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W W W . G O L D E N A G E P R O J E C T . C O M

II

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The signal first enters an input transformer, 
one for the mic input and a one for the line 
input. The primary of the mic input trans-
former has two windings that are either con-
nected in series or in parallell which results 
in an input impedance of either 1200 Ohms or 
300 Ohms.
The transformers are followed by two input 
gain stages. For gains up to 50dB, only one of 

them is being used. For gains above 50dB, the second gain stage is inserted 
in the signal path. Both gain stages uses only three transistors each.
The signal then goes to the Insert jack, the High Pass filter and the Output 
level potentiometer and from there on to the output stage. This stage again 
only uses three transistors, the last one in the chain is a hefty 2N3055 power 
transistor run in class-A mode, driving the output transformer that is followed 
by the stepped output attenuator (PAD).
So, all in all, the complete signal chain only contains a maximum of nine 
active elements. Compare that to the big number of transistors that are usu-
ally used in one single integrated circuit! 

USING THE PRE-73 DLX
Using a preamplifier is not rocket science. Here are some points though to 
help you getting the maximum out of the PRE-73 DLX:
- Connect the cable from the power adaptor to the  24V AC connector at the 
back of the PRE-73 DLX. Power on the unit with the POWER switch at the 
front.
- Connect your Mic and/or Line sources to the input XLR/TRS combo jacks at 
the back. A Mic and Line source can be connected at the same time,
- Switching between Mic and Line input is simply done by setting the MIC/
LINE switch to one of the MIC or LINE positions. 
- Connect a cable from the XLR or the TRS output jack to the next unit in the 
chain. They are connected in parallel and carry the same signal. The outputs 
can feed both balanced and unbalanced inputs without any problems.
- If you want the smallest amount of coloration, always set the OUTPUT level 
potentiometer at or close to maximum, the PAD to 0 dB and adjust the output 
level with the stepped LINE/MIC gain switch. 
- If you want more character, you can do any, or both of the following: 
1.  Turn the OUTPUT level potentiometer counterclock-wise and increase the 
gain with the LINE/MIC switch. This will drive the input gain stage(s) harder 
and provoke more character from them.  
2. Engage the stepped output attenuator (PAD) and again increase the gain 
with the MIC/LINE switch. This will also drive the output stage and the output 
transformer harder and add character. 
- Engaging PAD at -14 dB is also useful if the input of the following unit has 
the -10 dBu semi-professional operating level. The standard operating level of 
the PRE-73 DLX is +4 dBu, the output level into a 600 ohm load will be about 
1,23V when the “0” VU LED is lit when PAD is set to 0 dB.
- Instruments can be connected to the active DI TRS input at the front panel. 
The DI uses a FET-buffer and has an input impedance of about 1,5 Mohm. 
Press the DI switch to engage this input. The DI input works in the MIC 
positions of the gain switch. Mic and Line sources at the back can remain 
connected.  
The output of the DI circuit is sent through the mic input transformer.
- Engage the +48V phantom power for any mic that needs it. It is a good 
procedure to always disengage the phantom power and wait for about 10 
seconds before unplugging the mic.
- When the LOW-Z switch is engaged, the input impedance of the Mic input 
drops from 1200 Ohms to 300 Ohms. This will change the tone of many micro-
phones and will give you one more soundshaping option. It also increases the 
level, which is normal.
- The PRE-73 DLX has a inductor based high pass filter with a roll off of 18 dB/
octave. This is a very useful tool to remove excess bass energy.
- The phase switch simply reverses the phase by reversing the wires from 
the secondary winding of the output transformer. Reversing the phase of the 
signal is useful on a number of occasions, one example is phase reversing 
the the lower mic of a snare drum to make it sum in phase with the upper 
mic. 
- There is an unbalanced Insert jack located at the back panel where you can 
insert Equalizers and other external effect units that has an operating level 
of about -18 dBu. The Insert is engaged with the INSERT switch on the front 

panel. Send is on “tip” and return on “ring”.
- The output transformer used in the PRE-73 DLX is made for having an ideal 
load of about 600 ohm. The input impedance of most modern units is 10 kohm 
or more. The PRE-73 DLX has a 600 ohm output termination switch located 
at the back panel. Engaging the switch terminates the output transformer 
with a resistor to bring down the load to about 600 ohms. This switch should 
normally be engaged if you are connecting the PRE-73 DLX to a modern unit 
but you can also choose not to engage the switch. This will lift the high end 
frequency response slightly which can sometimes be a good thing.
- There is a Ground Lift switch on the back panel that lifts the internal ground 
from the cabinet. If the unit is mounted in a rack together with other units and 
you experience ground loop problems, try engaging it.

CUSTOMIZING THE PRE-73 DLX
There are several functions in the PRE-73 DLX that can be customized by the 
user. Remove the top plate of the unit and then follow the instructions below. 
Feel free to experiment with the different small tonal changes that these 
options can provide.
1. To change the input impedance of the active DI input to 100 kohm 
Locate the jumper JP3 just behind the DI TRS jack. Relocate the jumper so 
that it connects both pins of JP3.
2. To change the DI input from an active one to a passive one 
This option will feed the signal from the DI input directly to the mic input 
transformer or to the first gain stage if option no 3 is used. 
Locate the “DIout” socket about 10cm/4” from the front panel at the left edge of 
the circuit board. Remove the connector from the socket and connect it to the 
“DI pass out” socket located just behind the power switch.  
Option no 1 can NOT be used at the same time as option no 2!
3. To change the DI from not passing through the mic input transformer 
This option will feed the signal from the DI input directly to the gain stage.
- Locate the “DIpreXF” socket just behind the middle of the MIC and LINE XLR 
inputs. Remove the connector and connect it to the “DIpostXF” socket located 
in front of the mic input transformer which is the one to the left in the middle 
of the circuit board. 
- Locate the “DIpre” jumper located to the right of the “DIpostXF” socket. 
Remove the jumper and install it at the “DIpost” jumper located to the right of 
the “DIpreXF” socket.
4. To cut the output signal to the INSERT jack when insert is not activated 
Locate jumper “INSout” just behind the middle of the LINE input XLR and the 
INSERT TRS jack. Remove the jumper.
The circuit board of the PRE-73 DLX is prepared for Carnhill transformers and 
inductors. If you did not buy your unit with these options, they can be fitted 
whenever you want to do so. The work can be made by the distributor in your 
area or you can do it yourself if you have soldering experience. Please note 
though that the warranty will be void if work has been made on your unit by 
anyone else than one of our Distributors. 
The Carnhill parts can be bought in our webshop or through our Distributors. 

WARRANTY
The PRE-73 DLX is built to last. But as in any electronic device, components 
can break down. 
There is a 1,5A, fast blow fuse located inside the unit. If the unit dies, please 
check this fuse. If it has blown, replace it with a new one. You can also try with 
another 24V AC adaptor if you have one available. 
If this doesn´t help, or if the unit has another problem, it will need repair and 
you should then contact the reseller where you bought the unit. 
The warranty period is decided by the Distributor for your country. The Dis-
tributor will support Golden Age Project resellers and end users with repairs 
and spare parts. 

REGISTRATION
You are welcome to register your unit at:  www.goldenageproject.com

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I would like to thank you for chosing the PRE-73 DLX!  

I hope it will serve you well and that it will help you in making  

many great sounding recordings. 

Yours, 

Bo Medin

Create music 

– Be happy!

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