Royer SF-24V vs. Avantone CK-40

[Starstreet]

I know it is a quite unfair thread. Both microphones play in a completely different league. But I found it interesting to show you the sound of the two microphones and I am curious about your opinion. The CK-40 is a good value for the money.
Both files are recorded in XY-stereo without any EQ/Compressor. Just the dry guitar samples.
I have used the following equipment to record the files:

Massenburg GML 2020
Vovox cables
Motu HD192
Avantone CK-40
Royer SF-24V (not SF-24)

[didier.brest]

Very unfair indeed. What a difference ? The Royer is fuller, warmer, more detailed, more...
Did you compare the SF24V with the SF24 or SF12 ?
Thank you for sharing.

[Starstreet]

Originally Posted by didier.brest

Very unfair indeed. What a difference ? The Royer is fuller, warmer, more detailed, more...
Did you compare the SF24V with the SF24 or SF12 ?
Thank you for sharing.

I have never heard the SF-24 or SF-12. I have read a lot of times, that the SF-24V sounds better and has more high frequencies.

But I must say, that you need a really noisefree preamp. I've had some trouble with the Massenburg and the SF-24V. The technician of the German distributor of Royer formerly worked for Brauner microphones. He told me, that the Brauner VMA is 18 dB louder than the SF-24V. If your preamp is a little bit noisy, you will amplify those 18 dB. Especially in a MS-Stereo recording, where the sides are not as loud as the mid signal, you will probably hear some noise. Maybe a Great River MP-2NV is a better combination, despite of the really good sound of the Massenburg.

[Earcatcher]

Originally Posted by Starstreet

I have never heard the SF-24 or SF-12. I have read a lot of times, that the SF-24V sounds better and has more high frequencies.

But I must say, that you need a really noisefree preamp. I've had some trouble with the Massenburg and the SF-24V. The technician of the German distributor of Royer formerly worked for Brauner microphones. He told me, that the Brauner VMA is 18 dB louder than the SF-24V. If your preamp is a little bit noisy, you will amplify those 18 dB. Especially in a MS-Stereo recording, where the sides are not as loud as the mid signal, you will probably hear some noise. Maybe a Great River MP-2NV is a better combination, despite of the really good sound of the Massenburg.

My SF-24 loves my Lake People MIC-AMP F355 with class A option. Not only is this preamp very low noise and extremely flat in response curve, but it somehow seems to react very well with the Royer at all levels. The Royer becomes less noisy and more transparent with it. I can only assume that the F355 will be a great combo with the SF-24V as well.

[creative.control]

That SF-24v sounds lovely! Amazing mid range and stereo field!

Agree about preamp noise though!