The legendary 1073 wrote the book on characterful mic preamplification. This venerable circuit helped define the punchy sound of ’70s rock — and countless recordings and live concerts ever since. Today, this coveted tone can be yours for a song with the Warm Audio WA273 mic/line/instrument preamp. In both design and performance, the 2-channel WA273 pays homage to the revered British console lineage that started it all. Throughout the audio industry, the 1073 is considered the holy grail of preamps, delivering a rich, sweet, and bold tonality ideal for making audacious musical statements. After years of R&D, painstaking reverse-engineering, and extensive listening tests, Warm Audio perfectly captured the sonic essence of this classic in their boutique WA273. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete transformer-balanced signal path, the WA273 reveals harmonically rich lows, a focused midrange, and slightly resonant highs.
Built with weapons-grade construction and fully discrete, handwired Class A circuitry, the WA273 is loaded with premium UK-made Carnhill transformers and offers 80dB of gain—perfect for capturing even the most subdued sources with ribbon microphones. Ribbons and condensers shine through its warm, authoritative tone, and even dynamic mics sound shockingly powerful. Cranking the input gain while lowering the output provides sweet vintage-style coloration. Each channel also includes instrument inputs, polarity reverse, 48V phantom power, and switchable impedance for tonal shaping and optimal microphone matching.
Virtually any source comes alive through the Warm Audio WA273. With thoughtful mic selection and placement, drums become massive, DI bass and keyboards gain immense depth, synths become hypnotic, electric guitars soar, and vocals take center stage. Acoustic instruments—pianos, guitars, strings, brass, and woodwinds—gain stunning clarity and dimension. The WA273 can even be used as a tone-shaping device for stems or complete mixes. For many engineers, hearing their tracks through the WA273 is nothing short of transformative.
Engineers who love the 1073 know the importance of transformer history. Early vintage units used Marinair Radar transformers, prized for their fluid, forgiving character and sweet saturation. Warm Audio partnered with Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to craft meticulous replicas of these coveted originals. The results are remarkable and, to discerning ears, astonishingly close to early vintage 1073 units.
A critical, often overlooked aspect of classic British circuitry lies in its capacitors and output transistors. Warm Audio chose high-quality tantalum and polystyrene capacitors for the signal path and selected output transistors that deliver smoother performance at high gain than many modern 1073-style preamps. Their uncompromising design approach pays off in every recording session. Every time you plug into the WA273, you’ll hear the reward of Warm Audio's meticulous attention to detail.
The WA73 & WA273 recreate the most iconic British console sound made famous by legendary recordings from the 60s and beyond. Known for delivering rich, full analog warmth, the original became the foundation of classic rock and was the centerpiece of countless timeless hits. The sound of those famed console preamps can be heard on recordings by The Beatles, U2, Kendrick Lamar, Led Zeppelin, and many more.
The WA73 & WA273 deliver the perfect balance of “unmistakably analog” tone and clarity that every engineer is chasing. With 80 dB of gain and a discrete Carnhill Transformer–balanced signal path, the 73 series delivers the unmistakable sound of the original British console preamps. Featuring hand-wired construction using premium components that all receive dedicated individual testing in Texas, the 73 series provides the quality needed to elevate your recordings to true studio-grade.
Like the original 73-series British console preamp, the WA73 series pres include all the essential features that provide a complete, professional, and truly inspiring recording experience.
The high-pass filter makes it easy to remove unwanted low-frequency noise that often causes issues during recording and mixing.
Switchable unbalanced send/return inserts allow you to integrate a compressor, EQ, or your favorite outboard gear before hitting the output transformer.
The classic Warm Audio “tone” control shifts the input transformer impedance from 1200Ω to 300Ω, adding “air” or “sheen” to the top end — perfect for ribbon microphones or darker-sounding mics.
The WA73 also includes essential preamp features such as 48V phantom power, instrument and line-level inputs, XLR/TRS I/O options, and polarity inversion to handle a wide range of recording needs.
| Preamp Type | Class A Solid State |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Phantom Power | Yes |
| Polarity Switch | Yes |
| EQ | Highpass 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, 300Hz |
| Analog Inputs | 2 x XLR (mic), 2 x 1/4" (line), 2 x 1/4" (Hi-Z) |
| Analog Outputs | 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4" |
| Channel Inserts | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz–20kHz (±0.5 dB) |
| Rack Spaces | 1U |
| Power Source | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Width | 19" |
| Manufacturer Part Number | WA273 UPC: 860191002104 |
