The most expensive mic pre won't always necessarily be the strongest choice artistically. I've heard much less expensive preamps soar on vocals because it better suited the emotional content of the song. That being said...

As far as compared to the 1073N, in some ways, there is no comparison. The 1073N quite literally hums with its own brand of euphoric, tight, and gummy character. It's own energy field. Many pieces of gear have a sweet spot somewhere in their frequency range. The 1073N has a sweet spot that spans the entirety of its frequency range. Wide open. Full range, sweet musical resonance, while simultaneously, staying focused everywhere. It's fantastic, really.

Another rare and unique strength of the 1073N is that it somehow tames consonants and sibilance, on its own, seemingly just as a natural part of its inherent design/winding and components. Obviously, mic choice, placement, instrument and performance makes an important and essential impact. But this pre does some serious heavy lifting on its own. It's fantastic… really.

Coupled with a modified Dbx 160X and Aurora Audio GTC2 compression chain, I'm currently getting some of my favorite vocal performances from artists with a SM7B through the 1073N (no eq necessary) or an RE 20 through an Atlas Pro Audio Juggernaut Twin (with nickel input and iron output transformers engaged) ... So much nuanced and musical detail, without any staunch, harsh heat showing up across the frequency spectrum throughout the performance. It's heartening to hear.

The power supply is definitely underwhelming and not (IMO) of the same build quality as the 1073N itself. However, I will say, the unit does not sound power starved to me and it likely is one of the efforts to keep the cost of this unit in the below $ per channel range. I've heard this unit sounds "even better" when racked in a console. I'm currently looking at having a linear power supply made for it. Not cheap, but the 1073N sounds so exceptional, it feels like a museum piece that deserves a higher quality, more specialized power supply.

I've had less time with the eq, but it's strong. Unquestionably, it's of high quality build and it's able to boost in a fully musical way, no garbage around the signal boost. Just raw musicality. If Neve made a relatively less expensive version of this pre without an eq, I would pick one up in a heartbeat. The pre is just that good. But the eq is beautiful and outstanding. I look forward to getting to know it better.

Yes, the 1073N is mounted on a circuit board and contains

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Still has the Huge sound it always has. If you are a Neve user / fan the 1073 N will be un-noticed yet more portable.
If you are just getting into Neve units these are the absolute highest level you can go. Meaning nothing else is above this level. Also check out BAE units and grab as many as you can get. When it cones to the 1073 or 1084 having 6 or 8 is ideal but even if you had 10 or 12 the only issue would be scheduling conflicts at your Studio.

If you are in the box and use 2-input daw's get two 1073's and a Compressor like the EL8. Then you will notice far less mouse clicks and way more head banging.


Mouse clicking is for another industry - Neve Sound is the Music Industry

I have spent years and too much money buying clones. I finally stepped up and bought this and truly love it. I have read that the only mic pre that is better is the hand-wired version of this, however, this is so good I don't think it matters to me that you could get 5% increased quality. after studying all the options I came to the realization that the portability of this pre makes it the most practical choice, you get all the bells and whistles and can pack it up and take it anywhere.

Currently I use SSL (England), API 512c, Telefunken (vintage) and a chandler TG. This mic pre has a very special and unique character and weight that the others do not have. All of this is completely subjective, but as an engineer I do search for new tools and in the end this has proven to be a powerhouse tool. I use it for the mic pre, DI and to patch a real EQ in from OTB and boy does it deliver.

Every mic, guitar, bass and keyboard has it own favorite amp and preamp, it's useless it be precious about any of it and simply seek the best combo. If Daniel Lanois can use a Shure beta 58 to capture the vocals on Joshua Tree, anything if done right can work for all of this. I have found this unit to open worlds of possibilities and has become a MVP tool. Don't be afraid to invest in this, its worth it.

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