CHEEEP MXL V77 / Nady 1100

[h1pst3r88]

In my endless quest to find an MXL V77, I managed to scrape up what I think is a pretty good deal (thanks to PhilGood for the recommendation on the 1100):

Nady 1100 $119 at microphones.com (I know the history about 797 and Nady's move to cheaper labor with the V77's design, and that the MXL and the Nady are NOT the same mic). You need to do a search on the homepage as the link on 1100's page "add to cart" publishes the price at $199. I live chatted with the guy and he fixed the link on the spot.

Not sure if this interests anyone but the 1100 is on ebay all the time for between $50 and $100 more from US sellers...and no, I'm NOT a shill (just a dweeb).

So, with an NOS tube upgrade I'm thinking this is my best/cheapest shot at the V77. Anyone have any feedback on the 1100 or 1050 (which is $180 through that Stellar guy on ebay...anyone ever bought one of those?)

h1pst3r

[PhilGood]

I just want to add to this that I got the Nady TCM1100 yesterday. I compared it to the photos that kidvybes posted of the insides of the MXL V77. While I can't fully tell if it is or isn't the same circuit, it definately is not layed out the same at all and has different resistors. It also does NOT have a 1.1" diaphragm as according to the packaging and brochure. It is a 1" capsule and looks to be the same as a V67 style capsule. It does not have the white retainer ring as a typical 797 capsule has. If I were to venture an unsubstantiated guess, I would bet this is more like a V76t than a V77.

Nady also claims the tube is a 6072. The tube that came in the mic had 12AX7B printed RIGHT ON THE TUBE!!! Nady also claims that a 6072 is a 12AT7. Nady apparently doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground as a 6072 is a 12AY7! I installed a 9 pin socket so I could try different tubes. A real 6072 makes the mic sound very nice.

All that said, this is a pretty good little mic. I sounds VERY full with a tight bottom end. I really couldn't detect a sibilance issue at all. The top is pretty smooth. It also has a bit of that "3-D" quality I have found is some better mics.

My $.02

Phil

[PhilGood]

Oh yeah! The build quality is very sturdy!!

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

I just want to add to this that I got the Nady TCM1100 yesterday. I compared it to the photos that kidvybes posted of the insides of the MXL V77. While I can't fully tell if it is or isn't the same circuit, it definately is not layed out the same at all and has different resistors. It also does NOT have a 1.1" diaphragm as according to the packaging and brochure. It is a 1" capsule and looks to be the same as a V67 style capsule. It does not have the white retainer ring as a typical 797 capsule has. If I were to venture an unsubstantiated guess, I would bet this is more like a V76t than a V77.

Nady also claims the tube is a 6072. The tube that came in the mic had 12AX7B printed RIGHT ON THE TUBE!!! Nady also claims that a 6072 is a 12AT7. Nady apparently doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground as a 6072 is a 12AY7! I installed a 9 pin socket so I could try different tubes. A real 6072 makes the mic sound very nice.

All that said, this is a pretty good little mic. I sounds VERY full with a tight bottom end. I really couldn't detect a sibilance issue at all. The top is pretty smooth. It also has a bit of that "3-D" quality I have found is some better mics.

My $.02

Phil

...that's good enough for me...if Phil gives it a thumbs up, then for $119. plus a few extra bucks for a 9-pin socket and some solder, you've got yourself a decent little deal...I happen to work a couple of miles down the road from these guys (never knew they were there), so I might drop in some time and check out there deals...did I see a "free shipping on orders over $100." somewhere on that site as well?...

[h1pst3r88]

Yes on the shipping...

Anyway, Kidvybes I read that you have the MXL 960, do you still? Is it still in rotation for you? What are you're feelings after owning it for a while...I never saw the follow-up from you on that one.

You sold the V76t, is that because in similar situations you were grabbing the 960 or because you only bought it for testing?. Just wondering what the hell to do with all the choices for a $199 (or under) tube mic. Here's how I see it:

V76t - $199
MXL 960 - $199
MXL9000 - $199 (but why would buy this instead of a 76t?)
Stellar CM-2 / Nady 1050 - $189 (multi-pattern)
Apex 460 / Nady 1150 - $199-ish (multi-pattern)
Nady 1100 - $119 (seems to cheap not to get...thanks Phil!)

Any more help from the maestros...oh, kidvybes, I pm'd you.

h1pst3r

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by h1pst3r88

Yes on the shipping...

Anyway, Kidvybes I read that you have the MXL 960, do you still? Is it still in rotation for you? What are you're feelings after owning it for a while...I never saw the follow-up from you on that one.

You sold the V76t, is that because in similar situations you were grabbing the 960 or because you only bought it for testing?. Just wondering what the hell to do with all the choices for a $199 (or under) tube mic. Here's how I see it:

V76t - $199
MXL 960 - $199
MXL9000 - $199 (but why would buy this instead of a 76t?)
Stellar CM-2 / Nady 1050 - $189 (multi-pattern)
Apex 460 / Nady 1150 - $199-ish (multi-pattern)
Nady 1100 - $119 (seems to cheap not to get...thanks Phil!)

h1pst3r

...I'd have to say, with Phil's approval on the 1100, I'd probably give it a shot for $120. shipped...assuming you can replace the tube socket (pretty basic soldering skills required) and upgrade the tube as Phil did...I sold both my V76t and 960, only because I have too many other mics I would go to first...both seemed like very nice mics at those price points (the V76t is noticeably "brighter" sounding than the 960 which is a bit more "mellow" in it's tone)...by the way, the 76t is an "upgraded" MXL9000 (better caps and transformer and plated grill)...Scott at MXL confirmed that to me a while back...I say get a nice NOS GE 5-Star 6072A and do the surgery! (just my $.02)...

Here's on of the rarer "3-mica" GE 6072 tubes...I'd keep an eye on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/6072-GE-Black-Pl...QQcmdZViewItem

...or for $9. more you'll have 2 to choose from...the RCA 6072 was also an excellent audio tube...check 'em out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-TUBES-6072-12A...QQcmdZViewItem

[PhilGood]

Well, you know me! Mod mod mod!!!!

I've already removed the .022uF tantalium capacitor and the 1uF 450v electrolytic capacitor and replaced them with a .022uF mylar and 1uF 250v mylar.

Does it sound better? Yes!

By a lot? No!

Any improvement is still an improvement!

Should have done a before and after, but I kind of already know what is a weakness and what isn't.

[BmC_41]

Hi all, i made an email inquiry to 797audio about the v77, tcm1100 and here is what i got for a reply.

"On 1/9/06, John Ma <ma@797audio.com> wrote:
they are the same, same capsule used inside, same circuit, the transformer, same power supplier, same vacuum tube inside, everything.
the difference is Logo and Model number.
TCM1100 is no longer made.
V77 is no longer made.
because our price is always a little higher than others from Southern China.
Nady/Marshall is buying some cheaper mics from Southern China."

[PhilGood]

Originally Posted by BmC_41

Hi all, i made an email inquiry to 797audio about the v77, tcm1100 and here is what i got for a reply.

"On 1/9/06, John Ma <ma@797audio.com> wrote:
they are the same, same capsule used inside, same circuit, the transformer, same power supplier, same vacuum tube inside, everything.
the difference is Logo and Model number.
TCM1100 is no longer made.
V77 is no longer made.
because our price is always a little higher than others from Southern China.
Nady/Marshall is buying some cheaper mics from Southern China."

The capsules are different. The one in the TCM1100 that I have is a 1" with a brass retainer ring. The capsule in the V77 is a 1.1" with the white ring. Maybe Nady had another company do a clone preoduction run, and the Mic I have is not a 797.

[h1pst3r88]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

The capsules are different. The one in the TCM1100 that I have is a 1" with a brass retainer ring. The capsule in the V77 is a 1.1" with the white ring. Maybe Nady had another company do a clone preoduction run, and the Mic I have is not a 797.

This jibes with what Kidvybes was told by Scott at MXL. When 797 was manufacturing the V77 for Marshall they were also manking the same mic with the same parts at the same factory as the Nady 1100. When Marshall decided to handle their own production and sever ties with 797, they discontinued the V77.

At that time, Nady took the V77 design and moved manufacturing of the mic to South China where labor is apparently cheaper. It stands to reason that Nady may have tweaked the design/parts selection for costs reasons. Perhaps that is why the V77 sold on the street for $300 in its heyday and the Nady 1100 now sells for about $160 ($119 at microphones.com).

While I don't disregard this story (it's probably totally true), I guess the proof is in the pudding: if Phil has this mic and after a tube swap says it sounds very nice, then I for one believe it probably sounds very nice. I haven't ordered yet, mainly because I really want a multi-pattern tube condenser (either the Apex 460/Nady 1150 or the Nady 1050...ANYONE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO NADY'S??

h1pst3r

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by h1pst3r88

This jibes with what Kidvybes was told by Scott at MXL. When 797 was manufacturing the V77 for Marshall they were also manking the same mic with the same parts at the same factory as the Nady 1100. When Marshall decided to handle their own production and sever ties with 797, they discontinued the V77.

At that time, Nady took the V77 design and moved manufacturing of the mic to South China where labor is apparently cheaper. It stands to reason that Nady may have tweaked the design/parts selection for costs reasons. Perhaps that is why the V77 sold on the street for $300 in its heyday and the Nady 1100 now sells for about $160 ($119 at microphones.com).

While I don't disregard this story (it's probably totally true), I guess the proof is in the pudding: if Phil has this mic and after a tube swap says it sounds very nice, then I for one believe it probably sounds very nice. I haven't ordered yet, mainly because I really want a multi-pattern tube condenser (either the Apex 460/Nady 1150 or the Nady 1050...ANYONE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO NADY'S??

h1pst3r

...that turn of events involving 797's relationship with both Marshall & Nady has been confirmed with similar details over the past year or so...personally, I'd take Phil's word and do the mod on the 1100, since the price is so good...then, find yourself a clean used CAD M179 for cheap (I paid $60 on Ebay for mine)...
...it's a terrific multi-pattern mic...this way, you'll have a sweet tube mic for vocals (cardioid) and a proven multi-pattern for instrument miking...if you really want a nice multi-pattern tube mic, save up a few more dollars and keep your eye out for a clean, used SP T3 (I paid $300. for mine on Ebay)...it's been recommended on this and other recording BBs as the best multi-pattern tube mic under $500...but the 2 mics for the price of one still looks like the best bargain...

[h1pst3r88]

[......sorry for double post......]

[h1pst3r88]

I'm bidding on that!!!

...My thoughts are runnning very similar to yours, Kidvybes. I am going back and forth between the 1100 (mod'd about $150 total) along with the M179 (say $100 used) versus saving up for the likes of a T3. Don't think I can find a T3 for $250 though...and the two mics may be more versatile than the one.

But then there's Dave Thomas' modified Apex 460s with peluso 89 and 6072 (albeit not NOS) for $425 on ebay...but kind of more than I want to lay out right now though it seems to be all the mods I might do eventually, yet I can plug it in and go.

By the way, other than Musicians Friend, where else online can you return mics?

Thanks!

h1pst3r

[BmC_41]

Well the guy at 797audio said that the earlier models of the 1100 are the ones that are identical to the v77. I asked if there were any comestic differences so that one could easily identify an old vs newer model, but didn't get an answer on that question. I have a apex 460, and would like to pickup a TCM 1100, as a side note i called microphone.com and they say that the $119 is an error and the sales guy checked with his supervisor who said no, $149. Any chance of you Phil documenting your modding of the 1100 with pictures? (-:
thanks

kidvybe, what's your opinion of the ADK TC tube mic?

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by h1pst3r88

I'm bidding on that!!!

...My thoughts are runnning very similar to yours, Kidvybes. I am going back and forth between the 1100 (mod'd about $150 total) along with the M179 (say $100 used) versus saving up for the likes of a T3. Don't think I can find a T3 for $250 though...and the two mics may be more versatile than the one.

But then there's Dave Thomas' modified Apex 460s with peluso 89 and 6072 (albeit not NOS) for $425 on ebay...but kind of more than I want to lay out right now though it seems to be all the mods I might do eventually, yet I can plug it in and go.


h1pst3r

...congrats on winning the M179 on Ebay...you're halfway to the "two mics are more versatile than one" equation...

[PhilGood]

Originally Posted by BmC_41

Any chance of you Phil documenting your modding of the 1100 with pictures? (-:
thanks

OK. Here are 2 pics of the mic after I changed the caps and added the tube socket. I added a pic of kidvybes' V77 for reference.

Sorry I didn't take any 'before' pics. Didn't think about it. The large cap in the middle replaces one electrolytic. The small red one by the grill replaced a tantalium cap. The new ones are mylars. They probably don't make that big of a difference, but it sounds smoother to my ears.

[BmC_41]

Came across this nady tcm 1100 on ebay, brand new
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...ME:B:BCA:CA:11

[torkay]

Hi,

...on the microphones.com page i only can find a price of 199$ for the Nady 1100..where did you find the 119$ price?

..and why you need to install another socket to change the tube ..isn´t it possible to use a better 12AX7 tube.. i have a great 12AX7 tube from TAD which i use also in my TB-101 preamp


torkay

[PhilGood]

Originally Posted by torkay

Hi,

...on the microphones.com page i only can find a price of 199$ for the Nady 1100..where did you find the 119$ price?

..and why you need to install another socket to change the tube ..isn´t it possible to use a better 12AX7 tube.. i have a great 12AX7 tube from TAD which i use also in my TB-101 preamp


torkay

The company learned that its list price was a mistake. They told us the price would go to $149, but must have decided it should be higher.

You HAVE to install a tube socket to use different tubes. Nady has the wires soldered directly to the tube pins. There IS no socket.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by torkay

..isn´t it possible to use a better 12AX7 tube.. i have a great 12AX7 tube from TAD which i use also in my TB-101 preamp


torkay

...you could use the 12AX7 you mention, but the gain factor on a 12AX7 tube is very high...this tends to make the mic "noisey" sounding...the 6072 is a special military grade 12AY7 (lower gain than the 12AX7) that is particularly quiet due to minimal microphonics and a reinforced construction (thicker mica and additional support rods) that minimalize any "noise " factors which are critical in a microphone circuit (but just a bit less critical in a preamp)...
...if you prefer not to pay the higher price of a NOS vintage tube, the new Electro Harmonix 6072A has been getting pretty good reviews, and the price is nice!:
http://cgi.ebay.com/12AY7-6072A-12AY...QQcmdZViewItem

...here's a link where the V77 tube swap is discussed in depth with pics:
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3744

[mastac]

I just finished recording a 37 minute straight medley with just vocal and piano a couple days ago with Nady TCM-1100 for vocal track and a pair MXL V67 for a steinway grand piano. The vocals came out excellent - have no complaints here. The Nady just happens to be my vocal mic of choice. In the next week or two after everything is edited, some clips will be up on the web. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes it!

Craig

[h1pst3r88]

Looking forward to hearing it!

h1pst3r

[RCAGuy05]

Is there anyone in the Central Texas AUSTIN/SANANTONIO/HOUSTON/WACO AREA that could mod a NADY 1100 or any other mic??
I choose suggested here for me. I've been highly interested in the V77 but obviously they are somewhat rare. I'm open to figuring the soldering process I just don't have any experience with soldering and would pay someone to do it for me or atleast would like someone to guide me through it.

[BmC_41]

Just received my v77, stupid question perhaps, but can someone confirm that this is one already has the tube socket in place, ready to swap out the tube. Mine appears to be the platiunum colored one, with a manufactor's date, i assume of 2000-5-10, would this be one of the earlier models or a later model?
thanks

[Flatpicker]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

The capsules are different. The one in the TCM1100 that I have is a 1" with a brass retainer ring. The capsule in the V77 is a 1.1" with the white ring...

I know the V77's capsule has a 3 micron diaphragm, but not sure about the Nady - it may be a 6 micron. Completely different capsules for sure. Any one know what ratio transformers are in these things? They’re obviously different too.