Warm Audio WA73-EQ

With the WA73-EQ, Warm Audio offers a mono microphone preamplifier with EQ section based on the legendary 1073 model. The classic 1073 circuitry is known as a versatile tool that works great with all types of microphones - from condenser to dynamic to ribbon microphones - and the redesigned WA73-EQ is equally suitable for all types of microphones and sources such as vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a sound shaping tool to perform partial or complete mixes. With 80 dB gain, a fully discrete balanced signal path equipped with high-quality Carnhill transformers and a versatile 3-band inductor EQ, it gives every recording the classic 1073 touch.

Since much of the classic sound character of the 1073 is due to the hand-wired circuitry, the Wa73-EQ is also authentically wired and hand-mounted (including the EQs), including the PCB components, which are all assembled by hand.

Over the years, different versions of transformers have been used in classic vintage devices. The most popular of these were the very first versions of Marinair Radar. Marinair radar transmitters are considered the first choice for 1073 preamps due to their sound characteristics. Warm Audio worked closely with the renowned manufacturer Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to develop the most faithful replicas of these coveted transformers. These fantastic Carnhill transformers are used throughout the WA73 family.

To maintain the integrity of the original design, the development process has shown that it was important to use tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path and certain output transistors that behave much smoother in the high gain settings than what is typically found in modern 1073 replicas.

A great sounding 1073 circuit should also be as reliable as it sounds. The complex dual-concentric potentiometers in the EQ sections of the WA73-EQ are manufactured in the UK by Blore Edwards, who manufacture switches and potentiometers to military specifications. The use of Blore-Edwards components is exceptional for 1073-style preamplifier/EQs of this price range and once again demonstrates the importance of Warm Audio's high quality yet affordable products.

• British style 1073 dual channel microphone preamplifier and induction coil EQ
• 100% discrete circuit (Class A)
• Carnhill transformer (Made in UK), hand-wound and hand-picked
• 80dB Gain - raster potentiometer
• TONE Button - For switching the input impedance (also leads to sound changes)
• phase inversion switch
• 48V phantom power
• 3-band induction coil EQ
• Depth Band Boost/Cut (35, 60, 110, 220 Hz)
• Center Band Boost/Cut (360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800, 7200 Hz)
• Treble Band Boost/Cut (10, 12, 16 kHz)
• Added additional treble-band EQ points compared to Vintage 1073
• LoCut filter with 4 switchable stages (50, 80, 160, 300 Hz)
• Microphone input (XLR)
• Line input (jack)
• Insert input and output (jack)
• Line level outputs (XLR and jack)
• Instrument input (jack)
• output level control
• LED Meter
• 19"/1RS
• Ground Lift Switch
• Internal IEC 115v/230v power supply unit