Warm Audio WA73 Microphone Preamp

The legendary 1073 wrote the book on characterful mic preamplification. This venerable circuit helped define the punchy sound of '70s rock — and countless recordings and live concerts ever since. Today, this coveted tone can be yours for a song, with the Warm Audio WA73 mic/line/instrument preamp. In both design and performance, the WA73 pays homage to the revered British console lineage that started it all. Throughout the audio industry, the 1073 is considered the holy grail of preamps, with a rich, sweet, and bold tonality that's ideal for making audacious statements with your music. After years of R&D, painstaking reverse-engineering, and countless hours of listening, Warm Audio captured the sonic essence of this classic perfectly in their boutique WA73. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete transformer-balanced signal path, the sound is a revelation: harmonically rich bottom end, focused midrange, and slightly resonant highs.

FEATURES

• Handwired and hand-assembled, single-channel 1073-style preamplifier
• Fully discrete, Class A, transformer-balanced circuitry
• UK-made Carnhill Transformers
• 80dB of gain handles any type of microphone, including low-output ribbons
• Resistor-stepped rotary gain switch for easy recall
• Tone button changes input transformer impedance for mic optimization and tonal shaping
• Polarity switch
• 48V phantom power
• 4-position inductor-based highpass filter, selectable for Off, 50, 80, 160, or 300Hz
• XLR mic input
• Line-level TRS input
• TS Send/Receive insert jacks
• XLR and TRS line-level outputs
• DI instrument input
• Output level control
• LED level indication meter
• Rugged 19" rackmount chassis
• Ground lift switch
• Internal IEC 115V/230V power inlet

SPECIFICATIONS

• Preamp Type:Class A Solid State
• Number of Channels:1
• Phantom Power:Yes
• Polarity Switch:Yes
• EQ:Highpass 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, 300Hz
• Analog Inputs:1 x 1/4" (Hi-Z), 1 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/4" (line)
• Analog Outputs:1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
• Channel Inserts:Yes
• Rack Spaces:1U
• Power Source:Standard IEC AC cable
• Width:19"