Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII Plus

Full Description

Vintage-Style Electronics

The Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII bases its design on vintage microphone preamps, utilising the same-style circuitry found in classic mic pre’s. The PRE-73 MKIII builds on the success of the MKII version, incorporating new tantalum capacitors within its signal path, as well as unique controls for shaping and sculpting your sound. One of the most prominent changes to the design is the revised and streamlined Gain switch, featuring a separate switch for the mic/line selection. All of the gain settings can now also be used in LINE mode for added flexibility. The all-discrete circuitry is reminiscent of older preamps, capturing the essence of the vintage sound. No integrated circuits are used, only high-end discrete components such as resistors, capacitors and transistors. This ensures optimal audio fidelity and performance, resulting in that classic warmth and grit associated with vintage analog pre’s.

Integrated Carnhill Transformers

The thing that sets the Plus version aside from the original MKIII is the integrated Carnhill input and output transformers. These premium-grade transformers are designed to transform the way your tone sounds. The Transformers add vintage-style colouration for a truly retro tonal character. The result is a warm and gritty analog sound with a full-bodied response and silky highs.

In-Depth Control Section

Another upgrade to the control section comes in the form of a two-position high-frequency AIR boost switch. You can choose between 3 or 6dB of AIR boosting @ 30kHz, providing added sparkle and high-end content for your input source. This can be ideal for use with Ribbon microphones, which normally provide a darker sound, allowing you to incorporate the high-end sparkle usually associated with condenser microphones. There is also a selectable 6dB/octave two-frequency high pass filter. You can choose between ~40 (HP1) & 170 Hz (HP2) settings for added flexibility. There can also toggle between impedance settings, when using MIC mode. You can choose between 1200 or 300 Ohms settings, changing the tone of most microphones. Switchable Phantom Power and Absolute Phase are also included for added compatibility with studio-grade microphones.

Versatile Connectivity

The PRE-73 MKIII also boasts a wide range of connectivity, allowing you to process and incorporate a wide range of musical equipment. From studio-grade microphones to high-level instruments such as electric guitars, this high-end preamp can handle it all. It features a combination XLR/TRS input jack with separate output XLR and TRS jacks for optimal versatility. It also boasts an insert jack for incorporating EQs and other external units.

Robust Design

The robust yet retro-style design, bases its tonality and eye-catching finish on vintage microphone preamps. The PRE-73 MKII was inspired by the classic 1073 module, providing the same punchy warmth associated with the original preamp. The robust all-metal chassis features an ergonomic control section with retro-style attenuators and buttons. Each button has a corresponding LED light that shows when the function is or isn’t in use. There is also a convenient 4-segment LED meter for monitoring your input signals, providing precision monitoring for your equipment. The circuit board has been reaped specially for the Carnhill input transformer for added convenience. It also comes complete with an external power supply, minimising interaction with audio circuits and transformers for the purest signal quality possible.

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
• A 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 also 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 EQ´s and other units.
• Selectable 600 ohm output termination
• integrated Carnhill input and output transformers
• External power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits and transformers
• A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use