Topic: DPA 402x - service not being discontinued

[acidjack]

As I was worried about them possibly running out of parts if the 402x is discontinued, and have wanted to have my cables shortened on my 4021s for awhile, I emailed DPA today about getting a checkup done and having the cables chopped (my current ones are 13ft). 

DPA's response was as follows.  Doesn't look like the 402x are going away.  Also - pretty nice to offer a free checkup. I believe for Schoeps it's quite a bit more.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of our mics.  As for service for the 4021 that will not be stopped or discontinued.  But if you still would like me to verify them I sure can.  I do need to issue you a RA#.  If you want me to shorten the cable I can do that too.  If you have your cable shorten I will not charge anything to verify the working order, just $25 for each mic you want shortened.  For I will not need any new parts I can use your current connectors and re-solder it to your desired length.  Please let me know you would like to go through with it.  I will needs a little more info from you to issue the RA#, like return shipping address, and phone number.  Once the mics arrive our turnaround is approx 5-7 business days.
 
Sincerely,
 
Shan Siebert
DPA Service Department"

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slight nuance in the title; it looks like service won't be discontinued, I don't see where it's implied that manufacturing won't be.

[acidjack]

^^^ mm, that's true.  I guess at least if they will keep servicing the existing units, that won't destroy their resale value.

[su6oxone]

Great service from DPA!  Nice for them to do a free checkup (!) and shorten your cables for a pretty bargain price, I can't imagine how much it would cost for Schoeps to do the same, or if they would do it at all.  It helps that they actually have a service department in the US.  Are you shortening them for stealthing? 

[acidjack]

^^^ Debating shortening them to some degree for the occasional  but also because almost everything I do (running from balcony, running stand at 7.5-8ft) doesn't require all that extra cable, and the extra cable gets in the way, meaning I either have to wrap it up with cable ties, or worry about tripping on it or whatever.  For the times when I run high, I'd rather just get some 5ft extenders, I think...

Of course, that still begs the question of what the cables should be chopped to.  I'm debating something like 8-9 ft, but not sure if that's still going to be unwieldy for stealth work.... any thoughts?

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^^^ Debating shortening them to some degree for the occasional  but also because almost everything I do (running from balcony, running stand at 7.5-8ft) doesn't require all that extra cable, and the extra cable gets in the way, meaning I either have to wrap it up with cable ties, or worry about tripping on it or whatever.  For the times when I run high, I'd rather just get some 5ft extenders, I think...

Of course, that still begs the question of what the cables should be chopped to.  I'm debating something like 8-9 ft, but not sure if that's still going to be unwieldy for stealth work.... any thoughts?

In some ways it's unfortunate they won't terminate them in mini-xlrs, then just do 2.5-3' and be done with it . If you do intend to stealth with them, and you know this will be your stealth mics, then go for 4-5' (measure where you'd run them, and add 6-12") and then just have a series of balanced XLRs made in 3', 6', 9' and so on so that when the situation to run openly and length becomes an issue, you can clip on the extra distance.

[OFOTD]

In some ways it's unfortunate they won't terminate them in mini-xlrs,

Remember that in the 402x series there are electronics that fill up every free space in the full size XLR ends.

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In some ways it's unfortunate they won't terminate them in mini-xlrs,

Remember that in the 402x series there are electronics that fill up every free space in the full size XLR ends.

exactly what I was heading toward. I guess looking back, "won't" is a mis-statement, in that "can't" is probably more apt.

[OFOTD]

Many times I have looked at the end of my 4023's and wished I could have different length mini-XLR's. 

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Many times I have looked at the end of my 4023's and wished I could have different length mini-XLR's.

I've always wondered if it is possible to put a lemo pair in line so that I can run either short or short+extension between the 4023 caps and XLR.  I don't want 15ft of wire where I'm going tonight but I also don't want to have to carry XLR cables when I want to run from a tall stand.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

slight nuance in the title; it looks like service won't be discontinued, I don't see where it's implied that manufacturing won't be.

As DATBRAD pointed out in another thread, DPA has the 402x series listed as "Discontinued" on the Manual page (http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/download/manuals.aspx) but the mics themselves still have a product page on the site with no mention of them being discontinued > http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/products.aspx?c=Item&category=187&item=24026.  Interesting.

All that aside, I'd be surprised if DPA would refuse to service any of their mics, regardless of age, as long as you're willing to pay for it.

[scb]

All that aside, I'd be surprised if DPA would refuse to service any of their mics, regardless of age, as long as you're willing to pay for it.

as long as they have the parts

[scb]

Many times I have looked at the end of my 4023's and wished I could have different length mini-XLR's. 

you can always get a second set of cables from dpa, though it's not cheap...