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Post by iamasound on May 9, 2019 16:00:40 GMT -6
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Post by brenta on May 10, 2019 9:12:38 GMT -6
It's pretty cool that Zen Pro is offering these mods.
The WA87 with the AMI transformer sounds way better than stock. It transforms it (no pun intended) from a meh microphone into a really good microphone.
The WA47 with the Neumann capsule sounds a bit richer and clearer.
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Post by Vincent R. on May 10, 2019 17:34:17 GMT -6
Hmmm.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 10, 2019 17:53:54 GMT -6
For the price of the 87 I’ll buy a used Ai and have somebody mod it!
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Post by chessparov on May 10, 2019 18:38:58 GMT -6
Within Neumann, Used U89, or TLM67, at around $1600. My "logical" mind tells me U89 to be preferred, but TLM67 was quite impressive too.
Honestly, I'd rather have either one of those, vs. a modded Warm. In any event, Warren is a terrific guy, at Zen.
Chris
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Post by timcampbell on May 11, 2019 5:20:40 GMT -6
I wonder how long Neumann will let this continue. They're not happy about their capsule being used for anything but repair of their product.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,918
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Post by ericn on May 11, 2019 6:48:22 GMT -6
I wonder how long Neumann will let this continue. They're not happy about their capsule being used for anything but repair of their product. Yeah, others have done it but nobody was brave/ stupid enough to advertise. The following will occur Zen will at some point receive a call from their Sennhieser Rep that will go like this “ take it down immediately your in violation of your dealer agreement.” Zen will then say sorry it was a mistake... the rep will remind them we are being nice we could simply pull the line right now. The fear has always been the Neumann would take a page from the current API opamp policy and require you send in an old capsule to get a new one. Dealers have and always will push the limits of what they can do and advertise and manufacturers will always respond accordingly. It always sucks to be the good guy when somebody else makes the system more difficult by breaking the rules. What sucks more is explaining to customers why you have to run an obstacle course and know the secret hand shake just to fix his mic. |
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Post by brenta on May 11, 2019 8:58:05 GMT -6
For the price of the 87 I’ll buy a used Ai and have somebody mod it! Haha, well the WA87 with the Zen Pro AMI transformer mod is only $750. These days it's difficult to find any kind of Neumann u87 for less than $2k. The WA87 with stock transformer sells for $599 so they are charging $150 for the part and labor to upgrade the tranny. Zen Pro is selling the WA47 with the Neumann capsule for $1973.95. The stock WA47 sells for $899 and Sennheiser sells the replacement K49 capsule for about $1k, so essentially you are saving a little on the labor for capsule installation by buying it already modded from Zen Pro. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 11, 2019 9:10:41 GMT -6
For the price of the 87 I’ll buy a used Ai and have somebody mod it! Haha, well the WA87 with the Zen Pro AMI transformer mod is only $750. These days it's difficult to find any kind of Neumann u87 for less than $2k. The WA87 with stock transformer sells for $599 so they are charging $150 for the part and labor to upgrade the tranny. Zen Pro is selling the WA47 with the Neumann capsule for $1973.95. The stock WA47 sells for $899 and Sennheiser sells the replacement K49 capsule for about $1k, so essentially you are saving a little on the labor for capsule installation by buying it already modded from Zen Pro. It’s all about the capsule, an AI with some moderate tuning of the circuit isn’t a bad mic, I don’t feel like a transformer replacement is a must. In fact I think JW’s mod for an 87 was under $250. Add the fact that it says Neumann and I think even if it’s slightly more you have a better value that will retain value, when you go to sell it a modded Warm is still a Warm no matter what capsule or transformer it has! The fact is if you want a Cheap 87 you would be further ahead buying a Chinese Body the DIY board and AMI transformer and having some one else build it because with this mod your paying a hell of a lot for the board and body. You would probably be fine with Heiserman’s K67/87 capsule, who knows how hard it will be to get a New Neumann after this. |
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Post by Vincent R. on May 11, 2019 19:39:15 GMT -6
At 2k there are other options. Plus, while I like the M49 with a K49 capsule I think the U47 really shines with an M7.
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Post by brenta on May 17, 2019 13:42:41 GMT -6
Now Zen Pro has a WA-251 with the option of modding it with an AKG CK12 capsule. $1099. They also have a new mod for the WA-87 where they are putting a Neumann K87 capsule in there in addition to the AMI transformer mod. $1777
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Post by Vincent R. on May 17, 2019 16:16:25 GMT -6
The WA251 mod is a decent price at $1099.00, but it’s a capsule a lot of people don’t even like. I wouldn’t mind hearing it with a TK12 cap though.
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Post by adamjbrass on May 17, 2019 19:27:51 GMT -6
I wonder how long Neumann will let this continue. They're not happy about their capsule being used for anything but repair of their product. I for one, dislike this sales tactic. It’s cheesy. to modify one of your vendors products, without their blessing? If WA approved this, that’s one thing, which is their business (still kinda cheesy) to do... Obviously, he could get in trouble for reselling outside of a dealer agreement. You never really know...but one thing is sure, a profit will be made for as long as possible. |
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Post by Guitar on May 19, 2019 14:31:36 GMT -6
This is one of those Ferrari engines in a VW thing. Adding in the weird dealer stuff... well I got my popcorn ready.
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