Warm Audio WA273
UPC/EAN #860191002104
MPN #WA-273
$1559.00
Save 19.8%, MSRP $1945.00
Two channel, Class A, 1073-style British microphone preamp, UK made Carnhill Transformers
Classic '73-style preamps are known for being versatile tools that work with all kinds of microphones from Condenser, to Dynamic, to Ribbon. The WA273 equally shines on all types of microphones and sources including; vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a tone shaping tool to run partial or complete mixes through. With 80dB of gain and a fully discrete Carnhill Transformer balanced signal path, there's no recording, mixing or engineering task that the WA273 can't handle.
UK Custom Carnhill Transformers
Enthusiasts unequivocally get excited about the components used in classic '73-style British preamps. The signal transformers are a common topic of conversation. Vintage units used various versions of transformers throughout the years, but the most coveted were the earliest versions. These are regarded as the most desirable choice due to their fluid and forgiving nature. They saturate sweetly when pushed, and have been known to make engineers cry when they hear how beautiful their mixes sound through them! Warm Audio worked closely with Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to design faithful reproductions of these most coveted, early version transformers. We at Warm Audio have not yet heard a modern day '73-style preamp sound as sweet and musical as does our WA273 with these beautiful custom Transformers.
Hand Wired & Hand Assembled
Classic '73-style preamps were often hand-wired and so is the WA273! Guru's claim that a portion of the sought after classic British tone can be attributed to the hand-wired nature of the build. The WA273 is hand-wired and hand assembled, including the pcb components that are all populated by hand.
Specifications
Dual Channel, Class A, '73-Style British Microphone PreampUK made Carnhill TransformersHand Wired, hand assembled80dB of gain - resistor stepped gain switchFully discreteTONE button - Changes input transformer impedance for varying tonePolarity switch48v phantom power4 position inductor based hipass filter - 50, 80, 160, 300 HzXLR mic inputLine level TRS inputTS Send/Receive insert jacksXLR & TRS line level outputsDirect In, instrument inputFreq response 20Hz - 20kHz +/-.5 dB19" rackableInternal IEC 115v/230v power inlet
Write a review about the Warm Audio WA273
![]()
5.0
Louis
Shawinigan
April 11, 2022
Awesome !!
J'adore , le son du rock :) !!
![]()
4.0
Burkeville
Burnaby
June 29, 2021
Good Preamp - has that vintage sound
This is a good pre-amp that is very similar to the Neve 1073. It is a fraction of the price.
The tone control changes the impedance and that really affects dynamic mics. It also has a lot of gain so it would be good for ribbon or mics like the SM7B.
Read more It will give you a lot of character if you want. Hit the transformer hard and turn down the output and it gives a lot of harmonics.
Mine arrived damaged, the transformer was loose. Upon opening it to re-seat the transformer we noticed it was well made with quality parts.
How they do this for such a good price is surprising. There are some producers and engineers that say it's not the real thing however it is unlikely most could tell the difference, especially in a mix. It is a fraction of the cost. I am not some egomaniac that needs to spend five figures on an old mic preamp that will need a lot of maintenance.
I am happy with my purchase.
View more products from
Warm Audio
