Warm Audio WA273 Dual Channel Mic Preamp

The Warm Audio WA273 is a dual-channel microphone preamp built to capture the essence of the legendary '73-style British preamp designs that have shaped countless classic recordings. At its core is a fully discrete, Carnhill transformer-balanced signal path that imparts the harmonic richness and musical warmth associated with vintage units costing many times more. Each of the two independent channels offers mic, line, and instrument inputs, giving engineers the flexibility to track a wide range of sources — from condenser and ribbon microphones to electric guitars and keyboards — without additional DI boxes or conversion stages.

With 80dB of available gain, the WA273 has more than enough headroom to drive demanding low-output microphones like ribbons and certain dynamic models, eliminating the need for external gain boosters that can introduce noise. The preamp is built with professional-grade components housed in a sturdy metal chassis, and its straightforward control layout — gain knob, input selection, polarity, and phantom power per channel — keeps the workflow fast and intuitive. While it intentionally omits onboard EQ to keep the design focused and the price accessible, the WA273 stands on its own as a high-quality front end for any recording setup.