Warm Audio

Warm Audio WA273 Twin Channel Microphone Preamp

  • Warm Audio WA273 Twin Channel Microphone Preamp
  • Warm Audio WA273 Twin Channel Microphone Preamp
  • Warm Audio WA273 Twin Channel Microphone Preamp
Our Price: £1,229.00
In Stock, 4-5 Day Delivery Click to view stock and delivery information
Free Shipping icon
You will earn 1229 points on this product.
SKU:
wadwa273

Description

Main Features

  • Two Channel, Class A, 1073-Style British Microphone Preamp
  • UK made Carnhill Transformers
  • 80dB of gain - resistor stepped gain switch
  • TONE button - Changes input transformer impedance for varying tone
  • 48v phantom power
  • 4 position inductor based hipass filter - 50, 80, 160, 300 Hz

Dual channel microphone preamp based on the classic '1073' design.

If there's one preamp-eq that professional engineers would unanimously agree has defined the tone of pop/rock records for the last 50+ years, it would most definitely be the venerable 1073. The 1073 has been massively used in recording and live applications for decades and is still considered to be the 'Holy Grail' of preamps today. The Warm Audio WA273 provides a single channel re-creation of this classic British preamp that pays careful and humble homage to the original circuit.

When Warm Audio decided to release the WA273, it was imperative to them that the product pay respectful homage to the sacred British console history in both design and performance. The tone and sweet character that the vintage units impart is so unique and familiar, that Warm Audio had only the pure desire to release truly sonic accurate replicas. After years of R&D, careful reverse-engineering, and countless hours of auditioning, the WA273 has been born!

The WA273 preamp is a 'Desert Island' boutique preamp but can also be classified as studio and live work-horses. The classic 1073 is known as a versatile tool that works with all kinds of microphones from Condenser, to Dynamic, to Ribbon. The WA273 equally shines on all types of microphones and sources including vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a tone shaping tool to run partial or complete mixes through. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete Carnhill Transformer balanced signal path - there's no recording, mixing or engineering task the WA273 can't handle.

Hand Wired, Hand Assembled
The classic 1073 was hand-wired and so is the WA273! Guru's claim that a portion of the 1073's classic tone can be attributed to the hand-wired nature of the build. The entirety of the WA273 Family of preamps is authentically hand-wired and hand assembled, including the pcb components that are all populated by hand.

UK Custom Carnhill Transformers
1073 enthusiasts unequivocally get excited about the component history in these classic circuits. The signal transformers are a common topic of conversation. The classic vintage units used various versions of transformers throughout the years, and the most coveted were the very first versions made by Marinair Radar. Marinair Radar Transformers are regarded as the most desirable 1073 choice due to their fluid and forgiving nature. They saturate sweetly when pushed, and have been known to make engineers cry when they hear how beautiful their mixes sound through them! Warm Audio worked closely with Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to design faithful replicas of these most coveted, early version transformers. The entire WA273 Family proudly utilises these fantastic Carnhill Transformers. The team at Warm Audio have not yet heard a modern day 1073-style preamp(eq) sound as close to the early vintage 1073 design as their WA273 Family units with these beautiful custom Transformers.

Capacitors & Signal Path
An important part of these classic British circuits not often discussed is the different styles of capacitors and output transistor used. Warm Audio found it important to maintain integrity to the original design by using tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path and an output transistor choice that is much smoother in the high gain settings than what is typically found in modern 1073-style replicas.


Warm Audio WA273 Specifications

Two Channel, Class A, 1073-Style British Microphone Preamp
UK made Carnhill Transformers
Hand Wired, hand assembled
80dB of gain - resistor stepped gain switch
Fully discrete
TONE button - Changes input transformer impedance for varying tone
Polarity switch
48v phantom power
4 position inductor based hipass filter - 50, 80, 160, 300 Hz
XLR mic input
Line level TRS input
TS Send/Receive insert jacks
XLR & TRS line level outputs
Direct In, instrument input
Freq response 20Hz - 20kHz +/-.5 dB
19 inch rack mountable
Internal IEC 115v/230v power inlet

Delivery

This product is in stock at our official UK distributor and will be shipped to you within 5 working days

This item is normally sent to Mainland UK addresses by DPD who generally provide a one-hour window of delivery on the morning of delivery by email or text message.

FREE delivery within mainland UK

UK Non-Mainland: from £12

Rep. of Ireland and Mainland Europe: from £30 (calculated at checkout). Please see our international delivery page or contact us for details.

View AllClose

Warranty Information

Standard warranty against manufacturer defects apply. Extended warranty is not available on this item.

View AllClose