subtle but yes - 2a not so hyped - it has the new capsule (made at the sydney factory rather than in china) that is also in the k2 - peter freedman ('mr rode') reckons this capsule sounds similar to the c12 ...i don't know about that but the 2a is a better sounding mic than the original and 'neo-classic-on-a-budget' nt2 - those switches on the nt2-a look kinda stupid/gimmicky tho don't ya reckon?!