UK Sound 1073 Microphone Preamp/EQ
Best premium preamp for professional studio sound and classic tone.
This microphone preamp and EQ offers a faithful recreation of a classic 1073 unit, engineered for exceptional sound quality at an accessible price. It features all Class A, transformer-coupled circuitry, providing up to 80 dB of gain. The design includes essential features like Hi-Z direct inputs on the front panel and 48V phantom power for microphones. Its output level control acts as a fader, perfect for direct recording. Hand-built in the USA, this unit brings vintage-inspired performance to modern studios.
$1500.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
48
/ 566
#48 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-8%
Below average
Circuit Type
Class A, transformer-coupled
/ Class A, transformer-coupled
Who it's for
- Audio engineers seeking classic British console sound for their recordings.
- Producers needing an expressive analog equalizer to sculpt their tracks.
- Studio professionals requiring durable, high-performance gear for daily use.
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious musicians or home studio owners with limited funds.
- Engineers prioritizing pristine, uncolored signal paths for specific projects.
- Stereo recording artists needing dual channels without extra cost.
Performance breakdown
Sonic Character
Transformer-coupled circuitry delivers that sought-after vintage warmth and harmonic richness.
Gain Headroom
With 80 dB available, it handles even the quietest ribbon microphones effortlessly.
Build Integrity
Hand-built construction using premium components ensures long-term reliability in professional studios.
EQ Versatility
Classic frequency curves provide musical tone shaping for any tracking scenario.
Workflow Integration
Front-panel DI and fader-style output control streamline modern direct recording sessions.
Component Quality
St. Ives transformers and Elma switches offer authentic, high-end signal path performance.
Key Specs
Circuit Type
Class A, transformer-coupled
Gain
80 dB
Transformers
St. Ives (Carnhill)
Switches
Elma
Wire
Canford
Input
Hi-Z direct input on front panel
Phantom Power
48 V on front panel
Inputs
Balanced mic input, line input (XLR rear)
Know before you buy
The UK Sound 1073 is designed as a faithful recreation that utilizes high-quality components like St. Ives (Carnhill) transformers and Elma switches to achieve that classic, transformer-coupled sound at a more accessible price point.
Yes, the unit features a front-panel Hi-Z direct input specifically designed for instruments. This allows you to plug your guitar or bass directly into the preamp to take advantage of its Class A circuitry.
The output level control acts as a fader, allowing you to drive the input gain harder for more saturation while managing the final signal level sent to your interface. This is particularly useful for achieving a 'pushed' vintage tone without clipping your converters.
With 80 dB of gain available, this unit has plenty of headroom to cleanly amplify low-output ribbon microphones, which often require significant gain to reach optimal recording levels.
Yes, this is a standard rackmount unit. You will need a single rack space (1U) in a standard 19-inch studio rack to house the device.
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