How to tell different ADK A-51 versions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shaggy53
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shaggy53

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I'm looking at a used, older plain-jane ADK A-51 for possible modding. Looking back as far as 2003 at various forum posts, I see reference to version III, VI, etc. Currently it looks like version 5.1 is the latest. Anybody kept up with these versions? (I'm talking here only about the basic cardioid model A-51).

How do these ADK A-51s compare with the current best-bang-for-buck MXL 2003A?

Typical thread here with reference to some different model A-51s:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=66147

Thanks
Dave
 
Hey shaggy welcome to the zoo!
try taking a look at page 2 of microphones under "new king of low end LDC".
They speak a lot about the new MXL 2003a and say it may not need very much modding at all! Just a few little things that Michael Joly will do to it.
If it were to be me that is the way I would be going.;)






:cool:
 
moresound said:
Hey shaggy welcome to the zoo!
try taking a look at page 2 of microphones under "new king of low end LDC".
They speak a lot about the new MXL 2003a and say it may not need very much modding at all! Just a few little things that Michael Joly will do to it.
If it were to be me that is the way I would be going.;)






:cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks! (Zoo? I thought this was the funny farm(!) :laughings:

As it happens, the thread 'New king of the low-end LDCs?' is one of my favorites. Can hardly wait for the next installment(!)

I've had a few cheap mics in the works for, er...'improvements', and will soon get a pair of 2003As to fool around with, but what I'm REALLY interested in is even-cheaper cheap mics that might benefit, even with extensive fiddling - thus my questions regarding the (used) older ADKs. Any other suggestions would be welcome, of course.

I'd like to get hold of some 797 LDC capsules for a reasonable price. Anybody know how I might go about doing that?

thanks!
 
Why not call or email ADK and ask? They are very nice responsive people, and I'm sure they'd be glad to help.

Scott
 
shaggy53 said:
Thanks! (Zoo? I thought this was the funny farm(!) :laughings:

As it happens, the thread 'New king of the low-end LDCs?' is one of my favorites. Can hardly wait for the next installment(!)

I've had a few cheap mics in the works for, er...'improvements', and will soon get a pair of 2003As to fool around with, but what I'm REALLY interested in is even-cheaper cheap mics that might benefit, even with extensive fiddling - thus my questions regarding the (used) older ADKs. Any other suggestions would be welcome, of course.

I'd like to get hold of some 797 LDC capsules for a reasonable price. Anybody know how I might go about doing that?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Shaggy this is the funny farm but turns into a zoo with very little probing. :D

What have you done in the past as far as modifications?
The MXL V67g can be a fun little project!






:cool:
 
moresound said:
Shaggy this is the funny farm but turns into a zoo with very little probing. :D

What have you done in the past as far as modifications?
The MXL V67g can be a fun little project!






:cool:
Click to expand...

Yes. Obsessions can be like that!

I previously regarded worthwhile mics as necessarily expensive, so just 'left it to AKG' (etc). I saved up for years and spent tons of money. My projects in past years were amps and preamps, not mics.
But now with all the availability and interest in cheap Chinese mic mods, I bought and recapped a pair of MXL 603S, and I guess caught the bug...

Looking for new cheap mics to mod, there's no end to the madness... I have some CAD 179s I'm looking into for mods, but they're already pretty good.

The fun of this business, of course, is to not put too much money into it, and to DIY as much as possible.

I would eventually like some decent LDC capsules to build into my own mics. I'm building some solid brass housings right now modeled on my favorite the early AKG C414s. They should be nice enough to warrant decent capsules, maybe some Peluso CEK-12s. But that's down the road a bit...
I prefer to see this as a fun, spare time sort of thing. But it can get pretty crazy once you get into it(!)

cheers
Shaggy
 
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I had an ADK A-51 type V a few years back. I think you have to unscrew the case to tell which one it is if I'm not mistaken. I think that's how I did it. It's been a while.
 
shaggy53 said:
I would eventually like some decent LDC capsules to build into my own mics. I'm building some solid brass housings right now modeled on my favorite the early AKG C414s. They should be nice enough to warrant decent capsules, maybe some Peluso CEK-12s. But that's down the road a bit...
I prefer to see this as a fun, spare time sort of thing. But it can get pretty crazy once you get into it(!)

cheers
Shaggy
Click to expand...

You should talk to Kevin at ADK. He's got some Vienna capsules for sale that might suit your needs.
 
PhilGood said:
How many are we talking? I have a few.
Click to expand...


Thanks PhilGood. Could you PM me with a price and some details as to type, origin, etc? I probably only need a couple to start with, depending on price etc.

PS - I'm guessing 'Vienna' = 'CK-12-type'(?) I'll give Kev a call. Thanks again.

cheers
Shaggy
 
Does anyone know if there's a way of determining A51 type based on the serial #? i've got a matched pair of A51LEs i bought used a while back and I don't know what type they are. I'm thinking about selling them since I'm not doing as much recording at home anymore and they kinda just sit around.
 
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