TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik ELA M 251 Microphone, from TELEFUNKEN

The original ELA M 250 and 251 were designed to conform to the power supply standards that were set by both German and Austrian national broadcast companies. This meant that they needed to be designed around the famous AC701/k vacuum tube and work with N52 power supplies made by TAB, Siemens, TELEFUNKEN, etc.

Like their ancestors, the new ELA M 250 and 251 from TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik feature that same amplifier designed around the TELEFUNKEN AC701/k vacuum tube. Coupled with our newly manufactured CK-12 capsule [which is built from the original AKG Acoustics drawings] and the exact output transformer, custom made for us by the original manufacturer, and you have a microphone that is so amazing, you won't believe your ears.

The ELA M 250 and 251 still exhibit the same detail and presence as the ELA M 250E and 251E, yet they are slightly smoother sounding than their "E" version counterparts. This can be attributed to the AC701/k vacuum tube, which has a particularly pleasing musical quality. It has been stated by a couple of experts that the reason for this is the physical size of the tube. Since the tube is so small, it is possible to excite a lot of electrons very quickly, which contributes to the silky "top end" and slightly smoother midrange for which these microphones are known.

Both the ELA M 250 and 251 are available in very limited quantities, due to the rarity of the AC701/k tube. Contact your favorite TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik reseller for pricing and availability.