Another CK12 Thread - what's available in 2023?

[ZHOUJUN]

I am talking to Terrapin Audio from Bulgaria, and they mentioned they are releasing their CK12 version, which is currently available for 350 EUR as an early sample. Once officially launched, it will be priced at 400 EUR. They have started small-batch production of the CK12 classic capsule and are also developing three special versions featuring titanium foil diaphragms and thinner Mylar diaphragms (4µ and 2µ) with nickel plating.

Very much looking forward to the sound samples.

 

[Migs 31]

I am talking to Terrapin Audio from Bulgaria, and they mentioned they are releasing their CK12 version, which is currently available for 350 EUR as an early sample. Once officially launched, it will be priced at 400 EUR. They have started small-batch production of the CK12 classic capsule and are also developing three special versions featuring titanium foil diaphragms and thinner Mylar diaphragms (4µ and 2µ) with nickel plating.

Tell me, are these supposed to be "made in house" by Terrapin - or simply far East imports?

Because those photos look very much like the Xingde ones.
I was in contact with him. The price tag was around €300/350.
I got a couple to test them and then fed back to him (Alex)...
Just saying. Maybe I'm seeing double, or just drunk?

M

 

[HerbertR]

Tell me, are these supposed to be "made in house" by Terrapin - or simply far East imports?

Because those photos look very much like the Xingde ones.
I was in contact with him. The price tag was around €300/350.
I got a couple to test them and then fed back to him (Alex)...
Just saying. Maybe I'm seeing double, or just drunk?

M

Yes, they may look like Xingde, see pictures...
At least very similar... See surface, solder rings, empty ring holes, wide ring... I think these are the same capsules
Post in thread 'Another CK12 Thread - what's available in 2023?' https://groupdiy.com/threads/another-ck12-thread-whats-available-in-2023.85035/post-1178881

 

[Migs 31]

Yes, they may look like Xingde, see pictures...
View attachment 141137At least very similar... See surface, solder rings, empty ring holes, wide ring... I think these are the same capsules
Post in thread 'Another CK12 Thread - what's available in 2023?' https://groupdiy.com/threads/another-ck12-thread-whats-available-in-2023.85035/post-1178881

Yeah, they do look the same to me.

And same as this other thread here:
https://groupdiy.com/threads/its-be...k12-was-released-any-news.88639/#post-1178883

M

 

[OneRoomStudio]

Yeah, looks to be the same capsule. Hopefully we're wrong. In any case though, the price is not particularly enticing since (as Tim already mentioned) there are already well-established options at near that price (BeesNeez and OPR)

I also hope the 3U capsule makes an appearance soon! I'm really hoping for a sub-$300 USD option.

 

[ZHOUJUN]

If it costs $400, give me a reason not to choose OPR or Tim.

 

[beatnik]

If it costs $400, give me a reason not to choose OPR or Tim.

unreliable supply and poor customer service ?

 

[gyraf]

..regarding "poor customer service", I take it you're not looking at Tim: He has the most extensive customer care program I've yet seen in this business.

But yeah, you can't get his capsules currently (all his recent production has been hoarded by a couple of companies that shall remain unnamed).

/Jakob E.

 

[HerbertR]

..regarding "poor customer service", I take it you're not looking at Tim: He has the most extensive customer care program I've yet seen in this business.

But yeah, you can't get his capsules currently (all his recent production has been hoarded by a couple of companies that shall remain unnamed).

/Jakob E.

...and therefore: it is not absolutely necessary to mention this "good customer service" if nothing is or can be sold to the community. Anyway. I prefer to glorify real, physically accessible manufacturers of capsules with excellent quality. I don't mean that in a bad way. Maybe Flea has good customer service. But I would focus more on the available sources... And most of them offer relly excellent service, who can also deliver real world-class capsules. Just my 52 euro cents on top....
... Cheeers

 

[Tim Campbell]

...and therefore: it is not absolutely necessary to mention this "good customer service" if nothing is or can be sold to the community. Anyway. I prefer to glorify real, physically accessible manufacturers of capsules with excellent quality. I don't mean that in a bad way. Maybe Flea has good customer service. But I would focus more on the available sources... And most of them offer relly excellent service, who can also deliver real world-class capsules. Just my 52 euro cents on top....
... Cheeers

Or bad customer service for that matter.

 

[OneRoomStudio]

Yes, to bring us back to the topic, personally, I believe Tim makes a fantastic product, which unfortunately for all of us, is not available for DIYers.

So…for DIY, the options remain (for now anyway) OPR and BeezNees. There is an additional Chinese option, which doesn’t appear to be a great quality (yet), and possibly a new option from Russia (which may or may not be the same as the Chinese option). No word yet from Guosheng/3U about his option or any other real contenders…

 

[OPR]

unreliable supply and poor customer service ?

I've had no complaints about my customer service and always oblige customers who want customized tuning of my Ck12. I think if people understood how much attention to detail and how time consuming it is to make a great Ck12 there would be less of this race to the bottom mentality.

 

[ZHOUJUN]

Yes, to bring us back to the topic, personally, I believe Tim makes a fantastic product, which unfortunately for all of us, is not available for DIYers.

So…for DIY, the options remain (for now anyway) OPR and BeezNees. There is an additional Chinese option, which doesn’t appear to be a great quality (yet), and possibly a new option from Russia (which may or may not be the same as the Chinese option). No word yet from Guosheng/3U about his option or any other real contenders…

Regarding 3U’s CK12, according to Guosheng’s recent reply to me, his company has just moved and may be delayed for some time.