Topic: DPA Price Increase...Or Not...

[aaronji]

I just bought some mics from a DPA dealer who told me that they are about to increase their prices.  He said he thought before the end of the year, but wasn't exactly sure when (or by how much)...

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I just bought some mics from a DPA dealer who told me that they are about to increase their prices.  He said he thought before the end of the year, but wasn't exactly sure when (or by how much)...

 

thats a hell of a buzz kill from your other thread. 6 months from now, I'd have been totally cool with that, but now? 

[aaronji]

^^^ No doubt.  That's why I acted now, even though (especially at this time of the year) funds are kind of tight...

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^^^ No doubt.  That's why I acted now, even though (especially at this time of the year) funds are kind of tight...

yeah, drastic times call for drastic measures... People may just have to skip Christmas presents from me this year. 

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

So the Eurozone is crashing into oblivion and their answer is to up their prices?  Good move. 

[mr qpl]

I always think it's a better idea to raise prices than to lower quality. I've seen a number of businesses go down due to lack of service and reliability. DPA sure seems high up there on both counts to me, and I hope they stay the same there. Given that there's still 3-5% inflation, despite the overall unemployment, etc, I wonder how most businesses are managing to keep going.....cheers from a DPA usera and a big fan of their stuff!

[F.O.Bean]

So the Eurozone is crashing into oblivion and their answer is to up their prices?  Good move. 

No doubt. The ONLY upside to that is the gear, used, carries a higher value

[acidjack]

I always think it's a better idea to raise prices than to lower quality. I've seen a number of businesses go down due to lack of service and reliability. DPA sure seems high up there on both counts to me, and I hope they stay the same there. Given that there's still 3-5% inflation, despite the overall unemployment, etc, I wonder how most businesses are managing to keep going.....cheers from a DPA usera and a big fan of their stuff!

One thing that can't be argued with IMHO is that DPA's U.S. service is outstanding - much more convenient and less of a hassle than, say, Schoeps.  Dealing with DPA (I just had cables shortened, so not a terribly complex operation) for me was seamless and took 2 weeks door to door.  With Schoeps you have to have Redding Audio ship your stuff to Germany, where depending on how many holidays are going on (forget about it in August, or this time of year) you're talking a minimum of 2 months. 

They are a great manufacturer and their products are worth what they charge for them. On a related note, I'm not selling my 4021s anymore... 

[F.O.Bean]

I always think it's a better idea to raise prices than to lower quality. I've seen a number of businesses go down due to lack of service and reliability. DPA sure seems high up there on both counts to me, and I hope they stay the same there. Given that there's still 3-5% inflation, despite the overall unemployment, etc, I wonder how most businesses are managing to keep going.....cheers from a DPA usera and a big fan of their stuff!

On a related note, I'm not selling my 4021s anymore... 

hehe smart move

[Ziggz]

So now might be the hour to jump on a pair? Can Core-sound wire them to a 1/8" plug, or just that weird battery box setup?

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So now might be the hour to jump on a pair? Can Core-sound wire them to a 1/8" plug, or just that weird battery box setup?

The 406x series? if so, you might inquire if Ted or Rob can make an adaptor cable so you don't have to get them chopped. I think the Colorado office of DPA sells microdot connectors for use in cabling, maybe not (I'm working off of memory of another thread).

[acidjack]

So now might be the hour to jump on a pair? Can Core-sound wire them to a 1/8" plug, or just that weird battery box setup?

Chris Church chopped my coresound setup to a 1/8".

But I agree with Page - best thing is to not chop it and get an adapter, if it's possible.

[Ziggz]

Thanks. It would probably mess up the warranty having them chopped.

Would 2 of these + adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/282485-REG/DPA_Microphones_4061_BM_4061_Omnidirectional_Miniature_Low_Sensitivity.html

or the kit + adapter do the job?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/483055-REG/DPA_Microphones_SMK4061_SMK4061_Stereo_Microphone_Kit.html

Or Core-sound's pair into a single mini-xlr without battery box:
High End Binaural microphone set (DPA 4061), configured for Mic2496 (no battery box)


Would prefer an adapter so I can run these into CA-9100 or SP 12v battery box.

[Gutbucket]

Thanks. It would probably mess up the warranty having them chopped.

Nope, just don't cut the serial number tag off along with the connector and the mic will still be warranted.
Waranty on the miniatures is 1 year on the mic but does not cover the connector anyway.

Crimping new microdot connectors requires a special DPA tool.  Not sure if the cable builders here have that.   Core-Sound has the DPA microdot crimp tools and can make new adapter cables.  I got my 1st pair from Len years ago.  The adapters also have male microdots and connect to the mics with female barrel connectors, just like the DPA extension cables.  I've since built my own by splicing previousy cut-off microdots that still had some cable attached to them and buying barrel connectors from DPA.  They are costy little buggers.   Chris Church reported a few months back that he has an alternate, non-DPA source for microdots for probably considerably less cost than waht DPA charges.  I bet he can build adapters.

[Gutbucket]

Wondering if the price increase will effect the miniature series.  Specifically the 4060/1 common around here and the 4099.  I'm considering trying a pair of 4099, but don't really want to jump on it just yet.