Introducing the Neve 1073SPX

In the world of recording studios, few pieces of gear are as iconic and respected as the Neve 1073 preamp. First made in the early 1970s, this legendary preamp has been used on countless classic recordings and has become a standard in top studios around the world.

The 1073’s unique sound and character have made it highly sought-after, with original units selling for very high prices on the used market. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in modern recreations of the 1073, aiming to capture its magic in a more affordable and reliable package.

One such recreation is the Neve 1073SPX (click here to see current price), a faithful reproduction of the classic 1073 circuit with some modern improvements. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the 1073SPX, looking at its history, design, sound, and how it compares to the original 1073 and other modern clones.

History and Background

The story of the 1073SPX starts with the original Neve 1073, a modular microphone preamp and equalizer designed by Rupert Neve in the early 1970s. The 1073 was originally part of Neve’s 80 series consoles, used in many of the world’s top studios throughout the 1970s and beyond.

The preamp section was known for its rich, warm, and slightly colored sound, while the equalizer section offered simple but effective tone shaping. What made the 1073 unique was its Class-A transistor design, the use of custom-made Marinair transformers, and Neve’s clever circuit design.

These parts, along with Neve’s design, resulted in a preamp with a distinct character that seemed to make everything sound better: vocals sounded fuller and more present, drums had more punch and clarity, and guitars and basses sounded thick and powerful.

As studios began moving away from large consoles to smaller, modular setups, demand for standalone 1073 modules grew. However, Neve made only a limited number of these modules, making them expensive and hard to find. This scarcity, combined with the 1073’s legendary status, has driven up prices for original units, with some selling for tens of thousands of dollars on the used market. As a result, several companies have tried to recreate the 1073 in a more affordable and readily available form.

The 1073SPX Recreation

The 1073SPX is a modern recreation of the classic Neve 1073 preamp, designed and built by AMS Neve, the company founded by Rupert Neve himself. The goal was to create a preamp as close to the original 1073 as possible while adding a few modern touches to improve usability and reliability.

The 1073SPX shares similarities with the original 1073, such as the same cream-colored faceplate, red Marconi-style knobs, and simple control layout. However, it also features key differences, including a new custom output transformer designed for a slightly cleaner and more open sound, modern high-quality parts throughout, and the addition of a switchable impedance control on the microphone input, allowing users to match the preamp’s input impedance to their microphone for best performance.

The 1073SPX is available in several different configurations, including single and dual-channel rackmount units, as well as 500-series modules for use in lunchbox-style racks. Prices range from around $1,300 for a single 500-series module to $3,500 for a dual-channel rackmount unit, making it a more realistic option for many studios and producers compared to the original 1073.

Build Quality and Design

Upon unboxing the 1073SPX, you’ll notice its substantial weight, indicating its solid construction. The attention to detail in the construction is clear, with clean, precise lettering on the faceplate and a smooth, positive feel to all the controls.

The 1073SPX features Marconi-style knobs that copy the look and feel of the original 1073, sturdy switches for the impedance control and EQ bypass, balanced XLR inputs and outputs, a switchable 1/4″ DI input for direct recording of instruments, and an external power supply to minimize noise.

One potential criticism of the 1073SPX’s design is its cramped control layout, with knobs close together, making precise adjustments a bit tricky. However, this is a common issue with 1073-style preamps due to their compact design, and most users will quickly get used to it.

Internal Components and Circuitry

Under the hood, the 1073SPX stays true to the original design, featuring a Class-A transistor design in the preamp section, a custom-wound input transformer designed to closely match the performance of the original Neve transformers, and a new custom output transformer for a slightly cleaner and more transparent sound.

The equalizer section is a faithful recreation of the original 1073 EQ, with three fixed frequency bands and a high-pass filter, and a passive design using high-quality inductors and capacitors. Throughout the 1073SPX, AMS Neve has used high-quality, modern parts, such as gold-plated PCBs for improved conductivity and resistance to corrosion, and high-precision, low-noise resistors and capacitors.

According to AMS Neve’s published specifications, the 1073SPX has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, a maximum gain of 80dB, an equivalent input noise (EIN) of -125dBu, and a maximum input level of +26dBu.

Preamp Performance

The 1073SPX’s sound is impressive, with a richness and depth that is immediately apparent. It adds weight and substance to everything passing through it without sounding muddy or overly colored.

On vocals, the 1073SPX provides a forward, present sound with a smooth top end, adds a slight sheen that helps vocals cut through a mix, and gives male vocals a sense of authority and power with its full and robust low end. Instrumental sources also benefit from the 1073SPX’s character, with acoustic guitars sounding warm and woody, electric guitars benefiting from a slight midrange push, and drums taking on a larger-than-life quality with a solid, punchy low end and crisp, detailed top.

The 1073SPX handles hot signal levels without distortion, maintaining its composure with a smooth, gradual transition into saturation. This allows for creative use of the preamp as a tone-shaping tool, adding grit and character to a sound without things getting messy or out of control.

Compared to other preamps in its class, the 1073SPX holds its own. It has a similar richness and weight to other Neve-style preamps but with a slightly more open and detailed top end, perhaps due to its custom output transformer. It’s also a bit more forgiving than some other Neve-style preamps, which can be harsh or aggressive when pushed hard.

EQ Performance

The equalizer section of the 1073SPX is a powerfully musical tool for shaping the tone of a source. The low frequency band is fixed at 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, or 220Hz, with up to 15dB of boost or cut, and is effective for adding weight and substance or taming excessive low end.

The midrange band is switchable between 0.36kHz, 0.7kHz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, and 7.2kHz, with up to 18dB of boost or cut, and is useful for bringing out clarity and presence in vocals or adding bite and articulation to guitars and other midrange-heavy sources. The high frequency band is fixed at 12kHz, with up to 15dB of boost or cut, and is great for adding air and sparkle or taming harsh, sibilant high frequencies.

The 1073SPX’s EQ is musical and forgiving, with even extreme boost or cut settings sounding natural and pleasing. The well-chosen EQ points cover most of the frequencies you’d want to adjust in a mix, making it easy to dial in a sound quickly without getting bogged down in small adjustments.

Potential Criticisms and Shortcomings

While there is much to love about the 1073SPX, it’s not without its potential drawbacks. The price, although more affordable than an original Neve 1073, is still a significant investment that may be hard to justify for some home and project studios.

As a faithful recreation of a vintage design, the 1073SPX lacks some modern conveniences such as a pad switch, polarity reverse switch, and built-in metering. Like any analog gear, there may be slight variations between individual units, and the 1073SPX requires some experience and skill to get the most out of it, particularly in terms of gain staging and signal levels.

Comparison to Other 1073 Recreations

The 1073SPX is not the only modern recreation of the classic Neve 1073 on the market. Other notable options include the Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, which offers a similar preamp and EQ design but with added features like a DI input and output transformer options, and the BAE 1073MPL, a high-end clone built in the US with custom transformers and a hand-wired circuit.

For those on a tighter budget, the Warm Audio WA1073 is a popular alternative that captures much of the character of the original 1073 at a more affordable price point. While it may not have quite the same level of authenticity and build quality as the 1073SPX or other high-end clones, the WA1073 delivers impressive performance and value, making it a great option for home studios and budget-conscious producers.

In comparison to these other options, the 1073SPX stands out for its authentic Neve heritage and its relatively affordable price point. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some of its competitors, it delivers the core sound and functionality of the original 1073 in a reliable, well-built package.

Neve 1073SPX: Final Thoughts

The Neve 1073SPX is a triumphant modern take on a studio legend, faithfully capturing the essence of the original 1073 preamp while adding a few well-chosen updates for improved reliability and ease of use. For recording engineers and producers looking to invest in a high-quality preamp with a classic British sound, the 1073SPX is a top choice.

While it may not be the right fit for every studio or budget, the 1073SPX delivers undeniable quality and character. Its rich, warm sound and versatile EQ make it a powerful tool for shaping vocals, instruments, and full mixes, while its solid build and authentic Neve design ensure years of reliable performance.

If you’re seeking the unmistakable sound of a classic Neve preamp in a modern, accessible package, the 1073SPX is a compelling option. With its balanced blend of vintage character and contemporary usability, it’s an investment that is sure to elevate your recordings and inspire your creativity.

Ready to experience the legendary sound of the Neve 1073 for yourself? (see current price).