So if the apex 260 & telefunken M-16 are the same...

[Freudian Slip]

So if the apex 260 & telefunken M-16 are the same mic and according to this
http://www.studioreviews.com/m16-460.htm
the apex actually tests slightly better.
Does that make the apex the deal of a life time or the telefunken a crappy mic for the money? I don't have a tube microphone and have been asking my self if that apex might be a really good deal given the situation.

Anyone tried them out?

F.S.

 

[mshilarious]

There is a funny thread over on PSW, Klaus Heyne's board I think, where Tele comes in and says that the mic Dan Richards has was preproduction and for photos only, and their production mic is actually different. They detail some of the differences . . . but caveat emptor, for sure.

The Apex 460 is popular for modding, there is a long thread here about that.

 

[kojdogg]

So if the apex 260 & telefunken M-16 are the same mic and according to this
http://www.studioreviews.com/m16-460.htm
the apex actually tests slightly better.
Does that make the apex the deal of a life time or the telefunken a crappy mic for the money? I don't have a tube microphone and have been asking my self if that apex might be a really good deal given the situation.

Anyone tried them out?

F.S.

it's the apex 460 (not 260). there's a lot to read on this if you search here.
the apex 460 aka nady tcm-1150 and it's other form, the nady tcm-1050 are great platforms for modding (i've had three of the same basic format). you can put nice capsules, transformers, and tubes in them and replace many of the capacitors, resistors and diodes in the circuit to upgrade the sound. doing that can make a tremendous impact on the sound.
philgood here did an awesome job modding one for me. each of the ones i had modded have different peluso capsules in them and either a cinemag or peluso transformer in them.
if you start with an apex 460/nady tcm-1050/1150, are able to do the mods or find a tech who will, and are willing to source some parts, you can end up with an amazing microphone for a bargain price (relative to what a production microphone would cost with a similar configuration).
note that charter oak microphones seem to operate the same way with some of their mics-- upgrading everything in the mic circuit except the capsule (i might be a little off on that, but i know they use chinese capsules and the mics and power supplies look exactly like nady tcm-1050's) and mic manufacturers such as peluso, pearlman, and others use some chinese components (though they may only use mic bodies, cases and things like that).
the m-16 mk I is no longer sold; the mk II is supposedly a much different circuit

 

[Freudian Slip]

it's the apex 460 (not 260). there's a lot to read on this if you search here.

Woops. I'm sure I searched under 260 also and that's why I came up blank.

Thanks for the info. I take it from your response that the original M16 was not so great for the money and the apex 460 is good for the money but not stellar unless modded.

I'll look around. Mind me asking about what the mod job costs?

F.S.

 

[Freudian Slip]

There is a funny thread over on PSW, Klaus Heyne's board I think, where Tele comes in and says that the mic Dan Richards has was preproduction and for photos only, and their production mic is actually different. They detail some of the differences . . . but caveat emptor, for sure.

The Apex 460 is popular for modding, there is a long thread here about that.

Well interesting that they would let a painted apex "for photo's only" make it's way to a testing facility... Ya right.

Think I'll throw a chevy bowtie on my ford and lend it to car and driver magazine So They Can Take Pictures! LMAO:

Right.....

F.S.

 

[kojdogg]

Woops. I'm sure I searched under 260 also and that's why I came up blank.

Thanks for the info. I take it from your response that the original M16 was not so great for the money and the apex 460 is good for the money but not stellar unless modded.

I'll look around. Mind me asking about what the mod job costs?

F.S.

i never tried the m-16 so i can't say. the stock 460s (i had tcm-1050s) are pretty good. you can swap the tube out for a slight improvement. they come stock with chinese 12ax7b's and i've learned that 6072a tubes fit the circuit better.

the way i did it was to source some of the more expensive parts-- capsule, transformer and tube, and then paying the techs who did the work for their labor plus the cost of the other components (capacitors, resistors, diodes) they used.

the peluso capsules start at about $130 for their cek-89 (reportedly their neumann u-89 capsule clone) to about $200 for their cek-347/367 (slightly different reported neuman k-47/k-67(?) clones) or their cek-12 (reported akg c-12 capsule clone), you can use different capsules of course. transformers run about $50 for a cinemag 2480 or peluso bv-11p up through cinemag and tab-funkenwerk transformers that can cost up to $200. for tubes get a nice 6072a tube.

the rest of the stuff depends on what components the tech choses to use.

i wouldn't want to quote anybody's labor rate. if you're really interested i'd pm philgood here and ask him-- he does great work!

 

[Freudian Slip]

i never tried the m-16 so i can't say. the stock 460s (i had tcm-1050s) are pretty good. you can swap the tube out for a slight improvement. they come stock with chinese 12ax7b's and i've learned that 6072a tubes fit the circuit better.

the way i did it was to source some of the more expensive parts-- capsule, transformer and tube, and then paying the techs who did the work for their labor plus the cost of the other components (capacitors, resistors, diodes) they used.

the peluso capsules start at about $130 for their cek-89 (reportedly their neumann u-89 capsule clone) to about $200 for their cek-347/367 (slightly different reported neuman k-47/k-67(?) clones) or their cek-12 (reported akg c-12 capsule clone), you can use different capsules of course. transformers run about $50 for a cinemag 2480 or peluso bv-11p up through cinemag and tab-funkenwerk transformers that can cost up to $200. for tubes get a nice 6072a tube.

the rest of the stuff depends on what components the tech choses to use.

i wouldn't want to quote anybody's labor rate. if you're really interested i'd pm philgood here and ask him-- he does great work!

Very helpfull. Thanks alot for the info.

F.S.