Warm Audio WA73 Single-Channel British Microphone Preamplifier
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Description
The Warm Audio WA73 is a single-channel, Class A microphone preamplifier that recreates the 1073-style British console preamp. With 80 dB of gain through a fully discrete, hand-wired signal path using custom Carnhill UK transformers, the WA73 delivers the warm, full analog tone of the original British consoles in a compact 1U rack format.
Carnhill Transformers and Build
Custom input and output transformers from Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, reproduce the earliest and most sought-after transformer designs used in vintage 1073 consoles. The WA73 is hand-wired and hand-assembled with through-hole components populated by hand, maintaining the build approach that many engineers attribute to the original's distinctive sonic character. Tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path preserve fidelity to early British circuit designs.
Controls and Connectivity
A 22-position resistor-stepped gain switch provides 80 dB of range. The Tone button toggles input transformer impedance between 1200 and 300 Ohms, with the lower impedance adding air and top-end sheen suited to ribbon and darker dynamic microphones. A four-position inductor-based high-pass filter at 50, 80, 160, and 300 Hz handles low-frequency cleanup. Unbalanced send/return insert jacks allow patching in external processing before the output transformer. The front-panel instrument input accepts guitars, bass, keyboards, and synths directly.
Specifications
- Type: Single-channel, Class A, 1073-style British mic/line/instrument preamp
- Topology: Fully discrete, hand-wired, hand-assembled
- Transformers: Carnhill UK (custom, input and output)
- Gain: 80 dB (resistor-stepped)
- High-pass filter: 4-position (50, 80, 160, 300 Hz)
- Tone button: Switches input transformer impedance (1200/300 Ohms)
- Phantom power: +48V
- Polarity switch: Yes
- Ground lift: Yes
- EIN: -111 dBu (unweighted)
- Inputs: XLR mic, TRS line, TS instrument, TS insert send/return
- Outputs: XLR, TRS
- Metering: 5-segment LED
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB)
- Power: 115/230V, internal IEC
- Rack size: 1U, 19"
- Dimensions: 483 x 152 x 44 mm (19 x 6 x 1.8")
- Weight: 4.1 kg (9 lbs)
In the Box
- Warm Audio WA73
- IEC power cable