I don't replace them out of routine, as you think, but because of the many faulty and "fake" AC 701s, I redesigned the microphone circuits, measured them with an analyzer and listened them to my colleagues. the measured result can often be 20 dB! Because something "factory" can be made even quieter with the right parts and precise work. Measure the value of the resistors, noise, When these microphones were manufactured, there was no such level of noise-free technology. If you digitize the sound, it is even more important in my opinion, and also according to the owners of the studio. But you may have taken better care of these microphones than we did. They are more neglected because of "communism". I talked a lot about this with an old colleague who repaired them at the Film Factory. I think the value of a microphone is determined by its sound quality, not whether it has old noisy components. The capsule and the transformer are the main sound determinants, if I reduce the noise significantly, everyone is happy.