If there is one preamp-equalizer that professional audio engineers would unanimously agree has defined the sound of pop/rock records for the last 50+ years, it would undoubtedly be the 1073. The 1073 has been used extensively in recording and live applications for decades and continues to be regarded as the Holy Grail of preamps (eqs) today. Warm Audios WA73 family provides accurate reproductions of single and dual-channel implementations of the classic British preamp (with or without EQ), each paying humble tribute to the original circuit.
After years of research and development, careful comparison with authentic samples and countless hours of listening, the WA73 family was born! The WA73 family excels with all types of microphones and different sources, including vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a tone-shaping tool for executing partial or full mixes. With 80dB gain, combined with a signal path from discrete Carnhill Transformer circuitry and flexible three-band parametric EQ (on WA73-EQ and WA273-EQ products), there are no recordings and mixes that the WA73, WA73-EQ, WA273 and WA273-EQ cannot handle.
A LOOK INSIDE
Handwired and Assembled
The classic 1073 was handwired and so is the WA73 family! Audiophile gurus claim that part of the classic 1073 sound can be attributed to the handwired nature of construction. All preamps (eqs) in the WA73 family are hand-assembled and wired, including PCB boards that are all hand-crafted.
UK-MADE CARNHILL TRANSFORMERS
1073 enthusiasts are undoubtedly thrilled by the material history in these classic circuits. Signal transformers are a common point of discussion. Classic vintage units used various versions of transformers throughout the years and the most sought-after were the early versions of Marinair Radar. The Marinair Radar transformers are considered the most desirable 1073 option due to their fluidity and forgiving nature. The saturation is sweet when pushed, and it was known to make engineers cry when hearing mixes how beautifully they were reproduced through them! Warm Audio worked closely with Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to faithfully design replicas of these most sought-after, early-version transformers. The entire WA73 family proudly uses these fantastic Carnhill transformers. We at Warm Audio have yet to hear a modern 1073-designed preamp (eq) sound as close to the original 1073 design as our WA73 family sounds with these custom transformers.
UK Blore Edwards Switch-Pots (WA73-EQ & WA273-EQ):
An exceptional 1073-style audio circuit should be as reliable as it is sonically correct. The potentiometers and switches in the EQ sections of the WA73-EQ and WA273-EQ are manufactured in the United Kingdom by Blore Edwards, which manufactures military-grade switches and potentiometers. The use of Blore-Edwards potentiometer materials is yet another indication of the quality of Warm Audio preamps and eqs, especially at this price point.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
* Dual-channel, Class A, British-style 1073-type preamp and Eq
* British Carnhill transformers
* British Blore Edwards EQ potentiometers
* Handwired and handcrafted assembly
* 80 dB gain with potentiometer
* Fully discrete circuit
* Tone button that changes the input transformer resistance for various tones
* Polarity switch
* 48V phantom power
* Three-band frequency EQ based on inductor
* Low-band frequency Boost/Cut (35, 60, 110, 220 Hz)
* Mid-band frequency Boost/Cut (360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800, 7200 Hz)
* High-band frequency Boost/Cut (10, 12, 16 kHz)
* Additional high-frequency bands added to EQ (compared to vintage 1073)
* 4-position high-pass filters (50, 80, 160, 300 Hz)
* XLR microphone inputs (front and rear)
* Line-level TRS inputs
* TS Send/Receive inputs via Jack connectors
* XLR & TRS line outputs
* Direct input & instrument input
* Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +/-5 dB
* 19 rack-mount chassis
* Internal IEC 115v/230v switchable
