Description
A Single Channel '73 For The Rest Of Us
If there’s one style of preamp that professional engineers would unanimously agree has defined the tone of pop/rock records for decades, it would most definitely be the venerable '73-style of mic pre. '73-style preamps have been massively used in recording and live applications for many years and are still considered to be the “Holy Grail” of preamp choices today. The Warm Audio “WA73 Family” consists of single and dual channel '73-style preamps (with & w/out EQ), that each pay careful homage to British audio history.
When we at Warm Audio decided to release the WA73-EQ it was imperative that it met vintage expectation in both design and performance. The tone and sweet character that vintage '73-style mic preamps impart is so unique and familiar, that we had only the pure desire to release sonically accurate reproductions. After years of R&D, careful reverse-engineering, and countless hours of auditioning, the WA73-EQ has been born!
The WA73-EQ is a “Desert Island” boutique preamp, but it can also be classified as a studio and live work-horse. Classic '73-style preamps are known for being versatile tools that work with all kinds of microphones from Condenser, to Dynamic, to Ribbon. The WA73-EQ equally shines on all types of microphones and sources including; vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a tone shaping tool to run partial or complete mixes through. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete Carnhill Transformer balanced signal path, there’s no recording, mixing or engineering task that the WA73-EQ can’t handle.
Enthusiasts unequivocally get excited about the components used in classic '73-style British preamps. The signal transformers are a common topic of conversation. Vintage units used various versions of transformers throughout the years, but the most coveted were the earliest versions. These are regarded as the most desirable choice due to their fluid and forgiving nature. They saturate sweetly when pushed, and have been known to make engineers cry when they hear how beautiful their mixes sound through them! Warm Audio worked closely with Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to design faithful reproductions of these most coveted, early version transformers. We at Warm Audio have not yet heard a modern day '73-style preamp sound as sweet and musical as does our WA73-EQ with these beautiful custom Transformers.
Hand Wired & Hand Assembled
Classic '73-style preamps were often hand-wired and so is the WA73-EQ! Guru’s claim that a portion of the sought after classic British tone can be attributed to the hand-wired nature of the build. The WA73-EQ is hand-wired and hand assembled, including the pcb components that are all populated by hand.
Specifications
Single Channel, Class A, '73-style British Microphone Preamp with EQ
UK made Carnhill Transformers
UK made - Blore Edwards EQ dual-concentric switch potentiometers
Hand Wired, hand assembled
80dB of gain - resistor stepped gain switch
Fully discrete
TONE button - Changes input transformer impedance for varying tone
Polarity switch
48v phantom power
Inductor based 3 band EQ
Low Band Boost/Cut - 35, 60, 110, 220 Hz
Mid Band Boost/Cut - 360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800, 7200 Hz
High Band Boost/Cut - 10, 12, 16 kHz
Additional high band frequency EQ points added (compared to vintage 1073)
4 position inductor based hipass filter - 50, 80, 160, 300 Hz
XLR mic inputs (front & back)
Line level TRS input
TS Send/Receive insert jacks
XLR & TRS line level outputs
Direct In, instrument input
Output control
Led level indication
Freq response 20Hz - 20kHz /-.5 dB
19" rackable
Internal IEC 115v/230v power inlet
Capacitors & Signal Path
An important part of the classic British circuits not often discussed are the different styles of capacitors and output transistor used. We found it important to maintain integrity to the original design by using tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path and an output transistor choice that is much smoother in the high gain settings than what is typically found in modern '73-style reproductions.
UK Blore Edwards Switch-Pots
A great sounding '73-style circuit should be just as reliable as it is great sounding. The complex dual concentric switch potentiometers in the EQ sections of the WA273-EQ are made in the UK by Blore Edwards who manufacture military spec switches and potentiometers. The use of Blore-Edwards components is no small inclusion for a '73-style preamp-eq in this price range.
Shipping policy
At Parkway, we pride ourselves in our extreme attention to detail in our final inspection process prior to shipping you your gear.
Our professional techs and shipping department ensure that your instrument and/or gear will arrive to you in the expected condition and playing exceptionally, right out of the box. We guarantee it.
Brand New Gear
We offer FREE domestic shipping on most of our brand new instruments and gear within the Continental US. Please note that in the event of a return on items with free shipping, the original shipping cost, in addition to the return shipping cost, will be deducted from your refund. In the event of a defective or damaged product, we are happy to cover all shipping costs incurred.
Used & Vintage Gear
We offer flat rate shipping options for all of our used & vintage gear. Our goal here is to simply cover the cost of getting the item to you and we appreciate your understanding.
Local Pickup Only
Although you have the option for local pickup on all of our products, there are some items that we must mark as 'Local Pickup' only. These items include products that are just too large, or certain vintage gear that we deem to be too fragile.
International Shipping
Unfortunately we are not offering international shipping at this time.
Questions?
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