With all the hype its hard to know. There are few places if any where you can go and test a microphone and even if you could, would the conditions accurately reflect the real world conditions you would be using the thing under. I seriously doubt it. Therefore, when the add hype machine says the AT 4060 will give you that "vintage tube sound", exactly what does this mean if anything. Is it true, is the standard so subjective as to be completely meaningless or, on the other hand, is the a reflection of the conventional wisdom on this mic and a useful guide when shopping for a microphone. Jeez, whatever does one do?