I think it might be that running v3 really does preserve what the mics hear...problem being that depending on the mic, that's not all that pleasing to the ear. most definitely there is some coloration introduced when running v2>mme, you get that mme pre light in the mix. to me, the 1k pre was a little thin sounding, and running v2>1k, you got a little of that, but running v2>mme, you get a little fat/warmth. Just a theory. I like schoeps>v3 and 140>v3 just fine, no extra color needed. DPA or AKG,,,,different story. Not that the tapes are bad, but not even a little warmth.