VP
Very good
I compare this preamp to those on a Focusrite Clarett 4pre which I also own and use in conjunction with this preamp.
After intensive tests I came to the conclusion that using this preamp instead of the Clarett preamps gives a clear sonic advantage without any doubt: the low-mid frequencies are much more powerful, the sound is richer and silkier, and in general the voice sounds much better.
I say this aware of the fact that the Clarett preamps are very good and I'm often tempted to use those instead of the Golden age, but in the end I always prefer the Golden age because it does something very good in the low-mid frequencies to the voice.
However, to get the most out of this preamp, some attention must be paid: first of all it is advisable to keep the output level at maximum, and adjust the volume with the gain knob, which is in 5 db steps, otherwise the sound becomes less pristine.
I also recommend not using the high pass and air switches, which seem to me to degrade the sound. Finally, connect the preamp to the Clarett using top quality cable.
Only if these conditions are met the sound of the Golden Age is superior to the (excellent) Clarett preamps, otherwise it would be preferable to use the Clarett preamps.
That's why I give only one star to "features", because filters and output control are better not used for the reasons I explained.
I also like the compactness of the preamp, I preferred it to its bigger brother for this reason and also because the 70 db gain is more than enough, I used a maximum of 55db of gain with an SM7b and never more than 40db with a Tlm 102.
It's also very quiet, not louder than the Clarett preamps which are dead quiet.
After intensive tests I came to the conclusion that using this preamp instead of the Clarett preamps gives a clear sonic advantage without any doubt: the low-mid frequencies are much more powerful, the sound is richer and silkier, and in general the voice sounds much better.
I say this aware of the fact that the Clarett preamps are very good and I'm often tempted to use those instead of the Golden age, but in the end I always prefer the Golden age because it does something very good in the low-mid frequencies to the voice.
However, to get the most out of this preamp, some attention must be paid: first of all it is advisable to keep the output level at maximum, and adjust the volume with the gain knob, which is in 5 db steps, otherwise the sound becomes less pristine.
I also recommend not using the high pass and air switches, which seem to me to degrade the sound. Finally, connect the preamp to the Clarett using top quality cable.
Only if these conditions are met the sound of the Golden Age is superior to the (excellent) Clarett preamps, otherwise it would be preferable to use the Clarett preamps.
That's why I give only one star to "features", because filters and output control are better not used for the reasons I explained.
I also like the compactness of the preamp, I preferred it to its bigger brother for this reason and also because the 70 db gain is more than enough, I used a maximum of 55db of gain with an SM7b and never more than 40db with a Tlm 102.
It's also very quiet, not louder than the Clarett preamps which are dead quiet.
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