on the front of the Pre-73 Premier, ideal if the preamp is placed in a rack. Switches for a selectable 6 dB/octave high pass filter at around 80 Hz or 200 Hz complete the Pre-73 Premier.

Reviews

"Gentle but effective tonal shaping at source. In essence, these new Premier preamps continue the already excellent GA Project heritage, but add great vintage looksand a more reliable and better-sounding construction" Sound On Sound

Features

• No integrated circuits in the signal path.
• Maximum gain in mic mode is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources.
• Gain switch range is 20 - 80 dB. Line mode switch, gain is reduced by 30 dB in line mode
• Selectable 6 dB/octave high pass filter at around 80 Hz (HP1) or 200 Hz (HP2)
• 14 dB output pad allowing the user to overdrive the output stage and transformer
• Switchable impedance in mic mode, 1200 or 300 Ohm, will change the tone of most mics. The input impedance in line mode is 10 kOhm
• Switchable phantom power and absolute phase
• A simple but effective 4-step LED output level meter.The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage(s) for more character
• Combo XLR/TRS input jack and separate output XLR and TRS jacks for flexible connections
• A high-impedance instrument input for any sound module, electric guitar or bass

Specifications

• Preamp Type: Solid State
• Number of Channels: Single channel
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Pads: -14dB (output pad)
• Polarity Switch: Yes
• EQ: Air EQ, Highpass Filter 80Hz/200Hz
• Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR-1/4 inch combo (mic/line), 1 x 1/4 inch (Hi-Z)
• Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4 inch
• Channel Inserts: 1 x 1/4 inch
• Power Source: 24V AC power supply
• Product code: PRE73PREMIER