Coveted by top engineers and producers since its introduction in 1970, the Neve 1073 channel amplifier represents the Holy Grail of characterful microphone preamplification. The 1073 mic/line input module defined the punchy, authoritative sound of the legendary Neve 80-series consoles that dominated professional recording studios in the Golden Age of Analog. Today, you can obtain this iconic sound for your studio with the AMS Neve 1073DPD 2-channel Mic/Line Preamp/ADC rackmount unit. Handwired true to the original vintage design and updated to meet the demands of modern workflows, the 1073 gives you a rich tonal palette for making audacious statements with your music.

Ultimate analog, cutting-edge digital

In the 1073DPD, two legendary Neve 1073 mic pre-amplifiers are complemented by pristine professional analog-to-digital converters, enabling you to capture a performance in any required format. In addition to Neve’s classic Class A analog outputs, the 1073DPD offers digital options that include all standard PCM sampling rates up to 192kHz. One of the unique features of the 1073DPD is Neve’s proprietary DSD output with analog insert points ahead of the ADCs. Thus, the 1073DPD marries the ultimate analog circuitry with cutting-edge digital conversion, making it a perfect choice as a front end for your state-of-the-art DAW-based recording studio.

Legendary, authoritative “big iron” sound

Since the 1970s, the Neve 1073 has reigned as the most sought-after mic preamp and equalizer on the planet — one reason being its inimitable sound, another its impressive versatility. With a generous 80dB of gain on tap, the 1073 handles even your lowest-output passive ribbon mics on quiet sources. While today’s 1073DPD retains all its vintage bona fides, AMS Neve remains an R&D-driven company that continually improves their classic designs to meet and exceed the performance requirements of today’s hybrid analog-digital workflows. The name Rupert Neve is synonymous with custom transformer-balanced Class A circuitry, and AMS Neve continues to innovate in that realm with their state-of-the-art Neve Marinair specification transformers, found on the input and output stages of the 1073DPD. With their “big iron” transformers, Neve consoles deliver wide, linear bandwidth while maintaining audiophile quality throughout the spectrum for rich, full-bodied sound with formidable lows, assertive midrange presence, and sweet, airy highs.

The 1073DPD 2-channel Mic/Line Preamp at a glance:

• Line/mic level control with 80dB of gain on tap
• Hi-/Lo-Z switch: switches impedance of the transformer-coupled input stage between 1200Ω (hi-Z) and 300Ω (lo-Z)
• 48V button: applies 48V phantom power to the XLR mic inputs
• Phase button: polarity reverse (180° phase), pre line output
• Trim control: +/–10dB trim control for transformer-balanced Class A output stage
• Clip LED: peak LED illuminates 3–4dB below clipping
• Format switch: selects between 44.1kHz PCM range, 48kHz PCM range, or DSD
• Sample Rate switch: selects which multiple of sampling rate to use (48kHz, 96kHz, or 192kHz)

• ADC In: 1/4-inch jack acts as a switched insert into the ADC input
• AES Sync: female XLR accepts standard AES 110Ω input signal for use as a word clock sync source
• Out 1/L and 2/R: male XLRs outputting standard AES 110Ω digital audio
• WCLK In: BNC input for TTL-level word clock signal; input impedance may be set to 75Ω using adjacent DIP switch
• WCLK Out: BNC 75Ω outputs TTL-level word clock signal at sampling frequency, buffered from ADC sync source
• DSD L and R: BNC 75Ω outputs TTL-level DSD signals
• 75R On/Off DIP switch: selects a 75Ω input impedance for WCLK In
• SDIF 2/3 DIP switch: selects DSD output format (SDIF2, DSD data only; SDIF3, DSD data with embedded clock)

Military-grade build quality

Decked out in classic RAF blue-gray livery, the 1073DPD 2-channel Mic/Line Preamp offers you a user experience like no other. The robust build quality of the 1073DPD — including its rotary switches, stout metalwork, and internal handwiring — is manifestly superior even to most of today’s high-end pro audio gear. And it’s a joy to use. In operation, everything feels just right, from the spoon-in-honey throw of the pots to the satisfying precision click of the switches. As was all pro audio gear of the era, vintage Neve equipment was built with mil-spec parts and materials — which, together with their extraordinary sonics, explains why we still see half-century-old Neve consoles in major studios worldwide. This is how they used to build professional audio equipment — and AMS Neve still does.

The legend continues

At Sweetwater, the name Neve commands reverence. Rupert Neve started designing audio equipment in the tube console era but made his mark with solid-state designs. Setting up shop in Little Shelford in the ’60s, Mr. Neve faced many obstacles establishing his brand amid a new technological landscape. Transistors were new, expensive, and difficult to obtain in quantity in the UK. Reliable faders didn’t exist yet — a far cry from today’s world, where parts are affordable and readily available from multiple suppliers, all competing to win bids. Nevertheless, Rupert persisted. And by the early 1970s, the Neve company was humming along, taking orders and building custom transformer-balanced consoles for recording and broadcast studios the world over.

Neve 80-series consoles had a huge, punchy, and authoritative sound that defined the sound of ’70s rock. From London to New York to Los Angeles and beyond, top studios were installing Neve desks as fast as they could. By 1978, with the introduction of the majestic 8078 — the pinnacle of handwired analog “production” consoles — and NECAM automation system, Neve boards were the main component of the success formula for any recording studio with world-class aspirations. In the decades since, AMS Neve has innovated with groundbreaking products such as the VR, VX, and 88R series consoles. And today, the company continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge pro audio gear that sounds incredible and intelligently addresses the challenges of the digital age.

AMS Neve 1073DPD 2-channel Mic/Line Preamplifier/ADC Features:

• 2 channels of legendary Neve preamplification in a 1U rackmount chassis
• Cutting-edge Neve analog-to-digital 24-bit converters
• 192kHz operation with DSD conversion, selectable via front-panel controls
• Classic Neve transformer-balanced Class A mic/line preamp
• 48V phantom power and polarity reverse switch
• Proprietary Neve Marinair transformers on input and output stages
• Handcrafted and handwired true to original 1970s design
• Both inputs are transformer balanced and earth free
• Microphone input: gain +80dB to +20dB in 5dB steps
• Line input: input impedance 10k ohms, gain +20dB to –10dB in 5dB steps
• Dedicated input Gain controls and output Trim controls on both channels
• Designed and crafted in England by AMS Neve engineers