Warm Audio’s latest release delivers a meticulous recreation of the preamp circuitry employed by the Sound Techniques A-Range, a British-made console that helped to shape the sound of records by The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac, The Who and The Rolling Stones. 

Developed in collaboration with Sound Techniques themselves, the Jude Microphone Preamp series includes two units, the single-channel Jude-MP and the dual-channel Jude-MP2. Their design is based on original schematics created by one of the console’s designers, Geoff Frost, and the series’ name was chosen thanks to the original A-Range console’s use on The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’.

Warm Audio worked closely alongside the Sound Techniques team, who specified every detail of the Jude's design to ensure that the new arrivals meet the exact standards set by the original consoles. The preamps feature a carefully hand-wired PCB layout and employ premium components throughout — Wima and Nichicon audio-grade capacitors are joined by carbon resistors, custom-spec CineMag USA transformers and dual-discrete 3035 Class-A amplifiers.

One of the standout features of the design is the Z-Match control, which offers nine switchable input impedances that Warm Audio say can help to extract distinctly different tones from the same microphone; how dramatic the change is will of course be dependent on the mic’s own design — dynamic mics and those with output transformers tend to be the most responsive to input impedance changes. 

"For decades, the Sound Techniques preamp was something only a handful of engineers ever had the opportunity to experience. We were ready to change that, but only if we found the right partner. Warm Audio demonstrated they had the engineering expertise, manufacturing capability and commitment to source every premium component and faithfully execute every aspect of the original design. They understood that preserving the character of these preamps isn't about simply copying a schematic; it's about opening up a piece of recording history to the wider world. That meant getting every detail right, from component selection and manufacturing consistency to the rigorous testing of every unit. Together, we're committed to preserving the performance, character and legacy that helped shape so much of the music we love.” — Danny White, Owner, Sound Techniques

As with all Warm Audio products, each Jude preamp is 100% hand-tested and inspected by Warm Audio technicians in Austin, TX, and comes with the industry-leading 5-year warranty.

The Jude-MP and Jude-MP2 are both available now, priced at $749£699 and $1399£1349 respectively. Prices include VAT.

warmaudio.com/sound-techniques-jude-preamp