This looks like an interesting capsule. Is the Josephson c617 the way to go for this capsule? I tried to get info from the European site since I think they use high voltage.

Josephson's c617 body makes the MK221 capsule useable with any preamp that has 48v phantom. The Josephson c617set is their c617 body with an MK221 capsule. It's a world-class combination. They also sell matched pairs.

I'm also wondering what differences the same capsule would show between high voltage use and 48V phantom power. Maybe it's a slight difference. The capsule is interesting since it's nickel and can be calibrated. That seems like a recording tool you can use for 10 years, maintain calibration, then years later it's still like a brand new mic. That's why I'm interested in the Royer ribbon mics too. Dust etc that alters large diaphragm condensers seems less likely to affect metal diaphragm capsule designs. And the MK221 is enclosed to keep things maintained.

Of course it wouldn't be wise to use an MK221 with less than its rated voltage. The Josephson body steps up 48v to 200v.

I wonder how the Josephson body does in relation to the Microtech Gefell high voltage bodies. Maybe it's so close, it doesn't matter. Using the Josephson makes it expedient here in the US though. That capsule seems like a great omni, a split between the 1/4" and 1" diaphragms, perfect sweet spot for widest use. Seems like the quality of the Microtech Gefell is in the same league as the B&K and DPA mics.

Unfortunately, the price too...

All those good ones are pricey. As long as I can understand how to maintain them, and, hopefully have them decades, it's all good.

Just try both bodies and you will see. OK, not so helpful this sentence even when you see that I´m the german dealer for Josephson. But as a dealer I wouldn´t give you the advice to try both if I knew the result could be bad for me. See what I mean?

http://www.josephson.com/pdf/C617set_ds.pdf

The C617 with Mk221 Nickel Capsule is one of my all time favorite microphones for everything. It might be THE fastest attack microphone I think I have ever heard. And I have used the B&K's before, which I loved. I feel the C617 with Mk221 has more headroom for close range/direct sources, and I found that it is less susceptible to low frequency coloration. It is a remarkable distance microphone, but I am very fond of this microphone in certain places. The Articulation, Detail, width, breath and accuracy of this configuration rivals the best in my experience. It is sought after for its incredible dynamic, sense of space and realism. David J builds outstanding products that "preform" on another level from all competitors. I am quite sure they work very close with MTG on this product and therefor achieve something very special.

I'd love to understand the sound difference between the regular mic body and Josephson mic body. I don't know how that's possible though. Maybe this is possible to do at the Josephson factory? I'll bet both options are awesome. And, in the future, this modular system allows other capsule use too. I have to research to see if the 1/4 and 1 inch capsules fit on the same width body. Of course this makes me wonder how the above-mentioned SDC makers compare with Schoeps. CMC6 regular and tube models are interesting also for their modularity. The notable difference to me is the metal vs. traditional diaphragm construction between something like Schoeps and Microtech Gefell capsules. The Gefell's seem to offer better capsule integrity / longevity but maybe that's not really true. I have Studio Projects C4 omni / cardioids that sound nice for now, I got them just to understaned the omni vs cardioid pattern differences without spending too much. I read an article with one engineer that threw up a kick and snare mic, then 2 tube Schoeps, 4 mics on the drums, done. Nice and simple. That was his technique most of the time - Bill Bottrell was the guy.

Kelley at Josephson Engineering is a great guy who'll answer your questions by phone whenever he can spare some time. He was helpful to me before I bought a pair.

Good idea. With their two 7 series mics also, more questions are sure to emerge.