Hi,
I've a few capsules I want to send to Schoeps for a service and clean, so just interested to know if mic amps are part of peoples routine servicing.
I have 4 CMC-5 and 3 CMC-4, never serviced by me and bought second hand, - these don't have any tangible issues, - sonically or electronically.

How often do you service these or do they continue to work for most people?

Cheers.

FWIW, I have heads cleaned fairly regularly, every 3-5 years (and I don't record in adverse conditions anymore) but I have never sent an amp back to Schoeps.

YMMV

D.

Yes it is recommended to inspect and service the amplifier bodies. When I have sent mine Schoeps has updated components, replaced dried out electronic parts, upgraded circuitry, and even refinished the CMC mic body.

I have also had the factory paint some of my CMC amps different colors.

Preserve in spec operation by having used equipment serviced.

Thanks both for the replies.


What do you think of servicing vintage (earlier than 1990) capsules?

I have the chance to buy a pair and am trying them out, - thinking they might match (as they were advertised as a pair) but one is 1.2db quieter, testing with a logarithmic sine sweep and yet, the quiet one has peaks in certain freqs,3db higher than the louder capsule. So nowhere near matched.

Also the mesh is dark and these have evidently had a life.
I suppose I just need to work out the point at which it makes sense to save money and buy new.

I have not heard such differences between preamps....my CMC-4 and CMC-5 seem to have no audible differences and dried out electronics would, we can assume make a difference.

It's not such an easy call.... especially with the vintage stuff as price for servicing increases with age. I know the feeling well!

I have vintage Schoeps capsules going back to the 70’s. Some of them still work perfectly which I have confirmed it by measuring them against new ones but some of them clearly have performance characteristics shifted to a point that I no longer can use them. I would venture to guess Schoeps probably would just swap new ones for me if I was to send them back for service. A couple of amplifier bodies had their filtering caps died on me (shorted) and one or two of them had their front-end FET transistors developed noise. I was able to replace the bad parts myself, so all my vintage amps work exactly like the new ones.

Schoeps service can take some time and is pretty expensive (plus shipping), but for me the result has always been a mic that looked and sounded like new. Pretty amazing service in these times of "no support beyond warranty period".

Any experience with upgrading T-Power amp bodies, - interested to know of there are any techs modding these to work on 48v phantom power.

There used to be a guy in Texas who did fine, fine work converting CMC4 amps into CMC5s. He no longer does that work, alas.

This guy has a good reputation but I have no personal experience:

https://billthompson.us/bt/

D,

Send them to Rens Heijnis.
http://www.rensheijnis.com/Schoeps.htm

Yeah, that's a whole different animal right?

It is, it seems, relatively simple to change 12V T-power Schoeps amps to P48. Rens conversions to 60v and the like is much more complicated and expensive, even as some say it matters.

D.

Not necessarily. Rens can put in a 48V circuit too. Could be a good option for the older CMC4 or 5 bodies to extend their life.

My 4006TL were converted to Rens 48V circuit, because I had to hang them in the concert hall.

Okay, good to know.

Just curious. What were your 4006-TLs, powering-wise, before Rens got them? Or did he just replace the DPA P48 boards with a Rens P48 board? I ask because all my 4006-TLs are P48.

D.

Most of old Schoeps circuit boards have provision for phantom as well as T powering circuits. Same circuit board can be used for either system, depending on certain parts to be used and where they are installed. The circuit traces and pre-drilled holes are all there. It is not that difficult to convert T power body to phantom power.

In regard to the power supply voltage, DPA will be far easier to deal with since the capsules are electret and does not need polarization supply. On the other hand, if you can commit to 60V phantom power requirement, either using a dedicated 60 volt phantom power supply, or modify your mic preamp to supply 60V, it makes things easier for Schopes conversion to 60V supply because Schoeps uses 60V for their capsule polarization, so you can ditch the in-build DC to DC polarization power circuit. Higher voltage translates to higher overload limit and zero DC to DC power supply switching noise. However, keep in mind, the extra overload margin comes from higher voltage supply is all but academic than reality, unless you insist on inserting the mic inside of a trumpet bell.

All P48, they were standard 4006TL originals. P48 before conversion, P48 after.

So Rens might do a simple 12T to 48ph Schoeps mod? That is great if true now that Pete Verrando has retired.

Or ask Schoeps how much for a CMC6 circuit to be put into older body.

Rens Heijnis replaces the entire circuit board with one of his own design. Changing from T-Power to 48 volt means you get his wonderful version.

I don't know how much that is but Rens charges EURO 375 to convert from 48 volt to 60 volt. What you want probably a similar charge.

A recent 48V board replacement for DPA 4006TL from Rens cost me €360 per microphone. The same replacement that David Spearritt had done for his 4006TL's. Without this replacement the DPA's sounded very unattractive for me, now they are a real asset to the toolbox.

A few years back I paid €295 per microphone for the Schoeps 48V retrofit from Rens. Just so you have an indication of where the cost is hovering.

Yes, similar findings. I am finding I am using 4006 for mains for almost every concert now.

I have a CMC6 body that is not yet two years old and is suddenly real noisy. Just sent back and am told it will be 6 weeks. ugh....