I have a C-1 at home. I have used it direct into a converter (no pre)and it is more natural and warmer than most mics in the price range. It gets a good proximity effect if you dig that kind of thing.
I also have a CD with all of their mics going through Neve, Meek, Trident, V-72, Red-1 pres and through the neve, I thought it sounded like a million bucks. If you have a good pre, you can get a little gold from it but then again, you could from a '57 as well.
oh, well .02.