PRE73 mkI vs mkII - noise?

[dickiefunk]

Hi,

Does anyone on here have any experience with the mkI and mkII versions of the PRE73?
Is there an improvement in the noise performance with the mkII version?

I'm also wondering if the noise of the DLX version will be improved even further?

[Audio Child]

I notice you have a great obsession with noise factors on preamps!
Pre73s are being used fine as is!
If it bothers you that much buy a higher end unit!

[manzini]

Originally Posted by Audio Child

I notice you have a great obsession with noise factors on preamps!

like me

-90db Noise floor, for me was simply unnaceptable.

Check Jim Williams advice about cheap transistor replacement and some else

Which single GAP Pre 73 mod is the most critical


before



after



a pair of bucks, the best improve.

Carnhill, tantalum, it's depend, not for me, only obsessed with the high noise. Now very very happy with the stock version. Could be better caps, another Jim Williams advice, will be next mod.

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by Audio Child

I notice you have a great obsession with noise factors on preamps!
Pre73s are being used fine as is!
If it bothers you that much buy a higher end unit!

Whilst there are many using and liking the mkI PRE73 there was definitely an issue with noise at higher gain settings. Bizarrely many said that this isn't true but even Bo at Golden Age said there was!

For those of you with the mkI version here is some info on what the issue was and how to fix it

Golden Age Pre-73 mic preamp | GA Pre-73 | Golden Age mic preamp

Reading from the info on the mkII PRE73 it says :-

- Reduced noise at high gains by a change to the power supply grounding scheme.

For the DLX version the info says

- Circuit board star grounding scheme.

- Revised power supply with separate regulators for the audio circuits and relay and LED circuits

- Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.

- Relays are used to control internal switching for DI input, Phantom power, Mic Low Z, Insert and Phase for shorter circuit board signal paths. The relays are controlled by front panel switches.

Is star grounding the same as the change in the grounding change in the mkII or is this different? I wondering with the extra changes in the DLX version if the noise has been reduced further?