[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Hotstuff

This my review of the Pre.

First off the pre is heaver than I expected, felt solid and well built.
It sports mic and line input transformers and an output transformer.
It has an input gain switch and an output trim pot, balanced in/out: mic in, line in, and line out.
DI input on the front and all the option for DI, 48v, Loz and phase on the front.
Very simple to operate.

In use,

I was surprised at how quiet it is even with the gain cranked up, adjust the gain till it sounds right then adjust the output, at low gain settings it sounds quite clean but as gain is applied it gets colored and if you overdrive the input the sound gets compressed and starts to distort if the source hot.

Sounds great on drums, snare is full and fat, great for kick etc
Great on vox really gives it its own space in the mix.
I will be trying it on bass soon with the DI input, report back later.

Hotstuff...these preamps are powered by an external power supply (wall wart?)...that's a plus considering some of the noise issues on the other Chinese group-buy clones seem to concern placement of the internal PSUs. (other noise concerns with the group-buy pres seem to be based in the EQ sections, also not an issue with this product)...I hope to get one of these Pre73s from Anthony at Alto Music, and I will report back once I get the opportunity to record some tracks...