DPA 4003s vs 4006TL (recording grand piano)

[wanderer]

I'm considering investing in a matched pair of mics DPA 4006TL or 4003. I have read discussions on the disadvantages of the "combo" 4003-HMA5000, and I have them in mind. I´m not engineer, but pianist (classical) and would use the mics for recording repertoire for solo piano and chamber music with piano. I won´t give them other uses.
My dilemma is that there are significant differences between 4003 and 4006TL, assuming that I´d connect the respective pairs to a millennia HV3 (130v), and given that their use will be reduced to classical recordings with piano and chamber music. Does the 4003 get better sound? If so, do you believe this improvement is worth it?.. and whys.
I would appreciate further information on this subject (I´ve read something in other threads) ... as well as on compensation and disadvantages of either, and any advice.</SPAN></SPAN>

[rumleymusic]

I use on occasion 4006's from the B&K days. The 4003 was an improvement with faster response and better transparency IMO. Now with the TL models, I hear that the difference is not so obvious. I personally would go for the 4006 over the 03 for the sake of power availability.

[David Rick]

My feeling is that the 4003 still has a slight advantage -- maybe until somebody starts texting near the (unbalanced) cable. If you routinely put your preamp rack close to the stage, there's probably no issue, but I'm increasingly cautious about the hundred foot cable runs I used to use.

Unless the recording arrangement makes it inadvisable, I still put up my 4003's. If there are logistical issues, I put up 4006-TL's instead, and I don't lose a bit of sleep over it. They sound great.

Of course, it depends on what kind of piano sound you're looking for. I still keep a pair of the original (tranformer) 4006's in my kit, because I have a client who likes the softer attack.

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[wanderer]

Thanks for your answers.
I imagine that the differences are subtle, but I wonder which one favors this type of sound ... which one that other... etc

Emilio

[wanderer]

Hi David...
Could you tell me what kind of logistical issues force you to use the 4000TL pair instead of the 4003?

[didier.brest]

David said that he has to put the preamp close to the 4003 because the audio link between these mics and the preamp that shall deliver a 130 V power supply specific to some mics from DPA and B&K is unbalanced. I guess that this is the logistic issue that may make him prefer using the 4006s that can be much further from the preamp because the audio link is balanced. Moreover the 4006s work with a normal 48V power supply.

[wanderer]

I know… but I meant… what kind of recording situations force you to separate the mics and the preamp to render impractical the use of the 4003.

[hughesmr]

No personal experience doing it myself, but I have heard solo grand piano in a nice space through 4006TLs and the Forrsell pre, and I must say it was a glorious combination.

[sonare]

I have owned/used all three and while the older 4006 definitely has a transformer sound, there is VERY little difference between the 4003 and 4006TL, and not having to fool with an HMA or stay within the 50ft mic cable limit is nice.

I find the sound much more refined with the trapezoidal grills rather than the "normal" silver ones. Lots of enthusiasm towards the nose cones by some.

If you want to hear the 4006TL in action-- I used them as mains on the NAXOS - Houston Symphony Zemlinsky recording.

Rich