BeezNeez BU67

This is Ben's response to me about the tube. After reading this I did send him some pictures and still waiting to find out what tube he is using in mine. It also sounds like he has 3 different versions of this mic and design. His website makes it sound like his new old stock tube is all the rave. Then he tells me they changed the design for lower noise. Does this change the sound. I wouldn't know.



Hi Michael.


Thanks so much for reaching out to us.


Firstly about the power cable.  We don’t supply this as there are simply too many variants in use around the world.  We decided about 15 years ago that not supplying this meant one stock pile of microphones that can be shipped anywhere in the world rather than the 12 piles we had before that which were region specific.


Next the tube.  DOn’t worry, we weren’t trying to stiff you or mis represent.  The first batch of Bu67 Microphones which numbered in total just over 80 pieces, had 11 microphones that have the actual EF86 tube.  This was done as we needed to have some of these mics to have the exact signal chain as the original u67 to ensure that we didn’t stray from that sound during design and implementation.  


We also made one other design change from the gird leaving the top of the tube.  The specific variant that we are using has two models (both the same tube but model S is the grid leaving the top and model r is the grid leaving through the pin) we have decided to use Model r as the noise spec is a smidge lower and equates to a better overall result.


Both the Model r and the EF86 are indistinguishable form each other.  They both sound amazing.


If you send me a picture of the internal of your microphone, I will let you know whether yours is the Model r or the EF86 version.


Thanks and so sorry if this has caused any confusion.


Ben

Does it sound good? Like a U67?

Also gets high marks from Rob Schnapf and Manny Nieto.

Just got off the phone with Manny a half hour ago. (He's planning more sessions with it already)

Manny also loves Ben's 49 version.
Chris

If you look at a few post back you will see a picture of mine. It too looks like an ef86. Totally different than your ef86. It seems as if he is using random ef86 tubes. I told him he should change the description on his website. He is advertising as using a tube that the input comes in from the top. Similar to the ac701k. His website goes into detail how this tube is much better than the ef86 tube on the market today. I am waiting his response to an email. He asked me to send pictures as to verify if I have the ef86 or the other tube. Which he then said some were input from the top and others redesigned to go through the pin. I believe all the confusion comes from his information he has posted on his website. Thanks for the picture. If it is the ef86 at least we can easily replace them if they go bad.

It's an EF'n tube all right.
Chris

I will say the mic is built very nicely. I like the fact the body is made from solid brass. I also like the smaller form. The shock mount is very nice. I love the extra large thumb screw. It feels more substantial than most stock shock mounts. As far as the thumb screw goes. No worries of making sure the shock mount is tight enough. The power supply does not have a light but thats not a big deal. Pictures and videos on the web do not do the body and looks justice. It has a nice Matte finish but also has some metal flakes in the paint.

! would assume. 

I am waiting a reply from Ben.I looked up the cv5086 and it is the 1 that has the input on the top of the tube. My tube says cv2135. This might the revision of the same tube that has the input on the bottom like most tubes do. There is a little bit of confusion. I am just trying to figure this out if me or anyone else owns this mic and needs a replacement tube then we know what to look for. So to recap the cv5086 is the tube that has the input on the top. The cv2135 has the input on the bottom. neither of which shares the same pinout as the ef86.

Ok. So I got more clarification from Ben. The CV5086 sbs7 was the first tube he was using which has the input on the top of the tube. He then switched to the CV2135 sbr7 which is the same tube just the input is on the bottom of the tube. Neither one shares the same pin out as the EF86. he did say there are about 11 that has an ef86 and that the ones with the ef86 and the cv2135 sound identical. The good news is he has plenty of these tubes and if one goes bad we can easily get one from him.

Ben was very patient in answering all my questions. Now at least I know exactly what tube is in my particular mic. He also said this is the tube that he will be using hence forth in all the builds.

Curiosity got the better of me, got a second hand BU67 coming in.

They are slow for sure. I found its better to use the contact form on the website. I ordered mine on the 26th of August. It took them 7 days to send it out and that was after I used the contact form to ask where my tracking was or if the mic had been shipped. My mic finally shipped on the 2nd of September. I received it yesterday on the 8th. 

You also have to remember they are like 14 hours ahead of the USA. At least here on the east coast anyway. It's already 6am there. Use the contact form right about now. Then again they are probably closed on Saturday. 

Yeah once they sent it out it was here in no time considering it was coming from Austrailia. It just took them 7 days to send it out. As responding to OtisGreying's question yes they are slow to respond and slow to ship. Here in the states we are spoiled. Most of the time when I order something I have it in 2 days, 4 days tops. So yeah pretty impressed with the speed in which my mic arrived once it actually shipped.