Golden Age Project PRE-573 MKII

Full Description

1073-Inspired, 500 Series Preamp

The PRE-573 MKIII bases its design and circuitry on the now classic 1073 preamp module. The Vintage-style electronics are comprised of discrete Class-A electronics, with no integrated circuits for optimised performance. This 500 series-format unit is ideal for the modular user, allowing you to incorporate vintage-style and tone into your modular setup. One of the most unique features of this preamp is the balanced transformer. The transformer is fully floating and can drive up to 600 ohm load up to the level of around 28 dBu for maximum versatility. The total gain ranges from -10 to +80dB, giving you more than enough headroom for a range of input sources.

AIR Equalizer & Control Section

Another unique features of the PRE-573 MKII is the integrated AIR equalizer. This built-in EQ setting adds a boost of around 6dB centred at 30 kHz. This is great for Ribbon microphones and other lower-level sources with minimal high-end content. It can also be great for added a touch of sparkle to vocals and instruments alike. The mic input features a switchable impedance of 1200 or 300 ohms, giving you a vast change in tone for added flexibility. The input can also be configured to accept line level signals by another switch, this is then lowered by around 30dB and the input impedance increased to around 10Kohms for maximum versatility.

Design & Connectivity

This retro-style preamp features vintage-esque attenuator, providing optimal precision when it comes to dialling in your levels. It features a switchable Phantom Power with LED indicator for use with studio-grade condenser microphones. The output level control allows you to make finer gain adjustments. An insert jack is used for inserting Golden Age Project 500 Series effects units. The insert can be activated by removing the jumper at the back of the module. The front-panel also features a direct input connection for connecting instruments such as electric guitars and more.

Features

• Vintage Style electronics. No integrated circuits in the signal path
• The output is transformer balanced and fully floating and can drive a 600 ohm load up to level of about 28 dBu
• Maximum gain in MIC mode is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources
• The total gain range goes from -10 to +80 dB. The 20 to 70 dB range (in MIC mode) is handled by a turn switch and a toggle switch selects an additional 5 or 10 dB gain
• Switchable impedance on the mic input, 1200 or 300 ohms, will change the tone of many mics
• The input can be configured to accept line level signals by another switch, the level is then lowered by about 30 dB and the input impedance increased to about 10 kohm
• Switchable phantom power with a LED indicator
• A flexible front panel instrument input for electric guitar or bass that can be selected between a high
• Impedance Active or a mid-Z Passive mode. These two DI-options makes it possible to get different tones from instruments. Mains connected sound modules or other signal sources should be connected to the MIC/ LINE input of the 500-rack, unless they have a fully floating, transformer balanced output stage
• The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage(s) for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage
• Insert jack for inserting Golden Age Project 500 Series effect units. The insert is activated by removing a jumper at the back of the module
• A soft start circuit that ramps up the supply voltage slowly (about 10 sec.) to avoid a power-on current surge
• Phase switch
• Selectable AIR equalizer adds a boost of about 6 dB centered at 30 kHz
• A simple but effective signal and overload indicator is offered by a single LED that starts glowing red at about +4 dBu and then increases its intensity up to the maximum output level
• Tantalum capacitors in the signal path
• Selectable 600 ohm Output Termination at the back of the module.
• Circuit board star grounding scheme
• A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use