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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 4, 2015 23:52:54 GMT -6
I built it PTP according to a schematic - first time ever tried a PTP and thought I followed everything quite well. The PSU was a 3rd party vendor's offering, quite good, and quiet. Based on an EF12 circuit designed by AG.
I also used high meg resistors by Ohmcraft, shinkoh where I could find/fit it, and a Vishay bulk foil. I'm not immune to audiophoolery.
On powerup, she worked "OK" but then I noticed something disturbing...she wouldn't take moderate to high SPL's at all, offering a buzzing or almost kazoo-like sound, even below clipping. Uh oh.
After much mucking about, replacing components, redoing the High-Z section, changing the bias voltage, and many conversations at GDIY and with the man, Andreas Grosser, AND after mucking up my capsule and damaging the rear with an errant fingernail scratch, I finally asked for help. Mr. Grosser offered to upgrade the whole shooting match to conform to using a 105V supply and also his VF14EF substitube. (get it? tee hee!).
Anyways, I shipped her off to Germany last week, for a whopping $180 bucks. I had to ship the Mic, the PSU, and the cable. I'm fairly excited, especially to have the VF14EF as well as the original circuitry for the mic. It's a FleA body so she wasn't cheap!
I'll share results here when I get her back. Hopefully with something exciting to share!
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 8, 2015 8:13:24 GMT -6
Yeah - share a pic. Always heard fantastic things about Grosser.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 8, 2015 9:13:27 GMT -6
hey wait,, I thought I was the master uber 47 diy screw up; have you taken my crown ?  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2015 9:40:38 GMT -6
I dropped an ugly fingerprint on a Dale Ulan M7 i waited ~2 yrs. for. (2nd batch)
It's so easy to damage something.
In my case i was nervous and got distracted for a second by the phone ringing... Dang.
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 8, 2015 23:41:53 GMT -6
I was so carefully watching my hands in front i didn't think about the back of the capsule my finger slipped into - didn't even feel it! I had to give myself permission a long time ago to F things up...I literally had this clone in parts for 3-4 years but was too afraid to screw it up. Well, I did! But whatever was actually wrong with it, I don't know! I'll keep you guys up to date once I get more news. I'm really excited about this anyway. So it's not all DIY; yeah I got a savior! Funny thing is, when I first decided to make this clone, I had spoken with Andreas. I wanted to buy his VF14EF "tube" for the clone. He said he didn't sell them separately, then sold me on the idea of using an EF12K circuit with a schematic he supplied. He said a properly operating tube would give an amazing microphone, so don't worry so much about not having a real VF14 (surely there's wisdom here!). Funny how our intentions have a funny way of circuitously showing up, innit? I'm ready to pass the screwup crown onto the next poor schmuck. Any takers? |
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 8, 2015 23:48:09 GMT -6
BTW I just read a post by Oliver at the Neumann forum wherein he said the internals of a UF14, EF14 and VF14 are identical save for filament. Quoting him: '"The VF14 is identicle to the EF14 and UF14 with a different fillament current. There is also the VF15 the remote cutoff version of the VF14 and connected as a triode it works great. Only problem the pin connection is a bit different so you have to change the socket..." From www.neumann.com/forums/view.php?bn=neumann_archive&key=974359437&v=fMan, I never met the guy, but what a loss!!! |
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 8, 2015 23:53:57 GMT -6
Yeah - share a pic. Always heard fantastic things about Grosser. You know what? He's a real gentleman! I mean, old-school kind, trusting, and all-around great guy! He's even sent me some parts for free, even though I offered to pay for them. He said he would send me both a VF14EF and a VF14ER, and just send him back the one I don't want. I'll probably keep both for future clones. FYI the EF is his FET circuit, and the ER is his glass tube version. I hear amazing things about both of them. I'm certain there is "something" to the myth (legend?) that only a real VF14 will make a U47 sound right, but I'm also certain there's something to be said for a substitube (get it? tee hee!) operating at correct voltage/bias can still sound amazing... Or at least that's what I tell myself. I could get a real VF14, but I'm just not sure it's worth the cash. What do you guys think? |
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Post by unit7 on Oct 9, 2015 1:39:56 GMT -6
I think when you reach a certain level of quality you could stop thinking about the gear and more about the music. In this case I think you can count on it that the mic will be that good. When it comes to Neumann mics Andreas knows his stuff. I have 10+ mics here that he serviced and the Voxorama U47. Lovely tools. But again *they* don't create the magic, the music and performers do. In my not anymore so very humble opinion :-)
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 10, 2015 10:59:26 GMT -6
I think when you reach a certain level of quality you could stop thinking about the gear and more about the music. In this case I think you can count on it that the mic will be that good. When it comes to Neumann mics Andreas knows his stuff. I have 10+ mics here that he serviced and the Voxorama U47. Lovely tools. But again *they* don't create the magic, the music and performers do. In my not anymore so very humble opinion :-) Point taken. Gear lust takes on a life of its own, and can eclipse the music making itself. But I still have a passion for great gear!  |
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Post by levon on Oct 12, 2015 23:43:59 GMT -6
I have Andreas Grosser's U47 with his FET 'tube'. When I visited him, he showed me both versions and even though I was desperate to get a real tube, man, that FET thing sounded just as good but without the noise. In the end, he let me go home with a brandnew high-end microphone without even paying for it, he said it's okay to send the money via bank transfer when I got home. What a guy, he didn't even know me at the time. But it was my birthday |
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 13, 2015 0:02:39 GMT -6
Yeah, Andreas is the greatest gentleman ever! He inspires people to be good, just by being so incredibly awesome himself. As someone in another forum said, we need to protect people like this...So glad you had a great experience with him! Can't wait to get my microphone back from him too!
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Post by levon on Oct 13, 2015 1:00:20 GMT -6
I have since dealt with him more and have a few more mics he serviced. I can't say enough good things about Andreas.
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Post by phrazemaster on Oct 13, 2015 9:55:09 GMT -6
He takes the time to talk on the phone with total compleat newbie morons like me, about microphones. He's sent me free parts. He hand-held me through understanding some things that I now regard as simple. He's the real deal. I hope he makes a lot of money! |
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Post by Guitar on Nov 21, 2015 17:14:17 GMT -6
Yes post some pictures and sound files when you get it back!
I've never damaged a capsule yet...touch wood. I'm planning a sort of 251 as my next DIY. A U47 is on the longer list, as I already have a decent Peluso.
I think the microphone is the most important tool for recording live music. As I have learned, almost everything else is secondary. Other than your taste and skills of course.
You gotta have good mics!
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Post by phrazemaster on Nov 22, 2015 0:32:20 GMT -6
Hey all, just a quick shout to say I'm still waiting on the microphone from Andreas. I will post back here when it's complete. He actually sent me a message about a week ago that it was just about done, so it should be soon.
Peace
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Post by yotonic on Nov 22, 2015 1:16:58 GMT -6
I had a Voxorama 47 with M7 capsule, wish I had never sold it. It was an awesome mic.
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Post by chasmanian on Nov 29, 2015 10:00:23 GMT -6
Andreas is truly a good and kind man.
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