Warm Audio WA273

With the WA273, Warm Audio offers a two-channel microphone preamplifier based on the legendary 1073 model. The classic 1073 circuitry is known as a versatile tool that works great with all types of microphones - from condenser to dynamic to ribbon microphones - and the redesigned WA273 is equally suitable for all types of microphones and sources such as vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, orchestras, keyboards, and even as a sound shaping tool to perform partial or complete mixes. With 80 dB gain, a fully discrete balanced signal path equipped with high-quality Carnhill transformers, it gives every recording the classic 1073 touch.

Hand-wired, hand-mounted

Since much of the classic sound character of the 1073 is due to the hand-wired circuitry, the Wa273 is also authentically wired and hand-mounted by hand, including the PCB components, which are all assembled by hand.

UK Custom Carnhill Transformer

Over the years, different versions of transformers have been used in classic vintage devices. The most popular of these were the very first versions of Marinair Radar. Marinair radar transmitters are considered the first choice for 1073 preamps due to their sound characteristics. Warm Audio worked closely with the renowned manufacturer Carnhill Transformers of Cambridgeshire, UK, to develop the most faithful replicas of these coveted transformers. These fantastic Carnhill transformers are used throughout the WA73 family.

Signal path and capacitors

To maintain the integrity of the original design, the development process has shown that it was important to use tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path and certain output transistors that behave much smoother in the high gain settings than what is typically found in modern 1073 replicas.