Golden Age Project Pre73

[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.

Got it from Golden Age Music through Erwin Strich erwin@goldenagemusic.eu

Great guy, dealing with him was quick and smooth.

[Hotstuff]

Hi all,

This preamp has been so great I got another one!

Last weekend I tracked guitars with it and it sounded really great, I was recording some heavy riffs and it handled it so well, heavy but tight.
it is so much easier to eq the amp and positioning the mic listening through the preamp, clear big sound!
Soon I will try recording bass using the DI and will report back.

Have I mentioned, drums sound great through it, as do vocals!

On another note, Im sorry to here about all the problems people have been having with the group buy preamps. These GAP-73 are also made in China, maybe the same factory, but im not worried cause so far mine are very quiet, the switch has a off position just like the neve´s, not the blast of noise like the group buy preamps.
Hope all the issues and problems get sorted out asap.

Golden Age Music now sells a tray to mount two together in a rack.

I posted the same post in the "Anyone tried the Golden Age Pre-73 yet" thread
but want to start a new one to discuss about the preamp in use.

[Hotstuff]

Seem´s everyone is more interested in what it looks like than what it sounds like so here goes a pic of the insides.
2 input transformers an output transformer, discrete circuit, the ic´s are for the LED metering and not in the signal path.
Looks well laid out and sounds great!

[MATTI]

Thanks for the picture, it seems the group buy pre´s have basicly same preamp sections, but different layout. Having said that I think I might buy some of these also!

Matti

P.S. samples, please!

[Snatchman]

So..how much these pres cost and is there a link to the whole pre story? Thanks.." Ok.. I found the link..!" BTW..so these are not available in the states huh?

[nonstatic]

thanks a lot for the info! i've been waiting to hear more about these...may get one eventually.

[Hotstuff]

Hey Snatchman,

In the pro price list on the goldenagemisic.se site they have the price for the pre in usa dollars ex vat but including inport costs, send bo a mail and ask him.
bo@goldenagemusic.se

[Intune]

Hotstuff would you recommend the Golden Age Pre-73 for vocals.
Can you order one in the US ?
I heard they want $90 US to ship to the states.
The price is good but the shipping is pricey.

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.

Got it from Golden Age Music through Erwin Strich erwin@goldenagemusic.eu

Great guy, dealing with him was quick and smooth.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Intune

Hotstuff would you recommend the Golden Age Pre-73 for vocals.
Can you order one in the US ?
I heard they want $90 US to ship to the states.
The price is good but the shipping is pricey.

...I requested a quote shipped to the US and it was $390 incl. freight (at $299 out the door in Europe it's a sweet deal)...

******************************************UPDATE*************************************
I ordered my first PRE-73 from Anthony at Alto Music (excellent service), but since then the "mod squad" has been attacking these lil' babies...the best place to get the PRE-73 in the US now is from Zenpro Audio...they are not only selling the "stock" version of the PRE-73, they are also offering the various "modded" versions, as well as offering online sound-clips so you can audition the modded (as well as the stock) versions up against the legendary Neve 1073...Warren at Zenpro has been a pioneer in the modding of these Neve clones (like the earlier Chameleon Labs versions)...
...you can contact him at 1-803-937-6012 or log onto:

Golden Age Pre-73

...soundfiles can be auditioned here:

1073 Test: Chameleon Labs 7602 vs Golden Age PRE73 vs Neve 1073

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by Hotstuff

Hey Snatchman,

In the pro price list on the goldenagemisic.se site they have the price for the pre in usa dollars ex vat but including inport costs, send bo a mail and ask him.
bo@goldenagemusic.se

Hey Hotstuff. Thanks for the link..!...

[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...

[Knastratt]

Soundfile!

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-...dfiles-gs.html

[Hotstuff]

The power supply is indeed external, it´s not really a wall wart, it´s an external power supply in a plastic casing.
The preamp is very quiet, the fact that the power supply is external definitely contributes to this.
I will be using it extensively on my next project so I will have some sound clips to post!

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Hotstuff

The power supply is indeed external, it´s not really a wall wart, it´s an external power supply in a plastic casing.

...like a Laptop/Monitor power supply?...and it's 24V AC output?...how many amps/watts?...just curious since the original PSUs were built for 220V (europe) and we would need 110V versions for the US...

[Hotstuff]

Yes, looks like a laptop power supply, 24v AC output.
I will take a picture tomorrow.

[beef]

Originally Posted by Anthony_Alto

We are indeed a dealer for these and 12 units will be arriving next week. Shoot me an email at address below for pricing and availability.


anthony@altomusic.com

Is it possible to get the prices here?

[O'Ryan]

Originally Posted by Hotstuff

Yes, looks like a laptop power supply, 24v AC output.
I will take a picture tomorrow.

Ya take a pic.

[O'Ryan]

Originally Posted by Anthony_Alto

It isn't really in proper form to give pricing on the forums. I would rather not. Feel free to email me with any questions.

How many do you still have available and did the power supply come yet ?

[Coyoteous]

SLIM SHANE Johnny Z TOM ANTHONY

This Alto site is strange. If anyone has a price from them would you please post it.

- thanks!

[MATTI]

Golden Age Music AB

Matti

[Coyoteous]

- sorry, I meant the US/Alto price... edited the previous post.

[Knastratt]

Originally Posted by O'Ryan

Ya take a pic.

Here's what it says:

TDCPower Model No. DE-45-24
Pri: 230-240 50 Hz 62 VA
Sec: 24 V Max 45 VA

[O'Ryan]

The funny thing is i really know this thing is not gonna sound like a 1073 to the "Neve Pro's" , I just want a low end Pre that sounds beautiful on my stuff.

[slowjett]

Maybe you guys can help me.

Here is my dilemma I can pick up a Vintech Dual 72 for about 700. But its only got like 54db of gain. Im wondering if it wont be enough if I decide to use it with an sm7 or somthing. Im looking for something primarily for vocals and bass. With the 72 i'd probably throw it on snare/kick too. But the Pre 73 seems like it could fit my bill for that color of sound and save me a bit of $$ as well as give me that extra gain. What would you guys do?

-josh

[Knastratt]

Originally Posted by O'Ryan

The funny thing is i really know this thing is not gonna sound like a 1073 to the "Neve Pro's" , I just want a low end Pre that sounds beautiful on my stuff.

Who ****ing cares what it's not. It's great.

[Knastratt]

I got a PM requesting a neck shot. Here it is.

Has 2 XLR in (Mic&Line) + Low-Z TRS on the front.

2 Line out (XLR&TRS).

Cheers - Pär

[O'Ryan]

Originally Posted by Knastratt

Who ****ing cares what it's not. It's great.

I wasn't bashing i was agreeing.

[Knastratt]

Originally Posted by O'Ryan

I wasn't bashing i was agreeing.

Oh - I wasn't aiming that at you. It was for people to come saying "well it might be good but a NEVE it's NOT".

[greatgreatriver]

knastratt what's the price - i svenska kronan please!

[Knastratt]

Originally Posted by greatgreatriver

knastratt what's the price - i svenska kronan please!

2595:-