Rode K2 mic - recommend a complimentary pre-amp?

billruys · Post by **billruys** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:39 pm

BradLyons wrote:It's all about the capsule, there is a reason why affordable mics have a brighter sound.

Brad is 100% correct! Having done a few capsule substitutions and electronic rebuilds, I have learned this over the years too. It always cracks me up when people think they can buy a really bad condenser mic and upgrade the electronics. 98% of the sound of the mic comes from the capsule. The electronics are the easy part (particularly if it's a FET impedance converter).

However, the stock tube in the K2 is absolute rubbish and replacing it really does improve the mic's noise floor. But if you don't like the way the mic's top end sounds now, you won't after you replace the tube. That is the "sound" of the K2, which I don't particularly like.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:44 pm

I'll say it again....MOJAVE AUDIO MA200. And hey, the Mojave Audio MA200.... "OOPS, I said it again" (to the Britney Spears tune)

billruys · Post by **billruys** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:08 pm

kgdrum wrote: how hard is it to replace the tube?is it something a non technically oriented person can do?I have always hated the K2 for the same reasons,,I hope the tube change can improve the mic,as it's horribly harsh as is.I am considering Great River or the UA 610 would either be a bad choice?
thanks
KG

Replacing the tube is not technically difficult. It requires basic mechanical skills rather than electronic skills. If you unscrew the body of the mic, you should see the tube. There is a plastic retention clip on the top of it. Remove the two screws and remove the retention clip. Then prise the tube out of the socket. Reverse the procedure to install the new tube.

I predict that the K2 will be quieter with the new tube, but you will still hate it. When I lost mine in a flood last year, I didn't replace it with the insurance money. I bought a different mic. I never found the K2 worth the effort of plugging it in.

If they still have them, thetubestore.com is where I picked up my JAN Philips 6922.

kgdrum · Post by **kgdrum** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:37 pm

thanks for the info,I know you are probably right about replacing the tube as being just a temporary stopgap until I get a better mic.but as I already have the mic,it's worth a shot and I hope adding something like the the UA 610 to the signal chain,will help as well(now I go into a FF directly)
KG

davedempsey · Post by **davedempsey** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:37 am

Anyone looking for a new mic pre should have a look at this:

http://www.peachaudio.com/pdfs/PEACHM196SE.pdf
http://www.peachaudio.com/pdfs/Peach_M1 ... ochure.pdf

Not cheap at $6250AUD for two channels but amongst the very best currently made.