Golden Age Project Pre-573 Premier 500 Series Microphone Preamp

Ultra-flexible input

The Pre-573 Premier offers a tremendous level of flexibility. In mic mode, this 500 Series module’s gain range goes from -10dB to +80dB, with 20dB to 70dB handled by a turn switch and an additional 5–10dB handled with a toggle switch. Switchable impedance on the mic input, 1200 or 300 ohms, ensures that this preamp plays well with a variety of microphones. With a flip of a switch, you can also configure the input to accept line-level signals, lowering the gain by 30dB and increasing the input impedance by 10k ohm.

Loads of pro-level features

Looking for a variety of must-have features? You’ll be impressed by the Golden Age Pre-573 Premier . Unwanted low-frequency rumble is a nonstarter, thanks to its selectable 2-position 6dB/octave highpass filter with 45Hz and 180Hz settings. This preamp’s front-panel instrument input is switchable between a hi-Z active mode and a mid-Z passive mode for added versatility. Driving the Pre-573 Premier into transformer-flavored saturation is easy, courtesy of its separate output knob. You also get an insert jack for patching in your favorite outboard processors, a polarity reverse switch, and a selectable AIR equalizer, which gives you a 6dB boost centered at 30kHz. A simple yet effective single-LED level indicator and +48V phantom power is the final icing on the cake.

The Golden Age Project: affordable, high-quality gear

The Golden Age Project was founded in 2005 on the belief that vintage gear sounds best, and the desire to pass on this sonic legacy to a new generation of musicians, engineers, and producers. All-discrete, Class A signal paths with no integrated circuits; the use of transformers, stepped controls, and military-grade build quality: these are the cornerstones of the legendary British equipment deployed in world-class recording and broadcast studios in the 1970s — the Golden Age of Analog. Fat, warm, punchy, and authoritative; this is the sound heard on countless hits for nigh unto half a century. Locating, purchasing, restoring, and maintaining vintage gear is time consuming and costly. Fortunately, this small, family-owned Swedish company makes gear the same way it was made back in the day — at an amazingly accessible price.

A distributor of high-end studio equipment for many years, Golden Age Project founder Bo Medin wanted to be able to offer products with much of the same exclusive sound in a price range that made them available to a larger audience. Inspired by original designs, Golden Age uses modern technology to re-create that lush, opulent sound, making it surprisingly affordable. They use some modern ingenuity to add new functionality to superb classic designs and produce them in a cost-effective way, which allows them to be both optimized and affordable. From outboard equipment to condenser, dynamic, and ribbon mics, you can outfit your entire studio with vintage-inspired Golden Age gear without exceeding your budget.

Golden Age Pre-573 Premier 500 Series Microphone Preamp Features:

• Vintage-style electronics with UK-made Carnhill transformers, tantalum and polystyrene capacitors, and no integrated circuits
• 80dB of gain in Mic mode easily handles passive ribbon mics on quiet sound sources
• Switchable impedance on the mic input ensures that this preamp plays well with a variety of microphones
• Input configured for line-level signals via switch that attenuates level by 30dB and increases impedance 10k ohm
• 2-position 6dB/octave highpass filter with 45Hz and 180Hz settings for attenuating low-frequency rumble
• Front-panel instrument input is switchable between hi-Z active mode and mid-Z passive mode for added versatility
• Output level control for fine gain adjustments and driving the main gain stage for more character
• Insert jack for patching in your favorite outboard processors
• Polarity reverse switch and switchable phantom power with LED indicator
• Selectable AIR equalizer gives you a 6dB boost centered at 30kHz
• Simple yet effective single-LED level indicator
• Soft start circuit that ramps up the supply voltage slowly to avoid a power-on current surge
• 6.8k ohm phantom power resistors are matched to within 0.1% to maintain excellent common-mode rejection
• Selectable 600 ohm output termination at rear of module
• Circuit board star grounding scheme