#1 easyjim - got your message, just keep forgetting to call.
#2 this project will go on the front burner next week. they will be an infusion of some cash into the house this coming weekend which will allow me to get my machinist going. i am going to do a run of at least 50 cables - 25 pairs - to start + 50 capsule ends only for the CKx > preamp portion of this project.
first project will be the 460 > tsac > ckX setup. (tsac = tapers section active cable - this project has gotten so upside down i figured i owed us all some fun watching bean play w/ this acronym, we can rename it later
). as a part of this, replica MK46 cables could be created but substituting the correct Lemo end for the "colette" end.
the interesting thing i noticed as i reread all three threads last nite, was that no one commented on any differences between the CkxX caps and the CKx caps. the truth of the matter is that the CKxX caps are electret capsules using a pre polarized diaphram. that is why AKG cannot and does not repair them. the CKx caps are true condenser caps.
so i will also be working on a repair solution for the CKxX caps. esp since i have 3 of the CK8X's. all dead. and i _really_ like their sound.
RE: 480 active setups
before i bailed out of the world last year, i did spend some time with a set of 480's. the 480's that i saw did have the bias ring, but it was not connected internally. w/o having my notes handy and relying on memory, i think the 480's will be able to use the 460 > tsac > ckx cable provided that i can "upgrade" peoples' 480 bodies. this mod would have no effect on SQ. AFAIK all 480's used the same front insert so all should have the bias ring.
Lastly, methods for mounting the CKx caps... i would like to make something that only used one "shock mount" to support whatever clamps the caps. but i think there my be more than one good way to do this so please post thoughts, pix, etc and let's hash this out. it would be cost effective to make these pieces when the collettes are being made which pushes design of this right to the front.
i'd like to tip my hat to all that have stuck around over the past year+ and esp to illconditioned who has given much to this topic. again my apologies for jacking you all around.
this won't happen instantly, but there should be steady progress. a couple of the parts could turn out to be pita's.
neil in san marcos