The original concept the more affordable UM17 is based on, the UM17R was
designed as an alternative to today’s popular vintage and modern high-end
standards. As you would expect from a true high performance microphone, no
expense was spared in its electronics design and overall specification, with a
direct focus on reliability, ease of access to replacement parts, and optimum
sound quality.
Taking over 2 years to complete, the UM17R project was born through the
redesign by AMI’s Oliver Archut of one of his most proven circuits, the
‘alternate-tube U47’ amplifier. Through a newly established partnership with
AMI, Inc., we set out to build a microphone around this revamped circuit,
using a mix of vintage and modern components readily available, and a
selection of parts we custom built like the AMI BV8 transformer. The aim was
to give the UM17R a unique sound character and colour all of its own, whilst
sharing some of the distinctive characteristics of the designs that inspired it.
The production version of the UM17R is therefore not a clone, nor does it
pretend to be an emulation of any one specific design.
For its components, the UM17R uses a Phillips 5840/EF732 sub-miniature
NOS tube, AMI’s custom all-nickel BV8LP transformer, and a THIERSCH
STW7 capsule. A beefy vintage ‘NG’ style power supply, handmade by AMI,
powers the microphone, providing 11 different remote controlled polar
patterns ranging from Omni to Figure 8. The package is rounded off with a
GOTHAM GAC-7 cable, and a custom Rycote shock-mount built to the exact
weight ratings of the UM17R. The entire system is covered by our 5 year
limited warranty, with all units burnt-in and tested for 7 days prior to delivery.
In terms of its performance, as a guideline only, the UM17R sounds very
similar to an M49 but with a distinct character of its own. As with all our
microphones, we highly recommend you contact your dealer for a demo in
your own room, to experience it first hand.
Features:
• Oliver Archut designed amplifier circuit (USA)
• Thiersch STW7 Redline Capsule (Germany)
• AMI BV8LP Transformer (USA)
• Telefunken or Phillips NOS EF732/5840 tube (USA)
• AMI NG style Power Supply (USA)
• Custom Rycote Shock Mount (UK)
• Gotham GAC-7 Cable (Switzerland)
• Neutrik/Switchcraft connectors (Switzerland/USA)
• Assembled, burnt-in and tested in the USA.
• 5 year transferable warranty, tube covered 6 months.
Specifications:
• Type: Condenser pressure gradient
• Capsule: Thiersch STW7, Mylar diaphragm
• 11 Polar Patterns: Omni to Figure 8
• Frequency Range: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Impedance: 200Ω
• SPL: 128dB
• Sensitivity: 14mV/Pa = -37dB (0dB= 1v/Pa) -10dB
• Equivalent Noise: 17 dB, A-weighted
• Non-linear Distortion: 1% THD @ 1000 Hz (132dB)
• Mic Dimensions: 245mm long, 44mm diameter
• Weight: 775g