Topic: AKG 460 , 12V or 48V Phantom Power?

[eclark]

My AKG C 460 B preamps say "P12 - 48" on the body. Does this mean I can use Phantom Power 12V with them? Is the lower voltage going to have much effect on the sound quality?  Also, how much effect is the lower voltage going have have on the battery life of the 2xAA batteries in my SD MixPre-D?

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My AKG C 460 B preamps say "P12 - 48" on the body. Does this mean I can use Phantom Power 12V with them? Is the lower voltage going to have much effect on the sound quality?  Also, how much effect is the lower voltage going have have on the battery life of the 2xAA batteries in my SD MixPre-D?

the AKGs will tollerate anywhere in that range and a little additional on either end (typically referred to as 11-52). Sound quality won't change, it's just whats getting fed to the DC converters in the bodies. The effect on your preamp battery life should be an improvement.

There is some other thread on here about it, but the search function smites me some days.

[eclark]

The effect on your preamp battery life should be an improvement.

any type of formula where I can calculate how much of an improvement? i'm not an electrical engineer, so I don't really understand these things 

[datbrad]

I always run 48V on my 460s because power is not an issue for me, but my understanding is that you will get far more battery life at 12V with no loss in mic peformance with the 460s.

[jibooer]

I've ran both with success. Go for it!

[spyder9]

I have a Sound Devices MP2 where I have used Energizer Advanced lithium batteries to power my 460s.  With the SD MP2 Set at P48, the 460's got consistent 15 hours of run time.  Around the 16 hour mark, is when I always lost power.

Question:  Would I really beat 15 hours if I changed it to P15 on the SD MP2?  Or are the 460's configured as power-sippers and it doesn't matter what I have the phantom power set at?  Please advise.  Thanks. 

[spyder9]

Awesome.  ^^  Thanks Jon.  That's the answer I was looking for.  +T