Building on its tradition of creating vintage preamplifiers faithful to the original design specifications, BAE Audio announces the newest family member among its 1073 series: the 1073MPL.
The 1073MPL is the result of more than two years of research and development, making the sound of the 1073 available in a small package. The new 1073MPL delivers the same class A sound that BAE preamplifiers are known for, all in a compact and cost effective 500 series package.
For equipment manufacturers, designing and building 500 series modules is often ripe with challenges, given the significantly reduced physical space. As a result, compromises are often made with componentry, wiring and circuitry. This is not the case with the 1073MPL, which is hand-wired and assembled in California using the same Carnhill/St Ives transformers that BAE is known for. This module lives up to the reputation of its larger, rackmounted brethren and delivers authenticity down to the last detail, from its original Marconi knobs to its sonic signature across the frequency range.
“Despite its small footprint, this unit is packed with features and delivers an immediately recognizable sound,” commented Mark Loughman, BAE Audio president. “It is also very versatile — its impedance switching capability and high impedance DI make it useful for use with a range of different microphones, as well as guitars, synths and other instruments.”
BAE Audio has been building the 1073 for 15 years. While the company continues to innovate with products like the 1073MPL, it takes a ‘no-compromise’ approach to build and manufacturing, with each of its products meeting the company’s exacting standards of quality and authenticity.
Similar to the rest of the BAE 1073 line, the 1073MPL contains a trinity of core elements helping it produce the ‘vintage’ sound that is associated with classic recordings of the 1960s and 70s. These include the aforementioned Carnhill transformers — imported from England and hand assembled at the company’s plant in North Hollywood. Loughman says that the company strives to educate consumers at every juncture on the importance of insisting on these components, “otherwise, corners have been cut,” he says.
Specifications:
Frequency Response: 10Hz to -3dB at 55kHz
Line Input Impedance: 10k ohms
Output Impedance: 65 ohms
Common Mode Rejection Ratio: 100dB min @ 60Hz
Maximum Output Level: +27.4 dBu @ 600Ω
Gain dB: 0 to 71 dB
The 1073MPL is available now through BAE Audio’s network of authorized dealers, and carries a retail price of $899.