GOLDEN AGE PRE73 DLX Microphone preamp

The PRE-73 DLX is a one-channel vintage style microphone-, line- and instrument preamplifier. The signal path uses only discrete components like resistors, capacitors and transistors. The line and microphone input and the line output are transformer balanced, using three different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose.
This is the way audio components were built before integrated circuits became available. The subjective sound quality delivered by vintage equipment is often prefered over the one delivered by modern units, a situation that is even more obvious now when music is recorded with clean-sounding digital audio equipment.

The circuit used in the PRE-73 DLX is similar to the preamp section in the classical 1073 module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet and musical. These classic characteristics have been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres. The essence of this sound is now available at a surprisingly low cost, making it available to nearly everyone.

FEATURES

- Vintage Style electronics. No intergrated circuits in the signal path.
- Maximum gain on the mic input is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources.
- Gain range on the Line input: -20 to + 10 dB.
- Switchable impedance on the mic input, 1200 or 300 Ohms, will change the tone of most mics.
- Switchable phantom power and absolute phase.
- A high-impedance instrument input for any sound module, electric guitar or bass.
- A simple but effective 4-step LED output level meter.
- The output level controls 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.
- Combo XLR/TRS input jacks and separate output XLR and TRS jacks for flexible connections.
- Insert jack for inserting EQ´s and other units.
- External high power power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits and transformers.
- A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use.

The PRE-73 DLX has a number of improvement and new features compared to the PRE-73 MKII:
- Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.
- Selectable 1073-style high pass filter, 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz and 300Hz.
- Output Attenuator -7, -14, -21 and -28 dB (located after the output transformer) allows overdriving the output stage and the output transformer for added character by lowering the output signal to a suitable level.
- The circuit board is prepared for Carnhill Mic and Line transformer and high pass inductor.
- The Insert jack can be switched in/out from the front panel. An internal jumper can select that the Insert jack always has an output signal.
- Switchable 600 ohm Output Termination and Ground Lift on the back panel.
- Selectable Active or Passive DI input and selectable input impedance in active mode, Hi Z or 100 kohm, by internal jumpers.
- The DI can signal can be selected to pass or bypass the mic input transformer by internal jumpers.
- Relays are used to control internal switching for DI input, Phantom power, Mic Low Z, Insert and Phase for shorter circuit board signal paths. The relays are controlled by front panel switches.
- Revised gain switch for added headroom.
- Circuit board star grounding scheme.
- Revised power supply with separate regulators for the audio circuits and relay and LED circuits.

PreSonusʼ popular Class A XMAX preamps are widely lauded for their clarity and transparency. Our tube preamps are beloved for their warm, smooth sound. With the Blue Tube DP V2 dual-path mic/instrument preamp, you get both types of high-quality sound in one unit.

Now weʼve improved on the classic unit with the BlueTube DP V2. The solid-state path now feeds PreSonusʼ top-of-the-line Class A XMAX™ mic preamplifier with 80 dB of variable gain—an upgrade from the original BlueTube DPʼs solid-state stage.

You still get all the secondary features you expect in a professional-grade preamp: 48V phantom power, an 80 Hz high-pass filter, -20 dB pad to control hot input signals, and a polarity-reverse switch. Each channel has an illuminated VU meter so you can visually monitor your input levels.

A Tube Drive control provides a wide range of sounds: when itʼs clicked off, youʼre using the solid-state preamp for quiet, transparent amplification; when itʼs engaged, your signals flow through the tube preamp, and you can achieve anything from gentle warmth to edgy distortion.

    2 input channels, each with:
        High-headroom Class A XMAX™ mic preamplifier with 80 dB gain range
        12AX7 vacuum tube gain stage
        Tube Drive tube-saturation control
        48V phantom power
        80 Hz high-pass filter
        -20 dB pad to reduce hot input levels
        Polarity-reverse switch
        Illuminated analog VU input-level meter

    Input/Output
        2 balanced combo mic/unbalanced instrument inputs
        2 balanced XLR main (L/R) line outputs
        2 unbalanced ¼” main (L/R) line outputs

    Physical
        Compact 1/2U chassis
        External 12 VDC, 1A power supply

The PRE-73 Mk2 is the first one-channel low-cost preamp on the market that is using a fully discrete signal path with three separate transformers for the balanced mic input, the line input and the output.

The circuit is very similar to the classical preamp section of the Neve 1073 pre/eq module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet and musical.
This classical sound has been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres.

The PRE-73 Mk2 has a maximum gain of 80 dB on the mic input and the gain range on the Line input is -20 to + 10 dB. There is also a high-impedance instrument input.

The PRE-73 Mk2 is perfect for almost any signal source, no matter if it's a microphone with a high or low sensitivity (like a passive ribbon mic), a syntheziser or sound module or an electric guitar or bass.

The input impedance of the microphone input can be switched between 300 and 1200 ohms, which makes it possible to affect the tone of most microphones. There is also phase switch and an simple 4-step LED signal level meter.

The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage.

The Mk2 update consists of:
- An unbalanced insert jack (nominal level about 18 dBu) added on the back panel for inserting units like the coming GAP EQ-73, a three band eq.
-  LED meter levels adjusted.
- 600 Ohm termination resistor and jumper added to power supply board (accessible from the inside of the unit).
- Revised Gain switch, turning the know clockwise now increase the gain.
- Reduced noise at high gains by a change to the power supply grounding scheme.

The CPR12 is an easy to use, flexible and multifunctional 10 channel pre-amplifier. Six of these input channels are selectable between Mic / Line level and equipped with a 3 band tone control. The first two can be switched to priority and phantom power. The other four channels are direct line inputs.

Every input channel has its own gain and fader volume control with PFL button which makes it possible to pre-listen each input or output channel with the built-in pre-listening speaker, and can be routed to one or both output channels. This makes the CPR12 a full two-zone system.

Other present features are a priority input, a recording output, separate sub-out channels and the 24 V DC emergency power connection. This last feature makes it possible to power the CPR12 with emergency power when the main power is shut down. In this case, the priority input will automatically mute all input signals, and a evacuation message will be announced. The steel 19" housing has a height of 2 HE.

• 10 audio input sources
• 6 Mic / Line inputs with 3 band EQ
• 4 Direct Line Inputs
• Fader volume control
• Two output zones
• Built-in pre-listening speaker
• Priority input for emergency situations
• + 15 V DC Phantom power
• Works on 24 V DC emergency power
  

• Model Name / Type: CPR12 / 10 channel 2 zone pre-amplifier
• THD+N:
• Signal/Noise: > 90 dB
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Phantom Power: + 15 V DC
• Emergency Power: + 24 V DC
  
• Power Supply: 100 - 240 V AC / 50 - 60 Hz
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 420 x 88 x 320 mm

• 1 microphone, XLR (bal.) or 6.3 mm jack (unbal.)
• Gain control, 10 steps (6-50 dB)
• Phantom power can be switched on
• Clip LED
• 1 line output, XLR (bal.) or 6.3 mm (unbal.)
• Operation via supplied power unit