{"product_id":"golden-age-ga-251-mkii-tube-condenser-microphone","title":"Golden Age GA-251 MKII Tube Condenser Microphone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Telefunken ELA M 250\/251 was made for Telefunken by AKG after Neumann discontinued its OEM production of the Telefunken U-47. The \u003cstrong\u003eGolden Age Premier GA-251 MKII\u003c\/strong\u003e is inspired by this truly classic microphone.  The GA-251 MKII shares the same design goal that was set for the GA-47: to offer the classic qualities and advantages that a vintage unit in perfect condition would provide and do so at a low price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe MKII version features the following improvements:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eNew CNC produced base plate made of brass\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eImproved, more even grille\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eInner design is more tidy and stable using an expensive Rogers circuit board with point-point wiring resulting in an ever more refined sound quality\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eNew metal flight case and black cardboard box\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_0\"\u003eMic body and grille \u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe mic body is made of brass, the grille is made of iron. The grille, which is a critical component affecting the sound character, is similar to the one in the ELA M 251. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_1\"\u003eCapsule  \u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe GA-251 MKII uses a 34 mm K251 style capsule. Being a dual-sided one, it provides both cardioid and omni polar patterns. In order to get a good consistency between units, for each production run of 50 pcs GA-251 MKII units, approximately 200 capsules is evaluated in order to find 50 capsules with specifications that lie within the tight tolerances.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBackplate material: brass\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCapsule diameter: 34 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMembrane diameter: 34 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMembrane material: 6 micron gold-coated mylar\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe sensitivity of the front and back side of the capsule do not differ more than 0.3 dB. The sensitivity between different capsules do not differ more than 0,5 dB. The tight manufacturing tolerance will lead to a very good consistency between different GA-251 MKII units.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe capsule is specially designed to complement the electronic circuit of the GA-251 MKII to achieve a frequency response curve with a nice balance between the high, middle and low frequencies. The result is a very smooth sound with a warm bottom and airy top end just like ELA M 251.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_2\"\u003eTube\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe GA-251 MKII uses a NOS Phillip 5840W super low noise pentode tube connected in triode mode in order to decrease the noise. The tube has the following character:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced sound response \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eSmooth and warm sound character and a low noise level\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLong lifespan\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe GA-251 MKII amplifier features a new proprietary circuit designed around the NOS 5840W tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_3\"\u003eOutput transformer\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe GA-251 MKII transformer is specially designed with a 10:1 AMI style dual bobbin transformer. It is made from permalloy steel sheet from USA and enamelled wire from Germany. It offers a wonderful sound character with a high resolution and great balance between the low, middle and high-frequency bands.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_4\"\u003eCapacitors and resistors\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe coupling capacitor is made by Solen from France. It is a high balanced film capacitor made from MKP material with pure oxygen-free copper connections. It has a very delicate and balanced sound. The capsule capacitor uses NOS Siemens antique grade polystyrene capacitor to reduce loss. The tube cathode bypass capacitor uses an ELNA OFC Cerafine high end HiFi capacitor from Japan with oxygen-free copper connections exhibiting a very sweet and delicate character, not the least for vocals. The other capacitors are of the low loss polystyrene type. The resistor used for setting the capsule voltage is a high-quality DALE 1% metal film resistor. The result is a very stable and consistent operating level leading to better consistency between different GA-251 MKII units. The plate resistor uses a non-inductive resistor of the United States IRC audio with pure copper connections. The sound level is rich and full-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_5\"\u003eMic interior\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe electronic circuit is built with point-to point wiring, All soldering points made with Mudorf Msolder Supreme silver gold solder All of the inside wire use pure silver wire and decrease the loss during the circuit transmission, also it can ensure the sound quality is transparent.  All components which are connected to electrical ground is connected to the ground plane on the circuit board. All other component connections use point to point wiring which results in virtually zero loss and crosstalk.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_6\"\u003ePower supply transformer and electrolytic capacitors\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vintage style power supply PSU uses a high power R-style transformer with a low noise level and minimum stray field. A simple but effective circuit uses dual-stage filtering for the filament voltage. The High voltage is also precisely filtered and stabilized using an ON semiconductor zener diode.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe polar pattern switch is placed on the power supply so that the recording engineer can change the polar pattern between Cardioid and Omni remotely. A ground lift switch will help to solve mains power-related noise issues that can appear in some cases\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3 id=\"toc_7\"\u003eMic cable\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe cable is specially produced using 99,99% pure oxygen-free copper, Teflon insulation, tin foil and 98% kitmesh, ie with a very high braided density of the cable shield. It has a very open and smooth sound. The mic connector is an aviation style plug providing solid connections and a long life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden Age Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44450637676647,"sku":"147284","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/8848\/5479\/files\/golden-age-ga-251_147284_1_6c2a234f-1361-4056-a07d-e59f05b73a81.jpg?v=1787093861","url":"https:\/\/vintageking.mom\/products\/golden-age-ga-251-mkii-tube-condenser-microphone","provider":"Vintage King","version":"1.0","type":"link"}