"Sound better" is quite subjective.
They have a slightly lower output and more midrange,
a bit like a mix between a C12 and a U47.
Tim Campbell said:Here's an internal pic.
tonzauber said:Here is the schematic for the SM204/23 , the version that I have, and which is posted in the other thread.
The /23 indicates that it is named "C23" in AKG names, and is a refit for the AKG C2, the predecessor to the C12.
Quite interesting, they changed the circuit to the self-biasing C24 type.
Also my /23 does not use the Henry Radio V2148 xformer, but a V2545, allegedly built by Rohde & Schwarz.
Also my /23 does not use the Henry Radio V2148 xformer, but a V2545, allegedly built by Rohde & Schwarz.
OPR said:Wow! Great thread!! 8)
They always get interesting when Micaddict gets involved
The sm204 schematic looks like the mic would sound more like a 251 then a c12 looking the biasing scheme,
although there's a capsule to grid coupling capacitor which is a c12 thing... Let's call it a hybrid between the two Along with the shallow dish capsule I'd say the Sm204 circuit would also enhance the mids even further with the way it's biased.
I've made quite a few experiments making my own C12 copy capsules adjusting the chamber sizes, set up and tuning options. .etc and It seems the shallower the dish the flatter and more mid forward it becomes along with the slightest lowering in output, the highs and lows can be adjusted with diaphragm tuning and back-plate spacers. I'd agree with what Tim said in someways that it's somewhere between an 47 and c12,But only frequency wise. Due to the mechanical properties of it's design it still behaves with all of the typical ck12 edge terminated multi-chambered benefits in the way transients are captured and the way it can sound smooth yet airy when set up is a certain way.
From what I understand, if and when Andreas builds in very small numbers, he tries to source the original parts first. I know the SM204s he made have original transformers. So they may have original CK12 capsules too, though maybe not period correct. (?)Andreas Grosser uses MBHO CK12 type capsules almost exclusively and would mean that his version of this mic would sound very different.
micaddict said:OPR said:Wow! Great thread!! 8)
They always get interesting when Micaddict gets involved
The sm204 schematic looks like the mic would sound more like a 251 then a c12 looking the biasing scheme,
although there's a capsule to grid coupling capacitor which is a c12 thing... Let's call it a hybrid between the two Along with the shallow dish capsule I'd say the Sm204 circuit would also enhance the mids even further with the way it's biased.
I've made quite a few experiments making my own C12 copy capsules adjusting the chamber sizes, set up and tuning options. .etc and It seems the shallower the dish the flatter and more mid forward it becomes along with the slightest lowering in output, the highs and lows can be adjusted with diaphragm tuning and back-plate spacers. I'd agree with what Tim said in someways that it's somewhere between an 47 and c12,But only frequency wise. Due to the mechanical properties of it's design it still behaves with all of the typical ck12 edge terminated multi-chambered benefits in the way transients are captured and the way it can sound smooth yet airy when set up is a certain way.
There he is, all the way from down under.
Welcome to the party.
Interesting stuff. Edge terminated capsules (of that size) and the mics they're in, fantastic as they can be, can lack some midrange punch needed for some sources. In the right hands, the capsule as well as the circuit can be tuned to lift the mids. The question is how far do we want to take this. There's always the chance you'll throw away the child with the bath water. In other words, you may lose what makes a CK12, or a C12 for that matter, special. In that case, it would seem wiser to just use a mic with a center terminated capsule, if mid punch is needed. Yin and yang.
Still, it seems this SM204/C23 is actually a very versatile beast while still sounding magical. And perhaps it's even more versatile than the Ela M251.
Tim wrote:
From what I understand, if and when Andreas builds in very small numbers, he tries to source the original parts first. I know the SM204s he made have original transformers. So they may have original CK12 capsules too, though maybe not period correct. (?)Andreas Grosser uses MBHO CK12 type capsules almost exclusively and would mean that his version of this mic would sound very different.
@TLRT
The person to ask at Akzent Audio is Jean Hund.
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