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CardioidCascade Microphones V55 Custom

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

The V55 Custom, sometimes introduced as the “Little Henry,” is a second-generation and heavily modified version of the company’s original tube mic, the V55.

The new mic, like the original, is based on imported components and metalwork, but incorporates numerous upgrades by a noted mic designer in the US (whose name we are not yet able to release). For example, critical capacitors, resistors and wiring in the signal path are upgraded. The headbasket cavity is treated with absorptive materials to reduce reflections, and the large-diaphragm capsule is shockmounted to reduce mechanical noise.

Silver coated, oxygen-free copper wiring with Teflon insulation is used for point-to-point wiring of critical high-impedance portions of the circuit.

The mic’s oversized output transformer is manufactured by AMI. It is described by the mic’s designer as having “the mass metal type of the original U47 transformer, but the same turns ratio that was used in the historical Telefunken Ela M 251.”

The imported power supply is heavily modified to ensure that the tube’s power source is as clean as possible.

The tube is a 6072, configured in a “plate-loaded” circuit with noise filtering applied to the heater voltage supply.

The prototype microphone, shown at AES 2010, incorporated a -10dB pad, a high-pass filter, and a 38mm center-terminated capsule. We were told the pad and filter were not wired into the circuit yet, so these features (as well as the target MSRP of $999) should be considered “subject to change.”

The mic will ship with Gotham cable and Neutrik XLR connectors.

We will update this profile as additional specs become available.

The Cascade Microphones V55 Custom is also known as: Little Henry, V55C.

The mic was released in 2011.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (n/a mV/Pa; n/a)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Capsule diameter: 38mm
Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns
n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a n/a
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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