New ADK Custom Shop Z-Mods, in Color!

[Kyle Ashley]

Classy color palette and presentation for sure! Can you provide pricing and availability at this time?

[tenchijin2]

Those look really nice. Thanks for sharing, Greg. Can't wait to hear how they sound.
Aric

[Greg B]

Originally Posted by Kyle Ashley

Classy color palette and presentation for sure! Can you provide pricing and availability at this time?

There's a small number available now. We received our first shipment today. Pricing is currently $3,499 "Retail", and about $2800 "street".

[Multicore]

Looks interesting!, $3,000.00? Top of the Top Shelf. Might have to get one for the collection.

I was curious where they are made? It mentions that the capsules are installed and tested in the US, but what about the rest of the mic?

Mainly curious who in the US installs the capsules and what procedure is then done to test them? In other words is there like a clean room with B&K analysis equipment used in an anechoic chamber creating a readout of the finished and assembled microphone and capsule performance, or does someone simply mount and solder in a capsule and listen to it by ear?

I know Larry said that to build a microphone, you need to have a clean room and an anechoic chamber. Does he use these for the top of the top shelf mics?

It would seem the only way to test a mic in those conditions is after it's fully assembled with the capsule installed.

I like the colors, but who came up with those names?? Ruby Lips? Top Banana ?....ewww...

Good luck with the mics! Look forward to seeing some MIX reviews!

~Multi

[Greg B]

Originally Posted by Multicore

Looks interesting!, $3,000.00? Top of the Top Shelf. Might have to get one for the collection.

I was curious where they are made? It mentions that the capsules are installed and tested in the US, but what about the rest of the mic?

Mainly curious who in the US installs the capsules and what procedure is then done to test them? In other words is there like a clean room with B&K analysis equipment used in an anechoic chamber creating a readout of the finished and assembled microphone and capsule performance, or does someone simply mount and solder in a capsule and listen to it by ear?
~Multi

The "Z-Mods" are considered 9-Way upgrades from ADK's Audiophile Series TT Tube Microphone. You can buy a Z-Mod which has all the upgrades completed off-the-shelf, or if you already own an ADK TT, one or all of the upgrades can be added anytime. Either way, the upgrades are all performed at the ADK Custom Shop by Kevin Dale in Tacoma, WA and include capsule-swap, tube upgrade, PC-Board upgrade, Transformer upgrade, Silver Accusound XLR and 7-Pin Cables, and now their powder-coated chassis and chrome grille which helps visually distinguish them from a standard TT or TT-Au. Prior to these new "Z-Mods", you could already order all the same internal component upgrades for the TT, called the "Full Mod" package (which has been called the CS-12, CS-251, etc.). So the Z-Mods are the same as the CS "Full Mods" (inside) but not on the outside. So "Top-of-the-top-shelf" means if you want every upgrade that ADK Custom Shop has to offer, including the new powder-coated chassis,chrome grille, additional tubes, silver cable, etc. then that's the Z-Mod. If you want something in between the Audiophile Series TT and the Z-Mod, then that falls under their "TT-AU" category, which is any TT that has had one of the 3-Zigma AU capsules installed (called TT-251Au, TT-67Au, etc.)

In simple terms, Audiophiles Series TT is stock, "Z-Mod" is a completely modded and upgraded TT, and "TT-Au" is...the road from A to Z.

Originally Posted by Multicore

I like the colors, but who came up with those names?? Ruby Lips? Top Banana ?....ewww...
~Multi

Their current nicknames are not actually found on the mics themselves, The mics have the 3-Zigma badge, sku name (Z-251, Z-67, etc) and the serial number. So you could name it anything you like.

[mikeyman]

out of my price range

[Nate Scott]

Thumbs up on the cosmetics, that was the last part of the puzzle for the 'ultra-upgrade' package. Will check these out for sure.

[lpkyer]

Somebody has been listening to me. Awesome cosmetics.

[Greg B]

Originally Posted by Nate Scott

Thumbs up on the cosmetics, that was the last part of the puzzle for the 'ultra-upgrade' package. Will check these out for sure.

For the collectors, there are still a couple of Serial #1's available.

[Larry Villella]

I think it should be noted that it took 15 years to
get me to give up on the idea that it only matters
what the microphone sounds like, not the 'bling' !!

My pet joke was Brother Ray didn't care what it looked like . . .

Now that we've finally gotten the "Engine" up to the
level that our golden-ear a-list artists and engineers
are happy with the tonality, did I let the design-team
go ahead and make the outside as nice as the inside.

The Final Extension of giving our designer's a 'blank check'.

As for TESTS:

B&K and Earthworks Sweeps aren't half the gauntlet the Beta Team is!


The Z-12 has passed the Rise Against and Ronnie Brookshire Test

The Z-251 has passed the Chuck Ainlay and Guy Fletcher Test.

The Z-47 has passed the Manhattan Transfer Test. 'Nuff Said.

The Z-67 has passed the Lincoln Brewster Russ Long Test.

The Z-49 is doing a shoot-out with a 1954 Pristine U-47
and we will be happy to get back to you with the results.


It's the Humans, not the Machines, that matter most to us!

Musically yours,

Larry V / ADK)))

[RMJAZZ]

Originally Posted by Larry Villella

I think it should be noted that it took 15 years to
get me to give up on the idea that it only matters
what the microphone sounds like, not the 'bling' !!

My pet joke was Brother Ray didn't care what it looked like . . .

Now that we've finally gotten the "Engine" up to the
level that our golden-ear a-list artists and engineers
are happy with the tonality, did I let the design-team
go ahead and make the outside as nice as the inside.

The Final Extension of giving our designer's a 'blank check'.

As for TESTS:

B&K and Earthworks Sweeps aren't half the gauntlet the Beta Team is!


The Z-12 has passed the Rise Against and Ronnie Brookshire Test

The Z-251 has passed the Chuck Ainlay and Guy Fletcher Test.

The Z-47 has passed the Manhattan Transfer Test. 'Nuff Said.

The Z-67 has passed the Lincoln Brewster Russ Long Test.

The Z-49 is doing a shoot-out with a 1954 Pristine U-47
and we will be happy to get back to you with the results.


It's the Humans, not the Machines, that matter most to us!

Musically yours,

Larry V / ADK)))

I am a HUGE Larry Villella fan, and proud 3 Zigma owner. At least one of these Z Mod mics will find their way into my locker this year. Having tested the 67, 251, and 47, I can truly say that these mics will be a great addition to anyone's collection...and I am NOT a seller of gear. hahahahaha

Unfortunately, when you sell a product to the public, the way it looks goes a long way. It's that way with recordings too.....can't have a great record with a crappy cover design......But I do understand your reluctance to do color choices on the mic body. Although...they look fantastic.

Good work Larry. I'll probably bother on the phone soon with more mic questions as this is a never-ending knowledge quest for me.

Happy Music Making!
Rob

[littlesicily]

Congrats, these Z-Mods LOOK outstanding!

Of course, I already know the CS-67 sounds fantastic.

[Gear Guru]

Originally Posted by RMJAZZ

Unfortunately, when you sell a product to the public, the way it looks goes a long way. It's that way with recordings too.....can't have a great record with a crappy cover design......
Happy Music Making!
Rob

"The Beatles" 1968.

[Gear Guru]

Originally Posted by Larry Villella

The Z-49 is doing a shoot-out with a 1954 Pristine U-47
and we will be happy to get back to you with the results.

Musically yours,

Larry V / ADK)))

Any results?