Pricing and availability

Average Price: $200

Budget/Beginner

$599

$2000+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unlock the vintage warmth and character of classic Neve mic preamps with the Golden Age Project Pre-573 MKII 500 Series Mic Preamp Module. Crafted for both the seasoned studio engineer and the passionate home recordist, this preamp brings legendary analog sound into an accessible format. With a robust 80dB of gain, it effortlessly powers even the most delicate ribbon mics, making it ideal for capturing the subtleties of intimate vocals or acoustic instruments. The Air circuit offers a 6dB boost at 30kHz, adding a touch of crispness to your recordings without losing that coveted warmth.

The Pre-573 MKII is versatile and intuitive, featuring switchable impedance settings, phantom power, and a DI input, allowing you to tailor your sound to perfection. The meticulously designed soft-start circuit ensures a smooth power-up, protecting your gear from sudden current surges. Plus, its fully transformer-balanced output delivers a pure, noise-free signal that can drive a 600-ohm load, capturing every nuance of your performance with remarkable clarity.

Whether you're layering complex arrangements or recording a single vocal track, this module's vintage-style electronics and modern enhancements offer a seamless blend of old and new. The Pre-573 MKII is not just a piece of gear; it's a gateway to the lush, opulent sound of the past, reimagined for today's audio landscape.

Key Features:

  • Vintage-style electronics with no integrated circuits in the signal path
  • 80dB of gain for handling passive ribbon mics
  • Switchable impedance on mic input (1,200 or 300 ohms)
  • Selectable Air equalizer switch adds 6dB boost at 30kHz
  • Transformer-balanced output for noise-free signal
  • Flexible input facilities with Mic/Line and DI switching
  • Soft start circuit to protect against power surges
  • Phantom power with LED indicator
  • Polarity reverse switch
  • Solid build quality for long-lasting use

Product specs

Brand Golden Age Project
Model Pre-573 MKII 500 Series Mic Preamp Module
Year 2010s
Categories 500 Series Modules and Frames, Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What type of sound character can I expect from the Golden Age Project Pre-573 MKII?

The Pre-573 MKII is known for its warm, vintage sound character, reminiscent of classic analog preamps. It adds a rich harmonic texture to your recordings, making it ideal for vocals and instruments seeking a classic tone.

Is the Golden Age Project Pre-573 MKII compatible with all 500 Series racks?

Yes, the Pre-573 MKII is designed to fit standard 500 Series racks, ensuring compatibility with most 500 Series setups available in professional and home studios.

Does the Pre-573 MKII offer any gain control features?

The Pre-573 MKII provides a wide gain range with stepped gain control, allowing precise adjustments and making it suitable for a variety of microphones and recording situations.

Can the Golden Age Project Pre-573 MKII handle high SPL sources?

Yes, the Pre-573 MKII is capable of handling high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for loud sources such as drums and electric guitar amplifiers without distortion.

What makes the Pre-573 MKII different from other 500 Series preamps?

The Pre-573 MKII stands out with its vintage-inspired design and sound, offering a unique tonal character that emulates classic analog preamps, which is a distinguishing feature compared to more modern-sounding preamps in the 500 Series format.

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Golden Age Project Pre-573 Mk II vs. Warm Audio WA12-500 Mk II

Video thumbnail for Golden Age Project Pre-573 Mk II vs. Warm Audio WA12-500 Mk II by Made by Miike

Golden Age Project Pre-573 Mk II vs. Warm Audio WA12-500 Mk II

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Video thumbnail for 1073-style Preamp Shootout (Heritage, GAP, Black Lion Audio) by Made by Miike

1073-style Preamp Shootout (Heritage, GAP, Black Lion Audio)

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Video thumbnail for Golden Age Project Pre-573 Mk II vs. Pre-573 PLUS (w. CARNHILL) by Made by Miike

Golden Age Project Pre-573 Mk II vs. Pre-573 PLUS (w. CARNHILL)

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Reviews

PROS

  • Offers rich character and versatile tonal options

  • Active and passive DI available for enhanced flexibility

  • Impedance switch adds tonal diversity

  • Delivers punchy, dynamic sounds for various instruments

  • Outstanding value compared to higher-priced competitors

  • Convenient front-panel options for easy adjustments

  • Capable of adding pleasing distortion with high gain

  • Competes well with more expensive preamps in sound quality

CONS

  • Not ideal for those seeking ultra-clean, sterile sound

  • May lack refinement compared to premium preamps

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Golden Age Project Pre-573 MKII 500 Series Mic Preamp Module.

Comparisons

  • The Cranborne Camden 500 is frequently mentioned as the best budget alternative, offering excellent versatility and sound quality for the price range.

    Source
  • The Pre-573 is described as having a darker/warmer tone compared to the WA12, which might be better for percussive sources.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Camden Audio lunchbox preamps are highly recommended for their price-to-performance ratio, especially when considering transformer-less designs that reduce costs.

    Source
  • Some users recommend considering the Heritage Audio HA73 as a more cost-effective option compared to high-end preamps.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Golden Age Pre-573 MKII is considered a utilitarian choice for those needing multiple preamps with features like individualized phantom power in compact setups.

    Source
  • Owners suggest the Pre-573 for those looking to add "oomph" to vocals and guitars, highlighting its ability to add character.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The API 312 preamps are highlighted as classic, high-performing units, often selling for around $500 on the used market.

    Source
  • Camden preamps' "clean + color" circuit is praised for offering a distinct tonal option, though some users find the clean side too sterile without the color engaged.

    Source
  • The GAP Pre-73 can be pushed hard to thicken and color sound, especially at higher gain, but may introduce noise.

    Source

User experience

  • It's noted that while the Pre-573 can add desired warmth, at high gain settings it might introduce noise, a common trait in many color-focused preamps.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

More Golden Age Preamps

Avalon VT-737SP

$2,250.00 - $4,111.00

# 1

Rank

Matthew Bellamy Skrillex Ed Sheeran
106 artists using
API 512c

$835.38 - $968.00

# 2

Rank

Kevin Parker Jack White Ray Toro
33 artists using
AMS Neve 1073

$3,205.39 - $4,115.00

# 4

Rank

Billie Joe Armstrong Kevin Parker John Mayer
86 artists using
Focusrite ISA One

$499.00 - $699.99

# 5

Rank

Mac DeMarco Lil Peep Bonobo
10 artists using
Universal Audio 4-710D

$1,750.00 - $1,999.00

# 6

Rank

Ray Toro Dijon Oneohtrix Point Never
10 artists using
AMS Neve 1073LB

$915.00 - $1,285.00

# 7

Rank

Chris Martin Lorn Manny Marroquin
14 artists using
AMS Neve 1073DPA

$1,950.56 - $2,830.00

# 8

Rank

Steven Wilson Avicii Matt Berry
12 artists using
Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre

$333.00 - $464.00

# 9

Rank

Chris Cornell James Taylor Masaru Teramae
11 artists using
Rupert Neve Designs 511

$766.00 - $849.00

# 10

Rank

Josh Dun Oliver Ackermann Bibio
5 artists using
AMS Neve 1073 SPX Preamp / EQ

$1,599.00 - $2,095.00

# 11

Rank

Geddy Lee Keshi Andy Morin
9 artists using
Warm Audio WA73-EQ

$729.00 - $899.00

# 12

Rank

George Clanton Josh Turner nothing,nowhere.
6 artists using
Focusrite ISA Two

$795.00 - $999.99

# 14

Rank

Frank Ocean Yuki Kajiura Sick Individuals
3 artists using
ART Tube MP

$45.00 - $129.99

# 17

Rank

Mac McCaughan Tobin Sprout Andre .S
5 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides