The Warm Audio WA-273 is a dual-channel microphone preamp and equalizer that delivers an authentic recreation of the legendary British 1073, a piece of equipment that has defined the sound of pop/rock music for over 50 years. The 1073 is regarded as the Holy Grail of microphone preamps and continues to be widely used in professional recording and live applications worldwide.
After years of research, development, and careful comparison with authentic vintage units, Warm Audio created the WA73 family. The WA-273 excels with all microphone types and signal sources—vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards—and can be used as a tone-shaping tool for mixing individual tracks or entire sessions.
Construction Features:
The WA-273 utilizes authentic Carnhill transformers manufactured in the UK, matching the design of the original classic 1073. The Marinair Radar transformers are considered the most desirable choice for their smoothness and forgiving nature with analog signals. Warm Audio partnered closely with Carnhill Transformers to design faithful reproductions of these legendary transformers. All wiring and assembly is hand-crafted, including PCB boards, while potentiometers and EQ switches are manufactured in the United Kingdom by Blore Edwards, renowned for precision military-grade components.
Technical Specifications:
* Dual-channel Class A British-style 1073 type preamp
* British-made Carnhill transformers
* British-made Blore Edwards EQ potentiometers
* Hand-wired and hand-crafted construction
* 80 dB of gain via potentiometer
* Fully discrete circuit
* Tone switch for adjusting input transformer impedance
* Polarity switch
* 48V phantom power
* Three-band parametric EQ:
- Low: 35, 60, 110, 220 Hz
- Mid: 360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800, 7200 Hz
- High: 10, 12, 16 kHz (extended vs. vintage 1073)
* 4-position high-pass filter (50, 80, 160, 300 Hz)
* Microphone XLR inputs (front and rear)
* TRS line inputs
* Send/Receive TS jack inputs
* XLR & TRS line outputs
* Direct & instrument inputs
* Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-5 dB
* 19 rack-mount slots
* Internal IEC 115v/230v
The WA-273 is the ideal choice for professional studios, live broadcast, and mixing applications requiring authentic, enriched sound with precise tonal control and versatile connectivity options.
