No, the NT1 is not as good as the NT2. I have an NT2, heard the Rode test CD that compared both as well as the NTV on the same sound sources. As it turns out, the NTV sounded the best, the NT2 really good, and
the NT1 a bit too shallow and dull in my opinion.
If you want to compare the NT2 with comparable mics, I suggest Studio Projects C1, C3, and T3; Marshall V67G;
CAD M177 or 277, I forget; Rode's NTK; AT 4050, maybe the 4033 (which I think has a smaller capsule than others here, so people tend to use that for small-diaphragm applications, I notice). Some of those I've never heard but others in mic forum here rave about them (SP and Marshall especially). I didn't like either of those ATs for my purposes (vocal). I heard the CAD once and it was decent.
Depends on what you're using it for; the NT2 is a large-diphragm mic, good for vox, string instruments, capturing room ambience sometimes, etc, but not so good for miking drums, guitar cabs, ... . If you have an NT2 or are picking it up used, you have a good mic. If you're shopping around and open to all options, go to this board Microphone forum and research to guide you. Most of all, let your ears be your guide and use those opinions to decide what to try on your own.
