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The Neve 1073® preamp/EQ has held its place as a studio icon since its debut in 1970. Designed by Rupert Neve, this legendary piece of gear quickly became a staple in professional studios worldwide, celebrated for its rich, warm tone and unmistakable character.
Its Class A discrete, transistor-based design and hand-wired craftsmanship set the 1073 apart, creating a sonic signature that’s as timeless as the music it has helped shape. From its thick, mid-forward presence to its silky smooth high end, the 1073 delivers a sound that’s as inspiring today as it was over 50 years ago.
Despite its enduring legacy, vintage 1073 units remain out of reach for many due to their scarcity and high price. Thankfully, numerous manufacturers have stepped in to offer 1073-style preamps that capture the magic of the original while providing options to suit a variety of budgets and workflows.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of our favorite modern takes on the classic 1073 design, featuring modules from renowned brands like Neve, BAE, Vintech, Golden Age Audio, and more. Whether you're looking for a faithful recreation or a versatile update, this list has something for every studio.
For those seeking an authentic 1073 preamp/EQ, look no further than AMS Neve — the only brand recreating genuine 1073 units. Available in two variants – the CV (vertical) and CH (horizontal) – these hand-wired preamp/EQs are built in Burnley, England to the exact specifications of the 1970 original.
Each unit features the classic Class A discrete design and custom-wound transformers that made the 1073 famous, delivering that signature combination of punch, warmth, and musical clarity. The three-band EQ section remains unchanged, offering a fixed 12 kHz high shelf, sweepable mids with six points between 360 Hz and 7.2 kHz, and a low band with four fixed frequencies from 35 Hz to 220 Hz. A switchable high-pass filter rounds out the package.
Each 1073 module has been designed to perfectly retrofit into the 80 Series Neve Classic consoles as part of a channel strip or can be mounted in a custom rack. For those considering a custom rack, check out the Neve 1073N, which comes in a portable desktop chassis.
A vertical version of the 1073 preamp/EQ designed for use in 80 Series Neve Classic consoles or custom racks.
A horizontal version of the 1073 preamp/EQ designed for use in 80 Series Neve Classic consoles or custom racks.
A single-channel 1073 preamp/EQ in a portable desktop chassis.
Building on the legendary 1073 design, the SPX, DPX, and OPX bring Neve's coveted preamp into the modern era with expanded connectivity and metering. These versatile rackmount units deliver the unmistakable Class A sound in a convenient 1U rack format, complete with genuine Marinair transformers and hand-wired circuitry manufactured in England.
Each model maintains all the sonic characteristics that made the original famous — from its harmonically rich preamp stage to the musical three-band EQ section — while adding practical features for today's workflow. The front panel hosts an integrated DI input, true bypass insert points, and clear LED metering for precise gain staging. Additional rear-panel connectivity provides flexible routing options for both studio and live applications.
A single-channel microphone preamp and EQ produced to the original 1970-issue specifications with matching components and modern features.
A 1073SPX channel strip with a built-in digital audio interface featuring USB and ADAT connections.
A two-channel version of the 1073SPX.
An eight-channel version of the 1073SPX.
An eight-channel version of the 1073SPX with a digital option card for USB and Dante connectivity.
An eight-channel version of the 1073SPX with a digital option card for USB and ADAT connectivity.
For those seeking classic Neve sound in the popular 500 Series format, the 1073LB delivers the authentic Class A circuitry and custom transformers of the original, hand-built in England to exacting specifications.
This compact module features the same discrete signal path as its larger siblings, complete with hand-wound input and output transformers and carefully matched components. Modern appointments include a fine trim control for precise gain staging, switchable input impedance, and an intelligent front-panel combo input with protected phantom power switching.
A fully discrete 500 Series mic preamp based on the 1073.
BAE’s 1073-style designs are built with meticulous attention to the original specifications. Hand-wired in California using premium components like Carnhill transformers and discrete Class A circuitry, this preamp/EQ delivers the same thick, punchy character that made its predecessor legendary.
The unit maintains the classic three-band EQ configuration and mic preamp architecture while adding subtle modern refinements for reliability. From the traditional Marconi-style knobs to the precisely matched components, every detail has been considered to ensure authentic vintage performance. The result is a preamp that captures the unmistakable warmth and presence of the original, with the build quality to withstand decades of use.
A modular version of the BAE 1073 that can be seamlessly retrofitted into vintage Neve 80 Series consoles.
A preamp-only version of BAE’s 1073 design in a portable desktop chassis, available in mono and stereo modules.
BAE also offers several rackmount variants of the brand’s 1073-style preamp design, equipped with the same bells and whistles as the modular version in a convenient 19” rackmount chassis.
A rackmountable preamp/EQ with classic Carnhill transformers, Elma switches, and Canford wire, the BAE 1073 is identical to the original 1073-style design down to the very last component.
Available in single- and dual-channel versions, with and without a PSU, in blue or black finishes:
A preamp and filter-only version of the BAE 1073, available in single- and dual-channel versions, with and without a PSU:
A preamp-only version of the BAE 1073, available in single- and dual-channel versions, with and without a PSU:
Looking to add some of that classic 1073-style preamp character to your lunchbox? BAE also offers two 500 Series versions of the brand’s popular 1073-style preamp/EQ design.
A three-slot 500 series 1073-style microphone preamp/EQ module with extra high frequencies and a direct input.
A 500 Series version of the 1073MP preamp.
All of Vintech’s 1073-style reproductions are based on the X73 design, which features all Class A, fully discrete, transformer-balanced circuitry. Built around custom-wound transformers manufactured in-house using precision Japanese winding equipment, the X73 delivers the characteristic warmth and punch that made the original famous.
Following the classic 1073 topology, the X73 features a Class A discrete preamp section paired with a three-band EQ circuit. The custom output transformer, based on the original Marinair design, helps deliver that signature midrange presence and smooth high end. Controls remain true to the original, with stepped gain adjustment and familiar EQ points that recording engineers have relied on for decades.
An all-discrete, Class-A microphone preamp/EQ featuring the same circuit design, polystyrene capacitors, and transformers as the original design.
A stereo version of the X73.
A four-channel version of the X73.
An enhanced version of the X73 with additional mid-range frequencies, selectable input impedance, and more.
A 500 Series version of the X73.
All of Golden Age Audio’s 1073-style designs stem from the PRE-73 preamp, which brings the essence of the original to project studios at a breakthrough price point.
The brand’s innovative design combines traditional circuit elements with modern manufacturing efficiencies, utilizing a fully discrete signal path with transformer-balanced inputs and outputs to deliver the warmth and character associated with vintage preamps.
Both mic and line inputs and outputs feature custom transformers, each optimized for their specific role in the circuit to help maintain the musical qualities of the original design.
A single-channel 1073-style preamp/EQ with a fully discrete, transformer-balanced signal path.
A preamp-only version of the PREQ-73, hand-built using the finest components
A deluxe version of the PRE-73 preamp with additional high-pass filter frequency and output pad gain options.
A premier, small-batch edition of Golden Age’s Deluxe PRE-73 preamp, hand-built using the finest components.
A “junior” version of the PRE-73 in a compact ¼ rack.
A 500 Series version of the PRE-73 preamp.
A premier, small-batch edition of Golden Age’s Pre573, hand-built using the finest components.
A portable version of the PRE-73 preamp in a convenient desktop chassis.
Building on his legendary 1073 design, Rupert Neve Design's 5052 delivers classic Class A sonics with modern refinements. This dual-channel package includes two 5052 modules in a Shelford rack, featuring discrete circuitry, custom-wound transformers, and the innovative Silk/Texture controls from the Portico II series.
The preamp section provides 72dB of gain with the characteristic warmth of square-core transformers, while the three-band inductor EQ combines elements from Neve's most celebrated designs – including the sweet midrange of the 1073. Modern appointments include variable Silk saturation, dual signal paths for simultaneous pre/post-recording, and a sweepable high-pass filter.
Heritage Audio's TT-73 (and the dual-channel DTT73) bring classic 1073-style circuitry to a portable form factor, perfect for stage, remote recording, and project studio applications. Built with the same discrete Class A topology and custom transformers as their rack units, this tabletop preamp delivers professional-grade tone in a compact package.
Modern features include a high-impedance DI input with a thru-connection for live performance flexibility, plus an internal universal power supply designed for noise-free operation near audio transformers. The distinctive RAF blue-grey steel and wood construction provides both durability and aesthetic appeal.
WesAudio's _PHOEBE 500 Series preamp combines premium Carnhill input and output transformers with Class A circuitry and easy-to-use DAW integration for automated workflow.
_PHOEBE delivers up to 75dB of gain with +28dBu headroom, while the dual amp design provides the characteristic warmth and punch of vintage British consoles. Modern features include a front-panel combo input for instruments, iron pad adjustment, and comprehensive plug-in control compatible with major DAWs.
Built around premium Cinemag input and output transformers, Black Lion Audio's B173 MKII (and the four-channel B173) offer 70dB of gain with lower noise floor and refined distortion characteristics compared to its predecessor.
The unit features stepped input gain and variable output attenuation for precise control over transformer saturation. A front-panel DI input provides rich harmonic content for instruments, while standard features like phantom power and polarity inversion ensure studio-ready functionality.
Taking aim at the revered British console sound, the WA73 combines premium components with cost-effective manufacturing. At its core are custom Carnhill transformers, hand-wired discrete circuitry, and vintage-inspired capacitors delivering 80dB of gain. Each unit undergoes manual assembly to maintain the character of classic designs while meeting an accessible price point.
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