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Black Lion Audio B173 mkII Microphone Preamp

Black Lion's take on the classic 1073, this half-rack mic preamp gives you 70 dB of warm gain with tons of British character, complete with a front-panel DI.

Black Lion Audio B173 mkII Microphone Preamp

$449.00
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    $56.13
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    6 x  
    $74.83
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    $112.25
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Black Lion Audio B173 Microphone Preamplifier

No longer available at zZounds
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Put some pro-level polish on your tracks with the B173, BLA's take on the Neve 1073 microphone preamp, with 80 dB of gain and tons of rich, creamy character.

Introducing Black Lion Audio's own Neve 1073-style microphone preamp, the B173! Don't let the price tag fool you. This is not only a serious contender for the most "bang for your buck" preamp in existence, but sonically stands on its own at any price point. Black Lion's goal was to capture the essence of the original Neve 1073 at a price anyone can afford, and they're proud to say that they've accomplished that goal! Give the B173 a try and be prepared to be blown away.

Watch out our exclusive overview of the Black Lion Audio B173 Microphone Preamplifier:


The B173 is Black Lion Audio's homage to the highly revered Neve 1073 mic pre. The B173 is a single channel mic pre-amp with input and output transformers, stepped gain, output level control, phantom power, and phase. It features a DI, 80dB of gain, and is housed in a 1U, 1/2 rack chassis.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 773-549-1885

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (4 ratings)
Submitted March 5, 2016 by a customer from verizon.net

"Very Impressed!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
After reading some hoopla about it being "noisy", I was a little skeptical..But the tracks people were posting sounded beautiful! I picked this over the Golden Age and never looked back. It sounds a LOT more expensive than it is. The instructions say to let it warm up for a few minutes, but I`ve found after using it, around an hour and it`s gets even better. I`m using it into an Antelope Zen for the vocal channel. Incredible combo. The B173 sounds twice the price.
Sound
Let it warm up. I`ll turn it on and go do something else for a while.
Features
I actually LIKE the stepped gain. Makes recalling a breeze, and the way the steps are set are just right.
Ease of Use
You just need to work the line level of your interface with the output of the B173.
Quality
Built like a brick. Heavier than expected.
Value
It is pricier than items like the GAP, but well worth it. This unit really sounds professional.
Manufacturer Support
No problems yet.
The Wow Factor
The sound(in combination with Antelope converters), is extremely professional sounding. Ready for the radio.

Musical Background:

30 years, songwriter/engineer

Musical Style:

Adult Contemporary and Pop
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No longer available at zZounds