Golden Age Audio PREQ-73 Premier Microphone Preamp & EQ

Golden Age Project PREQ73 Premier Overview
The Golden Age Project PREQ73 Premier is a vintage-style, single-channel microphone, line, and instrument preamp with a built-in 3-band EQ. Combining the legendary warmth and character of the iconic 1073 preamp with modern features, this unit is designed to deliver the punchy, musical tone that has shaped countless classic recordings. The PREQ73 Premier is perfect for capturing everything from the softest vocals to loud electric guitars, providing 80dB of gain to handle even the quietest passive ribbon microphones. Whether you're a recording engineer or a musician looking for professional-grade sound, this preamp offers a perfect balance of vintage tone and modern flexibility.

Vintage-Inspired Sound with Modern Functionality
The PREQ73 Premier draws from the classic 1073 preamp, with a similar all-discrete signal path and transformer-balanced I/O. Using high-quality UK-made Carnhill transformers, it preserves the vintage British console sound—warm, punchy, and full of character. The 3-band EQ, with both low-frequency and high-frequency shelving controls and an inductor-based midrange section, gives you the flexibility to tailor your sound for every source. Whether you’re looking for a clean sound or more harmonic saturation, this preamp offers the tonal flexibility you need to enhance your recordings with that distinctive analog vibe.

Customizable Gain Control for Optimal Performance
The PREQ73 Premier offers an expansive gain range with a 23-position gain switch, making it easy to dial in just the right amount of gain for any microphone or instrument. The gain range spans from 20dB to 80dB for the mic input, and -10dB to 20dB for the line input, ensuring optimal performance across all input sources. The switchable impedance on the mic input (1200 or 300 ohms) further enhances your tonal options, allowing you to change the character of your mic to suit the recording style. Whether you're working with a passive ribbon mic or an electric guitar, this preamp ensures that every source gets the attention it deserves.

Sound Shaping with Advanced EQ and Filters
The PREQ73 Premier is equipped with a 2-band low-frequency and high-frequency shelving EQ, offering ±15dB adjustments for the low frequencies and -20dB for the high frequencies. This enables you to shape the tone of your recordings precisely, either adding more warmth or cutting harsh high frequencies. The inductor-based midrange EQ section gives you further control, with three selectable frequencies (the lowest selectable between 350Hz and 700Hz) to help you dial in the perfect sound for vocals, instruments, or any other sound source. The highpass filter, with 80Hz and 200Hz options, ensures that low-end rumble is minimized, giving you a cleaner, more focused signal.

Reliable Performance and Flexible Connectivity
The PREQ73 Premier is built with robust, professional-grade components, ensuring reliable performance in any studio environment. It features a simple 4-step LED output level meter for easy monitoring of your signal levels, along with an output level control for fine adjustments. This allows you to intentionally overload the main gain stages for vintage-style coloration, giving your tracks a richer, more saturated sound. The preamp also includes a separate combo XLR/TRS input jack for both mic and line inputs, and separate XLR and TRS output jacks for flexible connection options. This preamp is designed to fit seamlessly into your existing studio setup.

Durable Construction and Rackmount Compatibility
Constructed with long-term reliability in mind, the PREQ73 Premier features high-quality components like sturdy toggle switches with gold-plated contacts and polystyrene capacitors in the amplifier circuits. The connector-free internal wiring ensures the purest signal path, reducing any potential signal degradation. For users looking to expand their setup, the preamp is prepared for mounting in the optional Unite Premier rack kit, allowing you to fit one or two units in a single 19-inch rack space. Its compact size and solid build quality make it a valuable addition to any studio, whether you need one unit for home recording or multiple units for a larger setup.