Heritage Audio’s HA-81A Two Classic Console´s Circuits
European pro audio manufacturer Heritage Audio is proud to announce the availability of the HA-81A — a British-spec hybrid channel strip representing the latest addition to its ELITE SERIES range of zero-compromise, high- quality yet affordable alternatives to entry-level brands as an all-new mix of two classic consoles, combining an all-discrete, Class-A 73-style mic preamp with an acclaimed 81-style equalizer, arguably the most in-demand products for any recording engineer endeavoring to create an instantly classic sound.
Creatively combining hybrid design with Heritage (Audio) quality as an ALL-CLASS A CONSOLE MIC AMP/EQUALIZER — DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED IN THE E.U., as also boldly blazoned across the front panel of its 1U rack-mountable classy chassis, the HA-81A utilises only rotary switches and precision, concentric potentiometers. Products in Heritage Audio’s acclaimed ELITE SERIES range are all built with the most cutting-edge design and manufacturing methods, without ever compromising audio quality or cutting corners — all at the European pro audio manufacturer’s Spanish headquarters, as is the case with the HA-81A.
Digging deeper, the HA-81A’s preamp section is an 80 dB, all-discrete Class-A design with Carnhill and St. Ives input and output transformers — the exact ones, in fact, found in Heritage Audio’s other ELITE SERIES products. Put simply: it is Heritage Audio’s top-notch take on an acclaimed 73-style preamplifier, including input gain (switches in 5 dB steps from 0 to 80), OUTPUT trim (attenuates from 0 to -00 — infinity), -20 dB PAD (ahead of the input transformer), and +48v phantom power.
- Microphone input impedance: HI, 1200 Ohm minimum, LO, 300 Ohm minimum. Higher gain positions gradually have greater impedances, optimum for low gain ribbon mics. Input is transformer balanced and floating.
- Line input impedance: 10KOhms bridging, transformer balanced and floating.
- Output impedance: Less than 75 Ohms, transformer balanced and floating, to drive a load of 600 Ohms.
- Maximum output: Greater than +26.5dBu into 600 Ohms (internally terminated)
- THD: Less than 0.025% at 1Khz, Less than 0.05% at 100Hz.
- Frequency response :20Hz (+0.3dB) to 20Khz (-0.2dB).EQ Off. For EQ ON frequency response please check the features section.
- Maximum Gain: Slightly greater than 80dB.
- Equivalent Input Noise: Less than -125dBu at 80dB mic gain.
- Output stage noise: Less than -100dBu.
Meanwhile, moving on to the HA-81A’s equalizer section, it is an exceptionally musical four-band, inductor-based affair whose high- and low-pass filters (each with five frequency positions) are far from wanting. Whereas the typical 73-style three-band equalizers exceed at musicality but may fall short of the mark from a features perspective, the HA-81A equally excels at both by offering extreme (five frequency-position) control over shelf or bell response curves on the high and lows, and dual Q on both mid bands with dedicated high and low mid ones (each with 10 frequency positions) — a choice of 40 frequency selections overall.
On the face of it, then, as a mic preamp that meets the discerning demands of classic sound-seeking recording engineers, the HA-81A lives up to Heritage Audio’s manufacturing mantra: The sound of yesterday — built for tomorrow.
About Heritage Audio
Heritage Audio was founded in 2011 by Peter Rodriguez a Sound Engineer and Musical Producer with vast experience in the Music Industry. Heritage Audio’s mission is to bring back the Golden Age of Recording and adapting it to the 21st Century Studios.
Pricing and Availability
The HA-81A is shipping and available now via RAD Distribution in the US with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $1,099.00 USD — and elsewhere via Heritage Audio’s growing global network of dealers.
