Golden Age Audio has announced the Pre-73 MkIV, the latest update to its 73-style preamp series.
Acknowledging the musically warm, punchy, and sweet sound of classic British consoles, the Pre-73 MkIV also doubles as a line-level preamp and DI box for electric guitar and bass.
Golden Age Audio’s Pre-73 MkIV allows its users to achieve vintage colour and punch by cranking up the gain without fear. A dedicated output control allows attenuation of the signal, allowing the preamp to be driven without overloading any associated audio interface inputs. A -14dB Output Pad provides further control of hot signals. Further tone-sculpting capabilities come courtesy of the selectable Low-Z low-pass filter to eliminate rumble at the source, and/or using the selectable (3dB/6dB) Air EQ to add presence to the top-end. Toggling between 1.2kΩ and 300Ω resistance reveals how mics react to input impedance.
Connecting condenser and dynamic microphones is not a problem, thanks to Pre-73 MkIV’s switchable +48V mic input, while its 80dB of gain suit it to use with sensitive ribbon microphones on delicate sound sources. Line and instrument level inputs allow connection to almost any audio source, and a rear panel-positioned insert jack is provided for using external processors such as EQs and compressors.
True to the classic preamps, the Pre-73 MkIV was designed with attention on component choices and build quality. There are no surface-mount components or integrated circuits, and all inputs and outputs are transformer-balanced using two different purpose-optimised transformers.
The Pre-73 MkIV is shipping at an of US$349. RAD Distribution acts as exclusive North American distributor for Golden Age Audio products. It carries an SRP of €374 (including VAT) in the EU (European Union).
More: www.goldenageproject.com
