Heritage Audio HA-81A Channel Strip with 73-Style Mic Preamp & 81-Style EQ

If you've ever dreamed of combining the classic texture of a 1073-style preamp with the smooth, creamy curves of a 1081-style EQ, check out the Heritage Audio HA-81A, which does exactly that. This is a single-channel preamp for microphone and line-level signal, one that closely resembles the classic British preamps of the 70s.

The preamp section utilizes a discrete Class-A design, replete with Carnhill input transformers and and St. Ives output transformers to give you to bold, yet smooth sound commensurate with 73-style preamps. The equalizer, on the other hand, provides four bands of inductor-based operation, just like the original 81-style EQ. High- and low-pass filters are on hand for carving out swaths of unwanted bass and treble frequencies, while two shelf controls handle boosting or sculpting the highs and lows. When these shelves are combined with the two bell filters that handle the midrange, you'll find you have 30 different frequency selections from which to choose.

On the rear of the channel strip, you'll find input and output connections, with dedicated XLR inputs for line and and mic signal. The front offers a 1/4" DI input. You'll find controls for 48V phantom power, polarity reverse, pad, and impedance on the front panel as well. Power the unit through an external, dedicated power supply.