A Single Channel '73 for the Rest of Us

If there's one style of preamp that professional engineers would unanimously agree has defined the tone of pop/rock records for decades, it would most definitely be the venerable 73-style of mic pre. '73-style preamps have been massively used in recording and live applications for many years and are still considered to be the “Holy Grail” of preamp choices today. The Warm Audio “WA73 Family” consists of single and dual-channel '73-style amps (with and without EQ) that each pay careful homage to British audio history.

The WA73 is a “Desert Island” boutique preamp, but it can also be classified as a studio and live work-horse. Classic 73-style preamps are known for being versatile tools that work with all kinds of microphones, from Condenser to Dynamic to Ribbon. The WA73 equally shines on all types of microphones and sources, including vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a tone shaping tool to run partial or complete mixes through. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete Carnhill Transformer balanced signal path, there's no recording, mixing, or engineering task that the WA73 can't handle.

Features:

• Like the original 73-series British console preamp, the WA73 series preamps include all the features that deliver a complete and professional recording experience.
• The high-pass filter makes it easy to remove unwanted noise from the bass frequencies that plague recording and mixing.
• Switchable unbalanced send/return inserts make it possible to add a compressor, EQ, or your favorite processing gear before hitting the output transformer.
• The classic Warm Audio “tone” control alters the input transformer impedance from 1200Ω to 300Ω, adding “air” or “sheen” to the top end - great for ribbons or “darker” mics.
• The WA73 also includes critical preamp features like 48V phantom power, instrument & line-level inputs, XLR/TRS input/output options, and polarity inversion to handle varying recording demands.

Specifications:

• Single Or Dual-Channel, Class A, ''73-Style British Console Microphone Preamp.
• Polarity Switch.
• 48v Phantom Power.
• 4 Position Inductor-Based High Pass Filter - 50, 80, 160, 300 Hz.
• XLR Mic Input.
• Line Level TRS Input.
• TS (Unbalanced) Send/Receive Insert Jacks.
• XLR & TRS Line Level Outputs.
• Direct In, Instrument Input.
• Output Control.
• LED Level Indication.
• 19" Rack-Mountable.
• Ground Lift Switch.
• Internal IEC 115v/230v Power Inlet.
• Single Chassis Depth: 7.25” | 18.13 cm.
• Dual Chassis Depth: 11” | 27.5 cm.

Components & Internal Specs (Per Channel)

• UK-Made Carnhill Transformers.
• Hand-Wired, Hand-Assembled, Fully Discrete.

Performance Specs (Per Channel)

• 80 dB of Gain - Resistor Stepped Gain Switch.
• Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-.5 dB.
• Tone Button - Changes Input Transformer Impedance For Varying Tone.
• Polarity Switch.