Warm Audio WA-67 R2 opinions?

[pcrecord]

Hi !

Here I am again, still searching for the next buy (Dawm GAS)

I'm sure not many bought this mic since it's fairly new on the market but I still want your opinion on it.
Until now I own many mics but this could be my first tube mic.
Another option is the WA-87 (fet) , but since I have a S87 from micparts, I'm trying to figure out how different sounding the WA-67 is.
People usually think tube gear are more colored but I know that many are very clean, but this 67 also have a Lundahl transformer.

I think this could be my go to vocal mic and might work well on acoustic guitars as well.

It looks promissing on paper and in reviews. What do you think ?

 

[Link555]

Was never a fan of the U67 compared to the U87 models. I also found them too thin. But what do I know Daniel Lanois swears by his u67's. Tube or transistor doesn't really matter IMHO. The frequency response of the capsule, and how it changes with different SPL is what give a mic a particular sound.

Listening the youtube samples:

The warm version is bit brighter to my ear.

 

[pcrecord]

Was never a fan of the U67 compared to the U87 models. I also found them too thin. But what do I know Daniel Lanois swears by his u67's. Tube or transistor doesn't really matter IMHO. The frequency response of the capsule, and how it changes with different SPL is what give a mic a particular sound.

I was on the impression they shared the same capsule at some point.. ??

I listened to this review, the warm audio sounds very bad on the male vocal, nazal and thin compared to the original U67. It seems like the signer had taken a step back with the WA67. Like a feet further..
Maybe they have very different proximity effect..

 

[audiokid]

The warm sounds brighter but they both sound comparable. In the acoustic guitar comparison, the mic head being 3 to 4 inches below is enough to make that comparison inaccurate to me, but again... sounds like a good buy if that what you are looking for.

I wonder how the mic would do in front of strong vocals. These singers were pretty soft.

Nice looking build. Looks like they've done a nice job.

 

[Link555]

Nice looking build. Looks like they've done a nice job.

Ok I will bite, I wasn't impressed.

I would have much preferred see a better securing method of the high mass caps. The PCB seems to have no solder mask, Why? No ground plane either, likely due to the higher tube voltages, but they could just increased the clearance gaps. This would have been better with SMT IMO. It looks like a prototype not professional product.

 

[audiokid]

Ok I will bite, I wasn't impressed.
View attachment 20215 I would have much preferred see a better securing method of the high mass caps. The PCB seems to have no solder mask, Why? No ground plane either, likely due to the higher tube voltages, but they could just increased the clearance gaps. This would have been better with SMT IMO. It looks like a prototype not professional product.

Awesome having you here, Link.. Great having members that understands "in depth" circuitry and "see" past the packaging to point out how things are actually built.

 

[Boswell]

Polystyrene capacitors (as in the photo) give the best results in this type of circuit, but can't be fitted by standard SMT insertion machines. Similarly, through-hole resistors have a lower resistance-voltage change compared with their SM equivalents (see my old RO posts).

Both of these considerations point towards the sort of build that we see in the photo, but I agree that it does not have to exclude a multi-layer board with power and ground planes and a mask, although at a cost increase.

Overall, it does look a bit like a prototype.

 

[pcrecord]

Ok I will bite, I wasn't impressed.
View attachment 20215 I would have much preferred see a better securing method of the high mass caps. The PCB seems to have no solder mask, Why? No ground plane either, likely due to the higher tube voltages, but they could just increased the clearance gaps. This would have been better with SMT IMO. It looks like a prototype not professional product.

I agree I wasn't impressed.. some opened mics had white silicone and looked worst.
I would imagine that had to cut corners to keep the cost low..
The question here is, is it worth it. Worth buying it to complete my mic collection.
I have 2 KSM44, KSM32, micparts T47, T12 and S87. Warm audio WA47jr (to name only the LC)

 

[audiokid]

As you know, I am partial to Mojave Audio and Royer mics because David Royer builds great microphones and they support us too. I've owned most of their mics over the years so I do like giving them a platform when appropriate.

Being said, it would be interesting to compare the Warm Audio WA-67 with Mojave Audio MA-200. For a few hundred more, the MA-200 might be a good alternative for you too, Marco.

I'd like to see what Link or Bos would say seeing the build on one of Mojave's right now. Granted, some parts to Mojave are China but from what I understand, they are ultimately built and passed through their LA home in the USA. I'm always rooting for as much as I can for USA products so forgive my bias.

See some comparisons on the U67 here: https://mojaveaudio.com/testimonials/

 

[Kurt Foster]

i wouldn't make a judgment based on a comparison of a new "whatever" vs. a "whatever" that is 50 years old. and 2 different "whatever's" from 50 years ago are most likely not going to sound the same either.

with all of these "clones" i think the best that could be expected is that they perform within given parameters and deliver the "thing" that the original design had.

 

[pcrecord]

Being said, it would be interesting to compare the Warm Audio WA-67 with Mojave Audio MA-200. For a few hundred more, the MA-200 might be a good alternative for you too, Marco.

Yes the MA-200 seems to be very interesting. Altought it is 1549$ CAD vs the WA-67 at 1189$CAD.
It's a bit hard to find what's inside, but I found a video showing it .
Their design seems to be bare minimal which is kind of surprising and not a bad thing if you think of it.
It makes less parts that can fail...

 

[Link555]

As you know, I am partial to Mojave Audio and Royer mics because David Royer builds great microphones and they support us too. I've owned most of their mics over the years so I do like giving them a platform when appropriate.

Being said, it would be interesting to compare the Warm Audio WA-67 with Mojave Audio MA-200. For a few hundred more, the MA-200 might be a good alternative for you too, Marco.

I'd like to see what Link or Bos would say seeing the build on one of Mojave's right now. Granted, some parts to Mojave are China but from what I understand, they are ultimately built and passed through their LA home in the USA. I'm always rooting for as much as I can for USA products so forgive my bias.

See some comparisons on the U67 here: https://mojaveaudio.com/testimonials/

The MA-200 looks abit cleaner. I am a big fan of Jensen transformers.

But I still like to see a better securing method for the high mass caps. This one appears to have a solder mask, but no ground planes. The tube shock mount is a better idea, vibration wise. I gather that JAN 5840 doesn't get too hot...

 

[Link555]

Too funny we think alike pcrecord!

 

[audiokid]

1549$ CAD vs the WA-67 at 1189$CAD

There is always a price difference for "good better best" of course, but worth discussing too! That's a $360 difference but a very small difference in cost if it meant any improvement "small to substantial" for a song. (imho)
If the cost of that improved your reputation, made a singer/musician sound closer to what you and they wanted, i'd charge that $360 in your studio costs.

 

[audiokid]

There is always a price difference for "good better best" of course, but worth discussing too! That's a $360 difference but a very small difference in cost if it meant any improvement "small to substantial" for a song. (imho)
If the cost of that improved your reputation, made a singer/musician sound closer to what you and they wanted, i'd charge that $360 in your studio costs.

Never the less, a fun (informative) discussion looking at the build of various competitive products here

 

[ronmac]

I would go the Mojave route without hesitation. They are a solid company with a reputation to uphold in the pro marketplace. I have never heard a pro offer a negative review on sound or build quality.

I own a matched pair of MA100 tube SD, and think they are very nice, especially for the price, and have both omni and cardioid capsules. They offer me a sound that my collection of Sennheiser MKHXX mics don't.

David Royer personally reviews every mic, after a burn in process, before they are released for shipment. He has a reputation to protect.

 

[pcrecord]

I saw a few videos talking about the ma-200 sounding close to the u67.
It's funny to read all the opinions...

I think we human like to have point of reference for everything. That's why we hear 'sounds like' so much.

Please Mojave, send me one !! Hey hey..

I think more and more about the ma-200 now. Something about it not being a clone of another mic start to make sens..

 

[Kurt Foster]

Another option is the WA-87 (fet) , but since I have a S87 from micparts, I'm trying to figure out how different sounding the WA-67 is.

that would be interesting.

 

[kmetal]

If i were going the clone route i would go with a boutique maker like Peluso, Bees Knees, Cathedral pipes, who keep prices down without cutting (alot of corners). Without the enormous marketing expenses a company like warm has, and the warehousing and administrative costs, these small companies can maintain their profit ratio and higher quality.

Mojave mics always sound good in any demos i hear. If considering the 200, the 300 might make more sense with the various pickup patterns. Its an increased price but may be worth it long term. Ive found omni and figure 8 very useful to have, and with a quality mic like Mojave cheap switches and mismatched diaphragms are much less of a concern.

I think stuff from places like warm only make sense when its a high performance per dollar unit. As soon as the prices approach "truly" pro level gear, i always get concerned about them using the same cost cutting methods they do on their better value gear.

Presonus and DBX for example both made a high price unit (compressor by dbx preamp by presonus i believe) and the units were built according to their price tag, perhaps exceeding it since they had buying power. So not all cases skimp out, but generally i remain skeptical of warm ect doing anything but bang for the buck stuff, which they excell at.

 

[Kurt Foster]

i don't have a horse in this race. i am just interested in someones opinion on what the Warm mics actually sound like. i hear a lot of opine on the construction, sourcing and blah blah this and blah blah that but i have never heard anyone say what they actually sound like.
i don't like the new look btw. they look like an ADK mic now. they should have stayed with the Neumann look.