Topic: Custom AKG "active" cables

[musicsherlock]

so, do we have anyone here willing/able to construct extension cables for AKG 300's and/or 460's?  I'm leaning in that direction and would like to know my options before I commit.

JAH, leegeddy?

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

Me too. I e-mailed JKLabs about the exact same thing yesterday but haven't heard back yet.

[Swampy]

They make them for the 300s right? Do you think someone else could make them much cheaper?

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

AKG used to make them for the 460's but haven't for years. There was one on eBay recently.

[bluegrass_brad]

INteresting thing about the "active" cables that AKG made for the 460's.  They didnt use the CK capsules that the 480's and 460's normally use.  They actually used a special capsule that was a electret made by AKG (think nakamichi and sony) and not a true condensor.  I got this straight from a guy at AKG whom I emailed about it.  There is also a post about it on the AKG forums.  So Im sure they sound great, but I doubt they sound as good as the JK labs solution, as they arent a true condensor mic.  Interesting....eh?!

http://www2.akg.com/akg_structuretree/forum/topics/powerslave,_detail,1,id,441,_language,EN,nodeid,5,mynodeid,105.html

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

Yep, here's the extension tube he was referring to:



They're really expensive though... over $200 each, if I remember right.

[goose]

AKG used to make them for the 460's but haven't for years. There was one on eBay recently.

That guy actually sold a pair of them, but offered them in separate auctions about a week apart.  For future reference, if you see them come up on ebay, ask the seller if he has a pair.  That is how I got mine even though the auction was only for one cable.

[Sanjay]

JK labs had told me he cannot construct active cables for the 300 series because of the irregular shape of the connector.  The only way would be to order the ends from AKG USA for around $200 for the pair and solder your own cable in between, a much cheaper route.  Downsides to this are the possibility of screwing it up as the diagrams I have show it to be a very hard connection to make.  I am in the same boat looking for them as I just got a steal off ebay for a set of 393's for $300. 

[Nick's Picks]

Carl and I looked into making actives for the 480s once a couple of years ago.
We talked to Marc Nutter about it...apparently he tried it.  The plan was to disect the gooseneck option.  That is what marc did as well...but he said the finished product had a nasty buzz that he could not eliminate.

JK labs seems the way to go.  Might as well do it right.

[JAH]

AKG used to make them for the 460's but haven't for years. There was one on eBay recently.

Last night 2 ck3x hyprs and one cable ann one clip went on Ebay for almost $200.
These extensions are nice for the 460's and made for the ckx caps...I had the housing autocad'ed and machined to accept the normal 460/480 CK caps and has the LEMO conn on it so it plugs and plays but still have to fab the active ckty to make it work....I have the ckty but need to buid it....my problem is time...life/wife/kids adn trying to get some other things done too....and it hasn't been a burning issue since I have the 140's....I have picked it back up again and will order the parts.
 Eventually I'll have the 460/480's available but haveno intention of messing w/ the 300's. sorry.

Carl and I looked into making actives for the 480s once a couple of years ago.
We talked to Marc Nutter about it...apparently he tried it. The plan was to disect the gooseneck option. That is what marc did as well...but he said the finished product had a nasty buzz that he could not eliminate.

JK labs seems the way to go. Might as well do it right.

yes Marc's were noisey and that is an issue w/ such a small signal...JK has something in production and may be your fastest solution.

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

Me too. I e-mailed JKLabs about the exact same thing yesterday but haven't heard back yet.

Here's my reply from JKLabs about active cables for the 460's:

Thank you for your interest in our active cables.

First, the ck63 is no problem.

Sadly the c460b is a problem. We don't offer active cables that mates
with
the 460b main body for these main reasons:
a) low volume: making the necessary threaded cannister in small
numbers is
too tedious.
b) time-consuming(=costly): making the insert with electrical
connectors is
very tedious
c) less than ideal: the electrical interface provided by the 460 is
awkward
sonically (and puts
restrictions on what I can do in the head).

In light of this I decided against going that route. With my own
electronics
all options are open to me: Stellar heads, cleanest signal path,
noiseless
power, dedicated gain stages, lowest profile and I can tailor units
to most
any need.

Anyways, I do see the cost issue etc. So to make it short: actives
between
the CK63 cap and 460 main body means YOU make the terminating
connectors.

BUT, I can easily ( I need to check but I think this is possible)
interface
AKG actives with the MBHO 603a main bodies. But this assumes you
have the
ones with miniXLR input. The 603 isn't entirely stellar either but it
is
acceptable (and it can be modded - especially the bass can be
tightened and
extended).

Regards
Jon
JK Labs

>Hi... I came across your website and am wondering if it's possible
to
>get a set of active cables threaded for use with my AKG ck63
capsules
>AND the c460b bodies? I'm not necessarily interested in the complete
>DVC setup because I previously had my 460 bodies modified and would
>like to continue using them, but just be a little more stealthy.
From
>what I see on the website, I'm guessing they'd have to be custom
>made? AKG used to sell active cables but apparantly no longer does.
>I've included a picture of what I'm looking for. Please let me know
>if you can help.
>
>Thanks...
>Steve

[jk labs]

My "reply" below was actually prefaced with this statement:

"As for your questions - this is clipped from another reply sent out a few days ago (with a skilled machinist)".

If I now add that the person referred to also owned a pair of MBHO 603 bodies well then uhhhrmmm
one can even start to see a trace of logic in the words  .. :-).

[jk labs]

JK labs had told me he cannot construct active cables for the 300 series because of the irregular shape of the connector.  The only way would be to order the ends from AKG USA for around $200 for the pair and solder your own cable in between, a much cheaper route.  Downsides to this are the possibility of screwing it up as the diagrams I have show it to be a very hard connection to make.  I am in the same boat looking for them as I just got a steal off ebay for a set of 393's for $300. 

The connector used on the 300 is an asymetrical bayonett connector. It is not easily copied without specialized tools. Anyone trying to copy the Blue Line 390 extension cables would need to make _four_ connectors. And then four inserts securing the electrical connectivity.

But the electronics in the cable is easy: there is none. So add cable and voila. This latter fact also means that there is NO room for sonic improvement or refinery in the cable whatsoever.

There is an alternative for those really wanting a low key solution.  There is a bit of electronics inside all of the BLue Line capsules. With some effort it's possible to wire the capsule alone directly to a dedicated power unit (or hardsolder into the 300 body). The capsules are electret and the total system could be very low key. But then the question becomes: what to do with the 300 bodies...

[musicsherlock]

round-a T's fellas. Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm gonna go with 391/3's and bite the bullet on the AKG extensions for low-profile/stealth applications... the 460's are just getting too dated for me to fuss with.