AKG Perception 820 Tube Condenser

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Lad
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Jim Lad

Jim Lad

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I know, another "Who uses it?" thread.
What I want to know is; Is anyone actually using one of these, right now and can tell me what they think of it?
And by "Using it right now" I mean, "Got it warming up in the studio and can't wait to get back to it", kind of using it.
There are other multi pattern tubes which interest me and are less expensive, Golden Age, Studio Projects etc. or I may hold out for an affordable, used C414 and get the multi pattern without the valve.
 
Interesting.
The sales rep actually called it "The Flagship of their entry level range".
Helped me make up my mind but I have to say, what AKG calls "Entry Level" is beyond the capabilities of some manufacturers.
 
Most of the Perception line are being made by iSK/Shengke I believe...if so, it's probably very decent...but price is a bit too high...I believe there's better options for less...
 
I had the 100 and the 200 and found them both to be excellent for the price range.

To my way of thinking, if they had lowered the price of the 820 to say $500-$550 where it most likely belongs, it would have had an adverse effect on the value of the 400 and 420 mics.

I actually spent the money that I was going to use on the 820 on a pair of mics from another manufacturer.
 
kidvybes said:
Most of the Perception line are being made by iSK/Shengke I believe...if so, it's probably very decent...but price is a bit too high...I believe there's better options for less...
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was thinking. The 820 looks just like the iSK tube mic I purchased with a slightly differently machined/painted body. Its a very, very decent mic really. I wanted to mod the hell out of it but ended up only replacing the output cap and changed 2 electrolytics to Black Gates. Even before there was no reason the complain about the mic. It had a great sound as-is!
 
kidvybes said:
Most of the Perception line are being made by iSK/Shengke I believe...if so, it's probably very decent...but price is a bit too high...I believe there's better options for less...
Click to expand...

seems it is correct, it was said the Perception line is made by iSK/Shengke ..
these microphone companies are located in Southern China, seems they were mic part and accessories supplier for 797audio and feilo several years ago.
 
PhilGood said:
That's exactly what I was thinking. The 820 looks just like the iSK tube mic I purchased with a slightly differently machined/painted body. Its a very, very decent mic really. I wanted to mod the hell out of it but ended up only replacing the output cap and changed 2 electrolytics to Black Gates. Even before there was no reason the complain about the mic. It had a great sound as-is!
Click to expand...
I swapped out the tube for an EHX Gold Pin 12AY7. Doesn't accentuate those already-hyped capsules as much. However, very interested to know which value you used in the output cap. Pics would be even better. I feel there's a gem of a mic here waiting to happen, but that it may take a CK12 capsule to bring out the best.... $60 on alibab for a 797Audio one... hmm.?
 
Hi, and welcome. Jim Lad hung around for a few years, but hasn't been back for 4 now, and this topic he posted in 2011, so a bit ancient for questions - as he'll never read them?
 
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