ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jun 29, 2022 13:59:45 GMT -6
Certainly possible. But IME, unlikely. Is there another tube that can 1:1 replace the AC701k? Maybe there is. I have yet to hear of significant success stories with that in mind, and I think that would have surfaced on the horizon if there was. There are a ton of 54's, 269's, 49's, 50's that need re-tubing. One would think that if there were a direct replacement, that they would be getting some interest. I have not heard of it. But again, I don't know all on the tube fronts. To the best of my knowledge, Klaus replaces AC701's with.....guess what?  I agree that "why hasn't this been done before?" is a reasonable question to ask in regards to skepticism about all of this. I still am skeptical. However, my skepticism got turned down by a not unappreciable amount when I read that quote from Klaus. I think I'd trust that guy over maybe just about anybody when it comes to this stuff. If he's saying what he said, I'm willing to listen in ways that I might not if it was just Neumann throwing some marketing speak out there about how they've found a 1:1 replacement. The problem that Neumann will have is that, even if they do achieve a 1:1 replacement for the AC701, they'll be putting it in a brand new mic, which introduces additional variables which will make it nearly impossible to satisfy any detractors. The real test would be to replace the tube in an old mic with a new and provide before and after tests. Even that, though, would invite gotchas like "the mic was in a slightly different location than before" or "it was a different performance" or whatever. I'm still interested though. One very important point here, since we don’t know the tube we don’t what other changes might be needed, now who is going to offer up their $12k vintage 49 to have what ever other circuit changes are needed. ? Yeah it could be a drop in replacement, but until we know. Speculation is useless. I will add this though Neumann knows their legacy and would not put the original model on something that wasn’t as close as they could get. If it wasn’t 99.99% it would be the 349, not the M49v. The folks at Sennheiser know the value of the Neumann brand. Still with the prices these days even as a 49 fan boy kind of wish they had done the KM84 instead. |
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Post by aremos on Jun 29, 2022 14:03:55 GMT -6
To Ward, DrBill & the rest: Guess it'll all boil down to when we actually listen to it. So, as of now we really can't state anything with conviction. But I'm willing to have an open mind about it, specially with Klaus's involvement. Let's see (hear) ... plus it's been fun talking about something that was unobtainable (unobtainium) 2 years ago?
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Post by EmRR on Jun 29, 2022 14:11:19 GMT -6
Yeah only a time machine will do for some. In vintage hi-fi world, only the very first issue of any tube type is the best, it's a given assumption that any later variants fuck it up...and I mean the 1952 12AX7's suck compared to the 1948 ones, etc etc. It's about owning wine from 1752 that came up from a shipwreck, or something.
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Post by Quint on Jun 29, 2022 14:22:09 GMT -6
Yeah only a time machine will do for some. In vintage hi-fi world, only the very first issue of any tube type is the best, it's a given assumption that any later variants fuck it up. It's about owning wine from 1752 that came up from a shipwreck, or something. Yeah, as much as I like the idea of some of these vintage mics of yore, I don't like the idea of the maintenance associated with them and I definitely can't deal with the price, especially when there are some great modern clones (and even reissues now) for a much cheaper price. I get the cork sniffing thing to a point but, if someone like Klaus is going to go out on a limb and say that he believes that Neumann has gotten the AC701 thing figured out to his satisfaction, that's probably (certainly?) enough to satisfy me and my champagne dreams and beer budget-ish reality. |
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Post by Ward on Jun 29, 2022 15:48:45 GMT -6
To Ward, DrBill & the rest: Guess it'll all boil down to when we actually listen to it. So, as of now we really can't state anything with conviction. But I'm willing to have an open mind about it, specially with Klaus's involvement. Let's see (hear) ... plus it's been fun talking about something that was unobtainable (unobtainium) 2 years ago? I feel what you're saying. But OTOH, Neumann/Sennheiser went through incredible pains the make the U67 reissue a continuation of where it left off, and it shines like a diamond. Some people LOVE Klaus's mods to it as well. Either way, it honors the heritage and really does it justice. There certainly are enough AC701s out there to make a limited run of a reissue that would be as near identical as possible to the magical original. But with something as significant as the absence of an AC701K, I'm just not nearly as eager to invest in this. Remember 'The Tube' and the C12VR? Never quite measured up to AKG's original C12. And Neumann also has the M149 and TLM49. If they're going to reissue one of the greatest microphones of all time, it would make sense to go the distance and really make it another diamond that shines. (Please note the references to any clones or other microphone manufacturers' tribute mics that could skew the conversation. The AKG reference is a parallel.) |
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 29, 2022 16:39:52 GMT -6
To Ward, DrBill & the rest: Guess it'll all boil down to when we actually listen to it. So, as of now we really can't state anything with conviction. But I'm willing to have an open mind about it, specially with Klaus's involvement. Let's see (hear) ... plus it's been fun talking about something that was unobtainable (unobtainium) 2 years ago? There are some clips on the first page of this thread, although they are not a comparison. Just an FYI. |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,098
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Post by ericn on Jun 29, 2022 17:11:06 GMT -6
To Ward, DrBill & the rest: Guess it'll all boil down to when we actually listen to it. So, as of now we really can't state anything with conviction. But I'm willing to have an open mind about it, specially with Klaus's involvement. Let's see (hear) ... plus it's been fun talking about something that was unobtainable (unobtainium) 2 years ago? I feel what you're saying. But OTOH, Neumann/Sennheiser went through incredible pains the make the U67 reissue a continuation of where it left off, and it shines like a diamond. Some people LOVE Klaus's mods to it as well. Either way, it honors the heritage and really does it justice. There certainly are enough AC701s out there to make a limited run of a reissue that would be as near identical as possible to the magical original. But with something as significant as the absence of an AC701K, I'm just not nearly as eager to invest in this. Remember 'The Tube' and the C12VR? Never quite measured up to AKG's original C12. And Neumann also has the M149 and TLM49. If they're going to reissue one of the greatest microphones of all time, it would make sense to go the distance and really make it another diamond that shines. (Please note the references to any clones or other microphone manufacturers' tribute mics that could skew the conversation. The AKG reference is a parallel.) You also have to throw in the 3 revisions ( some have their favorite) and the originals with M7’s. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,098
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Post by ericn on Jun 29, 2022 17:12:42 GMT -6
Yeah only a time machine will do for some. In vintage hi-fi world, only the very first issue of any tube type is the best, it's a given assumption that any later variants fuck it up...and I mean the 1952 12AX7's suck compared to the 1948 ones, etc etc. It's about owning wine from 1752 that came up from a shipwreck, or something. Hey I’ll take those Marantz 9’s off your hands if you just can’t live without the original tubes! 🥸 |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 29, 2022 19:34:21 GMT -6
I feel what you're saying. But OTOH, Neumann/Sennheiser went through incredible pains the make the U67 reissue a continuation of where it left off, and it shines like a diamond. Some people LOVE Klaus's mods to it as well. Either way, it honors the heritage and really does it justice. There certainly are enough AC701s out there to make a limited run of a reissue that would be as near identical as possible to the magical original. But with something as significant as the absence of an AC701K, I'm just not nearly as eager to invest in this. Remember 'The Tube' and the C12VR? Never quite measured up to AKG's original C12. And Neumann also has the M149 and TLM49. If they're going to reissue one of the greatest microphones of all time, it would make sense to go the distance and really make it another diamond that shines. (Please note the references to any clones or other microphone manufacturers' tribute mics that could skew the conversation. The AKG reference is a parallel.) You also have to throw in the 3 revisions ( some have their favorite) and the originals with M7’s. What's usually preferred. Original or extra crispy?  Chris |
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Post by Omicron9 on Jun 30, 2022 10:59:33 GMT -6
Yeah only a time machine will do for some. In vintage hi-fi world, only the very first issue of any tube type is the best, it's a given assumption that any later variants fuck it up...and I mean the 1952 12AX7's suck compared to the 1948 ones, etc etc. It's about owning wine from 1752 that came up from a shipwreck, or something. The 12AX7s from 1752 are the ones to have. -09 |
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klaus
New Member
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Post by klaus on Jun 30, 2022 11:04:51 GMT -6
So it seems there is still some confusion about whether the switches will be able to be adjusted by users.
The information my dealer just received from the Sennheiser/Neumann rep was that they have to specify on the order if I want it with the the HPF bypassed and Cardiod-only option, "as these options cannot be changed by the customer".
Let me try again to dispel the confusion:
Only if the buyer requests different positions of the switches than the standard setting at the factory (see details in my earlier post) would that need to be communicated at time of order. The switches will be adjustable by the user, regardless of the initial setting.
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Post by sean on Jun 30, 2022 12:18:22 GMT -6
Does anyone know the price?
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Post by Chad on Jun 30, 2022 12:29:18 GMT -6
Does anyone know the price? If Bob Barker ask me that question, my guess would be $9,495. |
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 30, 2022 13:17:49 GMT -6
Does anyone know the price? $8,499. It was mentioned in an earlier post. |
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Post by aremos on Jun 30, 2022 14:05:51 GMT -6
Propaganda & marketing work - kudos to Sennheiser: 1) the "leaks" & having people on these forums build up the excitement 2) the "rumors" of it first being limited & then almost unobtainable (think it'll be available as was the U67) 3) allowing people to know that Klaus is involved All brilliant & it's even peaked my interest & desire. And, as stated, very willing to give it a try. It definitely has to be superior to FleA, Horch, Lucas, Wunder & all the clones that get somewhere close but fall short. (Guess this can't be called a clone & is the 3rd REV - Hiller was the 1st tube & there've been the b,c,d revs?) |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 30, 2022 16:14:18 GMT -6
Agree with all except neccesarily "superior"...
I actually somewhat prefer the Heiserman version of the Neumann 47FET, after directly singing/trying each of them.
Right next to each other.
IMHO personal taste is still an important factor. Particularly at this high level.
Chris
P.S. Even if the Neumann 47FET capsule had a tension/capsule issue... I doubt the score would be less than a dead heat.
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ji43
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by ji43 on Jul 1, 2022 5:03:46 GMT -6
Agree with all except neccesarily "superior"... I actually somewhat prefer the Heiserman version of the Neumann 47FET, after directly singing/trying each of them. Right next to each other. IMHO personal taste is still an important factor. Particularly at this high level. Chris P.S. Even if the Neumann 47FET capsule had a tension/capsule issue... I doubt the score would be less than a dead heat. 47FET doesn't have a tension.capsule issue from what I've read from Klaus, it's identical in sound to the vintage, without any modifications. |
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Post by EmRR on Jul 1, 2022 10:45:00 GMT -6
I love Sennheiser. They make amazing mics, and saved Neumann from possible dissolution. I mean, coulda been Harman….
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,098
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Post by ericn on Jul 1, 2022 11:13:43 GMT -6
I love Sennheiser. They make amazing mics, and saved Neumann from possible dissolution. I mean, coulda been Harman…. I’ll see your Harmen, and raise you; it Could have been Behringer! |
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Post by chessparov on Jul 1, 2022 12:08:01 GMT -6
Agree with all except neccesarily "superior"... I actually somewhat prefer the Heiserman version of the Neumann 47FET, after directly singing/trying each of them. Right next to each other. IMHO personal taste is still an important factor. Particularly at this high level. Chris P.S. Even if the Neumann 47FET capsule had a tension/capsule issue... I doubt the score would be less than a dead heat. 47FET doesn't have a tension.capsule issue from what I've read from Klaus, it's identical in sound to the vintage, without any modifications. Interesting. Thanks! Chris |
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Post by Ward on Jul 1, 2022 14:46:06 GMT -6
I love Sennheiser. They make amazing mics, and saved Neumann from possible dissolution. I mean, coulda been Harman…. I’ll see your Harmen, and raise you; it Could have been Behringer! I really hoped it was going to be Neumann-Gefell. To truly reunify the company. But I'm a dreamer! |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jul 1, 2022 16:39:37 GMT -6
I’ll see your Harmen, and raise you; it Could have been Behringer! I really hoped it was going to be Neumann-Gefell. To truly reunify the company. But I'm a dreamer! We all did, but at that time buying Neumann would have crippled Gefell. If you haven’t noticed every time someone buys someone else in this industry they don’t know how to pay for it, and we say great companies crippled. Also another reason to love Quested, Roger was the first to ever buy a company back from Harmen, after they bought AKG, BSS DBX Quested and Turbosound TAC were all owned by AKG, now any of those companies doing “better”? |
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Post by Chad on Jul 18, 2022 12:22:21 GMT -6
Getting closer to August.
Tick tock.
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Post by evangelista on Jul 18, 2022 15:01:37 GMT -6
Getting closer to August. Tick tock. Is there a member of this forum who is on the list to get one? |
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Post by aremos on Jul 18, 2022 15:22:47 GMT -6
Don't know if there's a "list" per se but I ordered one through my dealer.
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