Golden Age Project PRE-73 Premier Microphone Preamp
Best professional sound for budget conscious studio engineers.
This single-channel preamp delivers a warm, punchy, and musical analog sound, reminiscent of classic 1073 modules. It utilizes an all-discrete component signal path for authentic vintage character. Offering up to 80 dB of gain, it excels with quiet sources and passive ribbon mics. Features include transformer-balanced I/O, switchable impedance for tonal shaping, and a high-impedance instrument input for direct instrument recording. Selectable high-pass filters and an output pad provide further control over your sound.
$499.00
More PRE-73 Options
Age Project Pre-73 DLX Premier Microphone Preamp
$599.00
Golden Age Project PRE-73 DLX PREMIER
$649.00
Golden Age Project PRE573 Plus MKII
$399.00
Golden Age Project Pre-73 DLX MK II
$449.00
Golden Age Project Pre573 MKIII
$299.00
Golden Age Premier Pre-73
$499.00
Golden Age Audio Project PRE-73 MKIV
$327.00
Golden Age PRE-73 DLX MKII
$449.99
Golden Age Audio PRE-73 DLX MKII
$449.00
Golden Age Project PRE-73 Jr PREMIER
$449.00
Golden Age Project PRE-73 JR Microphone Preamplifier
$193.59
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
48
/ 566
#48 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-69%
Below average
Chassis
19
/ -inch Rack-Mount
Who it's for
- Home studio producers seeking classic, character-rich sound for vocals and instruments.
- Budget-conscious engineers desiring premium analog warmth without breaking the bank.
- Discerning audio enthusiasts prioritizing superior build and sonic performance.
Who should skip it
- High-end studios or purists expecting identical sonic signature to the original.
- Engineers needing an all-in-one channel strip solution for tracking.
- Studio owners preferring integrated power supplies for cleaner rack organization.
Performance breakdown
Vintage Character
Discrete circuitry delivers that sought-after classic 1073 harmonic richness.
Gain Versatility
80 dB of headroom handles quiet ribbon mics with effortless clarity.
Tonal Shaping
Switchable impedance and high-pass filters offer excellent control over source texture.
Build Integrity
Transformer-balanced I/O provides a robust, professional-grade signal path.
Instrument Flexibility
High-impedance DI input makes tracking guitars and basses quick and clean.
Overdrive Control
The output pad allows for aggressive gain staging without clipping converters.
Key Specs
Chassis
19-inch Rack-Mount
Rack Spaces
1/2U
Input Connectors
XLR Combo Jack TRS
Output Connectors
1/4-inch TRS, Analog XLR
Phantom Power
Yes
High Pass Filter
Selectable 6 dB/octave at ~80 Hz or ~200 Hz
Input Pad
14 dB
Phase Reverse
Yes
Know before you buy
With up to 80 dB of gain available, this preamp provides plenty of clean headroom for quiet sources and passive ribbon microphones that typically require significant amplification.
Yes, the front-panel high-impedance instrument input is designed specifically for direct recording. It allows you to plug your instrument directly into the preamp to capture its signal through the discrete analog circuitry.
Switchable impedance allows you to change how the preamp interacts with your microphone's output. This alters the frequency response and transient character, giving you more tonal options to either brighten or soften the sound of your mic.
You can push the input gain higher to drive the transformer and circuitry for a thicker, saturated vintage tone, then use the 14 dB output pad to lower the signal level before it hits your interface, preventing digital clipping.
The PRE-73 Premier is a 1/2U rack-mount unit. You will need a rack shelf or a compatible mounting kit if you intend to install it alongside other 19-inch rack gear.
The unit features selectable high-pass filters at approximately 80 Hz or 200 Hz, both with a 6 dB/octave slope. These are useful for cleaning up low-end rumble or proximity effect during the initial recording stage.
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