Product Description
If there's one preamp style that professional engineers agree has set the tone for pop/rock records for decades, it's the classic '73-style mic pre. These preamps have been widely used in recording and live shows for years and are still the top choice today. The Warm Audio WA73 Family offers single and dual channel '73-style preamps, with or without EQ, paying tribute to British audio heritage. When we at Warm Audio decided to launch the WA73-EQ, we made sure it lived up to vintage standards in both design and performance. The unique and familiar tone of vintage '73-style mic preamps is what we aimed to reproduce accurately. After years of R&D, reverse-engineering, and countless auditions, the WA73-EQ was born! Key features include a 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 and hand-assembled construction, 80dB of gain with a resistor-stepped gain switch, fully discrete design, a tone button to change input transformer impedance for different tones, a polarity switch, and 48V phantom power. Technical specifications cover an inductor-based 3-band EQ with various frequency boost/cut options, additional high-band frequency EQ points compared to the vintage 1073, a 4-position inductor-based hipass filter, multiple input and output options, output control, LED level indication, a frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz +/-.5dB, 19' rack mountability, and an internal IEC 115V/230V power inlet.
Using the Warm Audio WA73-EQ is a breeze. First, connect your microphone to the XLR mic inputs, which are available on both the front and back. You can also use the line level TRS input if needed. Then, turn on the power. You can adjust the gain using the resistor-stepped gain switch to get the right volume. The tone button allows you to change the input transformer impedance and get different tones. The polarity switch can be used to invert the phase. The EQ section gives you control over the low, mid, and high frequencies, allowing you to shape the sound to your liking. The hipass filter helps cut out unwanted low frequencies. When it comes to maintenance, keep the preamp in a clean and dry place. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity. If there's dust, use a soft, dry cloth to clean it. Also, make sure to turn off the power before making any connections or disconnections to prevent damage. And that's all you need to know to get the most out of your WA73-EQ!
