Golden Age Audio PRE-73 Premier
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- This item is covered for 3 years
What you need to know
What you need to know
- Vintage grain inspired by 1073 preamps: a warm, punchy, smooth, and musical sound, ideal for adding character right from the recording stage.
- 100% discrete architecture: signal path based on resistors, capacitors, and transistors, without integrated circuits.
- Transformer-balanced input and output: two dedicated transformers, each optimized for its role, delivering a rich sonic signature and excellent transient response.
- Complete versatility: a single channel with three uses (mic, line, instrument) offering up to 80 dB of gain.
Manufacturer Information
Golden Age Audio
https://www.goldenageaudio.com
sales@raddist.com
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Safety manager:
Hyperactive Audiotechnik GmbH
Email: info@hyperactive.de
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A Studio Classic Revisited in an Affordable Version
The PRE-73 PREMIER captures the spirit of console preamps that made recording history, featuring a circuit close to the preamp section of a 1073 module. The result: an instantly recognizable color, capable of thickening a vocal, adding density to a snare drum, or enriching an acoustic guitar without losing musicality. This "transformer + discrete" approach modernizes an audio design method inherited from the pre-integrated circuit era, providing an organic and flattering response.
Who It's For and Its Uses in Home Studio and Professional Studio
This preamp is aimed at musicians, sound engineers, and content creators seeking an external preamp with character to step up from the built-in preamps of an audio interface. It excels on vocals (condenser or dynamic mics), guitars (mic or DI), bass on instrument input, and more demanding sources thanks to its high gain. Whether recording or reamping line sources, it becomes a simple yet highly expressive tool, perfect for building a solid tracking chain.
Control, Color, and Sonic Options Serving the Recording
Stepped Gain and Switchable Impedance
The stepped gain control (23 positions in 5 dB increments) facilitates recall of settings and consistency between sessions. The switchable mic impedance (1200 or 300 Ohms) allows adapting the mic load to refine attack, level, and color, especially useful with certain dynamics and ribbons.
High-Pass Filter and "Air" to Open Up the High End
The switchable high-pass filter (80 Hz or 200 Hz) helps clean up vibrations, proximity noise, or overwhelming low frequencies right at the input. The "Air EQ" function adds a boost in the extreme high frequencies (+3 or +6 dB at 30 kHz) to enhance presence and a sense of airiness without hardening the upper mids.
Technical specifications
| Number of channels | 1 | EQ | Filter |
| Maximum gain | 80 dB | Switchable Air EQ boost | +3 or +6 dB at 30 kHz |
| Microphone gain range | 20 to 80 dB | Balanced line outputs | XLR and 6.3 mm jack |
| Switchable microphone impedance | 1200 or 300 Ohms | Design | desktop format |
| Switchable high-pass filter | 80 Hz and 200 Hz | ||
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Questions frequently asked
Is the Golden Age Audio PRE-73 Premier suitable for dynamic and ribbon microphones?
The microphone impedance is switchable between 1,200 and 300 ohms, allowing the load to be matched to certain dynamic or ribbon microphones. The mic gain reaches 80 dB, with an adjustable range from 20 to 80 dB.
What sound does a 1073-type preamp add to a vocal?
The circuit is inspired by the preamp section of a 1073 module, featuring a transformer design and discrete components. This architecture aims to thicken a vocal and add body.
Is the high-pass filter adjustable?
Two cutoff frequencies are available: 80 Hz and 200 Hz. They help reduce vibrations, proximity effect, or excessive bass right from the source.
What is the purpose of the Air EQ function?
This function adds +3 or +6 dB at 30 kHz. It opens up the extreme high frequencies and adds more airiness without boosting the upper mids.
Can a bass or guitar be recorded with this preamp?
The instrument input allows using a bass or guitar direct. The gain is controlled by a 23-position stepped selector with 5 dB increments, facilitating recall of settings.
