Superlux S502 MK2 test, teardown and improvements

[jp8]

But in another hand I can machine SDC bodies in the most appropriate metal with the good thread for MkII capsules !

Hmm, sounds interesting... What would you charge for two bodies? I'd like to have them in the same matte black finishing as the capsules. Would that be feasible? Or would I have to air brush paint them?

Jan

 

[Emmathom]

Hmm, sounds interesting... What would you charge for two bodies? I'd like to have them in the same matte black finishing as the capsules. Would that be feasible? Or would I have to air brush paint them?

Jan

I must ask "my buddy" who does all my metal gear. Myself, I don't care about cosmetic so a bronze or inox body (for ex.) would suit me. For a black body I must see with him but in any case it's gonna be about painting...

We need non magnetic metal : have you guys some recommandation ?

About the diameter of the body and the step of the threading I must buy a MkII and measure the capsule. About the thickness of the body it depends on the chosen metal's strenght and rigidity (but I'm thinking of 2mm thick)

Now, the circuit... is it still Jan stuff ? could he do on a 19mm width board ? which length knowing that XLR connector will certainly be soldered at it ?

The capsule exists, the electronic board has to be designed (also mechanically) and then we'll know how to manage with the body...

2 other alternatives :
- print a 3D body (my "metal friend" does it also very well)
- cut the capsule holder (of course professionally) and adpat it to a new body > I don't know what is in the thread part : could @MicUlli show us a close pict ? There should be some connector... by keeping the capsule holder one could exchange capsule or body with real Schoeps

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

I must ask "my buddy" who does all my metal gear. Myself, I don't care about cosmetic so a bronze or inox body (for ex.) would suit me. For a black body I must see with him but in any case it's gonna be about painting...

We need non magnetic metal : have you guys some recommandation ?

About the diameter of the body and the step of the threading I must buy a MkII and measure the capsule. About the thickness of the body it depends on the chosen metal's strenght and rigidity (but I'm thinking of 2mm thick)

Now, the circuit... is it still Jan stuff ? could he do on a 19mm width board ? which length knowing that XLR connector will certainly be soldered at it ?

The capsule exists, the electronic board has to be designed (also mechanically) and then we'll know how to manage with the body...

2 other alternatives :
- print a 3D body (my "metal friend" does it also very well)
- cut the capsule holder (of course professionally) and adpat it to a new body > I don't know what is in the thread part : could @MicUlli show us a close pict ? There should be some connector... by keeping the capsule holder one could exchange capsule or body with real Schoeps

I would say brass or aluminium would be best.

 

[k brown]

Sure! There are a number of really usefull mods described in this thread, nicely summarized by @Voyager10.

You specifically mentioned to pair the CM-63 with the 3U capsules, but it yields a slightly different tonality when compared to the CM-60 + 3U combo, which I liked better. It's a bit flatter in the highs. I assume the differences are caused by the different back chamber and slots design. I'd suggest to also consider the Alctron T-02A instead of the CM-63, which I expect to sound identical to the CM-60.

You can hear the tonal differences in @joulupukki 's Blind Test (link below). Though both the CM-60 and CM-63 have slightly different KM84 style circuits, both circuuts are dead-flat in the highs, so I'd reason that tonal differences in the highs should be caused by the capsule/body combination.

Thread 'Four KM-84 Clones - Blind Test' https://groupdiy.com/threads/four-km-84-clones-blind-test.89135/

Having done the KM84 "project", the S502 Mk2 capsule similarities with a Schoeps MK4 triggered me to pick up cloning a CMC6 MK4 as the next project. Just not with a standard Schoeps circuit, but my own.

Jan

What do y'all not like about the stock CM-63 capsule?; I think it sounds quite nice.

I experimented with removing the front grill, and got a very flat response that's useful for close up use.

(Sorry, I meant to ask this earlier in the thread, but got distracted.)

 

[ubxf]

I like the S502 MK2 and if it can be better I'm all for it just trying to bring it back to the original idea

 

[bremusound]

I would say brass or aluminium would be best.

I would say aluminium shouldn‘t be first choice because of the fine threads (pitch is 0.3mm IIRC). Brass would be nice!

 

[Khron]

I would say aluminium shouldn‘t be first choice because of the fine threads (pitch is 0.3mm IIRC). Brass would be nice!

... And because of the potentially-uncertain electrical contact (since it oxidizes instantly, and the oxide layer, while thin, is highly acid-resistant and electrically-insulating).

 

[jp8]

Brass is easier to machine, indeed. Of all the SDC bodies I examjned, the brass versions had the best looking threads.

ARe you sure the thread pitch is 0.3mm? Any reference? I cannot accurately measure the thread pitch with my calipers with worn out pins, but comparing it under a microscope with a Behringer B-5, I'd say they are identical. AFAIK, the B-5 pitch is 0.45mm.

Thread diameter is 19.2mm, whereas the B-5 measures 19.0mm. This is why the B-5 capsule does not screw on the S502 MK2 interface, but that capsule loosly fits on the B-5 body.

I'm afraid we'll have to machine a dedicated body with exactly matching dimensions and threads.

A complicating issue is the diameter of the white capsule interface of 18.8mm, leaving only 1.2mm/2 = 0.6mm wall thickness for the body.

I'm afraid we'll also need a new interface, which has to be 3D printed or machined from PTFE.

Jan