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I own several Avantone microphones - CK-28 & CK 40. I purchased the Avantone BV-12 based on my experience with the other Avantone Mics I own. The first BV-12 shipped did not work - the power supply had no power. I opened the power supply and found someone either tried to modify it - or - repair it. There was no power to the fuse at all. The 2nd BV-12 shipped power supply did not work either. I was able to repair it myself and get it working... however, the workmanship left me with the impression that someone had tried to modify this power supply as well. It felt and looked like a "DIY" kit. Once I got the 2nd power supply working, I set up the BV-12 and used it to record acoustic guitars. I replaced the stock Russian tube with an Electro Harmonix tube - big difference: fuller, rounder! I set it up using a Millennia Origin STT1 Mic preamp and recorded Taylors 326 & 714 and Santa Cruz H-13. The sound quality of the BV-12 was very complimentary. Smooth across the low mids, mids and captured the high percussive sound of the strings accurately without too much extended high frequency compared to mics in this price range. Over-all, I felt the sound was a bit "hyped"... meaning that it was a bit brighter than the actual guitars themselves. Depending on the type of music and mix your are working with - this could be something to consider. Over-all - I like Avantone mics. However, the BV-12 seems to not have the same quality consistency as the other models. Although I got this 2nd BV-12 working, I chose to send it back based on the observed quality issues I experienced.

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