The Warm Audio WA273 Dual-Channel Mic Preampis a dual-channel, Class-A microphone preamp designed to provide up to 80 dB of gain for engineers, producers, musicians, and vocalists in mobile-recording rigs and home, project, and commercial studios. It features custom Carnhill transformers and is wired and assembled by hand to deliver the sound and functionality of classic British '73-style preamps.

Its inputs include balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS jacks and two front-panel 1/4" TS instrument inputs. Input impedance, polarity, ground lift, and phantom power are switchable. Connect an outboard compressor or equalizer via the 1/4" TS insert send and return jacks. Balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs are fed by output level controls and allow compatibility with most audio interfaces and mixing consoles. The selectable high-pass filter can be set to 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, or 300 Hz for management of unruly bass frequencies.

The WA273 is rack-mountable and occupies 1 RU.

Mic, Line, and Instrument Inputs    Insert Sends and Returns    Up to 80 dB of Gain    Output Level Control    Switchable Input Impedance    Selectable High-Pass Filter    Custom Carnhill Transformers    Phantom Power and Polarity Switches    Ground-Lift Switch    Wired and Assembled by Hand

Occupies 1 RU

Dual-channel, Class-A mic preamp wired and assembled by hand

Created through years of R&D, careful reverse-engineering, and countless hours of auditioning

Designed to function and sound like a classic '73-style preamp

Fully discrete, transformer-balanced signal path

Custom Carnhill transformers saturate sweetly when pushed

Tantalum and polystyrene capacitors in the signal path and an output transistor choice that is smooth in high-gain settings

Stepped mic pre gain

Inductor-based selectable high-pass filter

Balanced XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs

Front-panel 1/4" TS instrument inputs

1/4" TS insert sends and returns

Output controls with 5-segment LED meters

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Will this preamp boost an XLR signal a further distance than without using it? I have to cover a distance of ~300ft and am trying to assure no loss of signal.

A: The Rolls Mini-Mic Preamp is not really designed for boosting signal on a long cable run. For 300 feet, you should use high quality shielded audio cables to avoid signal loss and if you do need to increase the gain without adding noise, you might want to try the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator (B&H # CLCL1) which improves signal-to-noise ratio and improves the performance of passive microphone signals by driving stronger, cleaner signals over longer XLR cable runs.

Q: 2. Needing a amplified microphone to do voiceover on live dvd recording?

A: You don't need it, but a pre amp is a good idea!

Q: 3. Will this work to power and amplify a condenser mic fed into a 3-way line splitter, specifically a Whirlwind SP1X3LL?

A: The Rolls MP13 is able to power a condenser mic and the output can be connected to a splitter such as the Whirlwind SP1X3LL. The MP13 however only offers 36v of phantom power and would not be recommended for mics who require a full 48v. Many mics are able to operate at a range of voltages from 9v - 52v and you should check your mics requirements before purchase.

Q: 4. Is the case metal or plastic? Any RFI suppression built in?

A: Works Great. Metal case. I used it with an ethernet adaptor and was able to send the audio signal through a schools cat5 wiring for their school PA System.

Q: 5. Will this boost an XLR signal a further distance? I have a cable run of ~250ft and am trying to assure that I don't lose a signal.

A: The Rolls Mini-Mic Preamp is not really designed for boosting signal on a long cable run. For ~250 feet, you should use high quality shielded audio cables to avoid signal loss and if you do need to increase the gain without adding noise, you might want to try the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator (B&H # CLCL1) which improves signal-to-noise ratio and improves the performance of passive microphone signals by driving stronger, cleaner signals over longer XLR cable runs.

Q: 6. Does thr PSU attach to the back of the microphone? If not, what is the finned "box" shown in the pictures? Does the AC input use a standard IEC female plug? Thank you!

A: The finned box on the back of the Warm Audio WA-8000 Large-Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser Microphone is an external cooling assembly that helps to maintain the optimal operating temperature for the 6AU6 tube and prevents the mic from overheating by allowing the heat from the tube to dissipate through the fins. The included external power supply unit does use a standard IEC cable with a female connector which is also included in the package along with a 7-pin microphone cable, a shockmount, and a hard shell carrying case.

Q: 7. Does this mixer work with IPhones?

A: To connect the Saramonic SR-PAX1 Two-Channel Audio Mixer, Preamp, Microphone Adapter, you would require a 3.5mm to Lighting adapter such as BH #APLAADAP.

Q: 8. Which Rolls preamps are battery powered?

A: NO LO SE

Q: 9. can this unit only be powered by the internal battery?

A: The Saramonic SR-PAX1 Two-Channel Audio Mixer, Preamp, Microphone Adapter is powered by a 9V battery. It does not have an internal rechargeable battery.

Q: 10. Since this doesn’t work for IPhone, would it still work directly plugged into your PC for recording two mics? Like on Audition?

A: The Saramonic SR-PAX1 Two-Channel Audio Mixer, Preamp, Microphone Adapter's 3.5mm output could technically be plugged into a computer's microphone jack, but this is not how it is designed to be used and you would achieve much better results by using an audio interface instead.