The Golden Age Audio Pre-73 Jr MKII is a one-channel vintage style microphone and instrument preamplifier that captures the essence of the legendary 1073 sound in a compact and affordable format.
Built with fully discrete class-A electronics, the Golden Age Audio Pre-73 Jr MKII avoids integrated circuits and surface mount components, instead relying on transformer balanced input and output stages for authentic analogue character. Its circuit design is directly inspired by the classic 1073 module, delivering the warm, punchy, sweet, and musical tone that has defined countless recordings across decades and genres.
Despite its smaller footprint, the Golden Age Audio Pre-73 Jr MKII offers impressive flexibility. It provides up to 70 dB of gain, a selectable high frequency AIR boost EQ at 30 kHz, and a two-position high pass filter at 40 Hz and 170 Hz. Additional features include switchable phantom power, absolute phase reversal, and a high-impedance instrument input for guitars, basses, or sound modules.
The output level control allows precise adjustment, enabling users to drive the preamp for added harmonic character before attenuating the signal for optimal levels. With XLR/TRS connections, an insert jack for external processing, and preparation for an optional Carnhill input transformer upgrade, the Golden Age Audio Pre-73 Jr MKII is both versatile and expandable.
Its rugged build, external power supply for reduced interference, and compact size, mountable up to four units in the UNITE MKII 19-inch rack kit, make it a practical yet powerful tool for any modern studio.
Features
- Vintage style class-A electronics with no integrated circuits or surface mount components
- Gain switch range from 20 to 70 dB
- Selectable high frequency AIR boost EQ at 3 or 6 dB @ 30 kHz
- Two-position high pass filter at 40 Hz and 170 Hz
- Switchable phantom power and absolute phase
- High-impedance instrument input for guitar, bass, or sound modules
- Signal LED indicator for easy monitoring
- Output level control for fine adjustments and driving the gain stage for added character
- Combo XLR/TRS input and separate XLR/TRS output connectors
- Insert jack for adding EQs or external processors
- Circuit prepared for optional Carnhill input transformer upgrade
- External power supply to minimise interaction with audio circuitry
- Compact format, with up to four units mountable in a 19-inch rack with the UNITE MKII kit
- Solid build quality for long-lasting use