Golden Age Premier PREQ-73 PREMIER Vintage Style Preamp / Equaliser

Full Description

Vintage style three-band EQ

The PREQ-73 is a vintage-style preamp that captures the essence and tonal character of classic EQ units from the late 70s and early 80s. The three-band design features a dual inductor based mid frequency band, creating a classic style sound with an LC-style EQ circuit. The first inductor features several taps to a variety of curve shapes, for different mid frequencies spanning from 350Hz – 10kHz. The second inductor has a higher value, using for the two lowest mid frequencies between 160 Hz and 240 Hz. Combining vintage values with modern technology creates a unique tone that results in the same full-bodied, musical tonal character that vintage EQs possessed. It utilises class-A circuitry and discrete components for optimised audio performance, similar to the design of 73-style modules.

Flexible control section

The three-band design features precision stepped attenuators, with a wide selection of frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 24kHz, giving you more than enough room to achieve the sound you require. The stepped frequency selection also helps with precision, with a control range up to +/- 18dB. It boasts separate bypass switches for each band, allowing you to easily check between the affected signal and the original for quick and easy monitoring. Within the signal path, the PREQ-73 features Tantalum capacitors and works with a wide variety of sound sources, allowing you to truly shape and sculpt your sound.

Golden Age Premier line

The PREQ-73 Premier differs from the Golden Age Project PREQ-73 Plus by soldering every connection apart from the gain switch. This means higher signal quality and long-term reliability thanks to the Premier needing a total of 48 less connections.

A practical preamp with a classic look

The PREQ-73 front panel design maintains the look of a vintage preamp. A quality gain dial matches the aesthetic of the 1073, whilst allowing up to 80dB maximum gain in mic mode. This is enough for passive ribbon microphones on quiet sources.

The front of the PREQ-73 Premier also features four buttons, devoted to phantom power (+48v), switching to line input, Low-Z and DI input. The DI input is also located on the front of the PREQ-73 Premier, ideal if the preamp is placed in a rack. Switches for a selectable 6 dB/octave high pass filter at around 80 Hz or 200 Hz complete the PREQ-73 Premier.

Reviews

"The band frequency options are well chosen and cover most mic-tweaking requirements very nicely. But I also found the Air EQ and high- pass filter facilities on the simpler Pre-73 Premier remarkably versatile and useful for gentle but effective tonal shaping at source" - Sound On Sound

Features

• Vintage-style circuitry – based on a 1073-style preamp design
• Warm, musical tonality – ideal for vocals and instruments
• 80dB maximum gain in mic mode, more than enough for ribbon mics and quieter sound sources
• 23-position gain/line switch with 5dB steps (gain range of 20 – 80 dB)
• Two-band LF and HF shelving EQ with two selectable frequencies on each band
• Inductor-based midrange EQ section with three selectable frequencies
• Switchable impedance in mid mode
• Switchable Phantom Power and abolut phase
• High-impedance instrument input for electric guitars, basses and sound modules
• Four-step LED output level meter
• Vintage-style knobs and buttons
• UK made Carnhill mic input and line output transformers
• Solid build quality with classic-style design

Specifications

• Product Code: PREQ-73 PREMIER