Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII Half Rack Preamp

Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII Half Rack Preamp

The PRE-73 MKIII is a one-channel vintage-style microphone, line, and instrument preamplifier. The signal path uses only discrete components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors. The in and output is transformer balanced, using two different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose. This is the way audio components were built before integrated circuits became available.

Main Features

The circuit used in the PRE-73 MKIII is like the preamp section in the classical 1073 module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet, and musical. These classic characteristics have been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres. The essence of this sound is now available at a surprisingly low cost, making it available to nearly everyone.

Key Features:

• Vintage Style electronics. No integrated circuits in the signal path.
• Maximum gain in MIC mode is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources.
• GAIN switch range 20 -80 dB. GAIN/LINE mode switch, gain is reduced by 30 dB in LINE mode.
• Selectable two position high frequency AIR boost eq, 3 or 6 dB @ 30 kHz.
• Selectable 6 dB/octave two frequency high pass filter at around 40 (HP1) and 170 Hz (HP2).
• Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.
• Switchable impedance in MIC mode, 1200 or 300 Ohms, will change the tone of most mics. The input impedance in LINE mode is 10 Kohm.
• Switchable phantom power and absolute phase.
• High-impedance instrument input for any sound module, electric guitar, or bass.
• A simple but effective 4-step LED output level meter.
• The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and to overload the main gain stage(s) for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage.
• Combo XLR/TRS input jack and separate output XLR and TRS jacks for flexible connections.
• Insert jack for inserting EQs and other units.
• Selectable 600-ohm output termination.
• The PCB is prepared for the Carnhill input transformer.
• External power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits and transformers.
• A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use.