Vanguard Audio Labs

V13 gen2 with BeesNeez CK12 + Cinemag

$1,999.00

Sale Sold out

Vanguard Audio Labs Custom Shop now offering Custom Laser Engraving!

With our new laser engraver, you can add customizations to any of your Vanguard microphones...Studio logos, an inspirational quote, sharks with frickin’ laser beams on their heads…we can do pretty much anything!

When you purchase this, our team will reach out to you to finalize your design. You’ll receive a proof of the design from our team and we will need your final approval before we run the engraving process.

By purchasing, you acknowledge a few considerations -

The rear of the V13 is vented for the tube, so the available engraving space will be necessarily smaller

If purchasing this for a previously-purchased microphone, please note that you will need to ship your microphone body in at your own cost and pay for return shipping.

Gen1 mics utilize a C330 brass material, whereas gen2 mics we are using SUS304 stainless steel material. The look on a gen1 mic will be very different than a gen2.

For logo's or other images, you must upload an exact file of what you would like to create the design. Derek sucks at graphic design, you wouldn't like it anyways.

Due to the customizable one-of-a-kind nature of this process, please note that this makes your purchase non-refundable.

Once the design has written approval, it is set in stone. Requesting any further changes after final approval would warrant an additional engraving charge.

*US pricing only. Customers outside the US, click here for your local distributor*

*These products are built to order and will sometimes take up to six weeks for delivery*

After much consideration, Derek chose for this Custom Shop creation the BeesNeez CK12 capsule. This Australian-made beauty is manufactured using modern automated CNC machining and Ben is extremely knowledgeable of the original CK12s. One of the most complex (and revered) capsule designs ever conceived, the CK12 is the beating heart of some of the most hallowed vintage microphones.

The Vanguard V13 gen2 is a large-diaphragm multi-pattern tube condenser microphone. Crafted by Derek Bargaehr and Ken Avant over the course of 3 years, their design goal was to combine vintage warmth with smooth modern detail. After extensive testing and listening by world-class engineers, we can say with pride that the performance of this mic rivals or exceeds iconic vintage & modern microphones at a fraction of the cost.

The gen2 upgrades include US-made audiophile-grade low-noise resistors, Neutrik® Group Connectors, and a sturdier power supply.

Also featured in this Custom Shop limited edition is a US-made Cinemag™ transformer emulating the properties of the famed T14 transformer found in vintage Austrian microphones. Using a larger core, along with higher-quality alloys and precision windings, the Cinemag obtains better low end response.

Far from a clone, this unique V13 gen2+Ck12+Cinemag edition is a fresh approach to the vintage Austrian sound.

Included Accessories

PS-13 gen2 Power Supply
Padded Pinewood Microphone Box
VLSM Large Shockmount with aerospace-grade suspension rings
Locking Aluminum Carrying Case
7-pin Microphone Cable
Power Cable

Use Cases

Vocals
Acoustic Guitar
Piano
Drum overheads
Electric Guitar
Strings, especially cello
and many more…

For more information: https://www.vanguardaudiolabs.com/products/v13-tube-condenser/

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Features

Capsule & Electronics

BeesNeez CK12 capsule
9 polar patterns (selectable at power supply)
Vacuum tube analog circuitry with premium-grade components
Hand-selected European vacuum tube
Deep-cycle cryogenic treatment of critical signal path components
Transformer-coupled output – humbucking, shielded, dual-bobbin transformer
-10dB pad and low-frequency rolloff toggle switches
Robust redesigned power supply design for ultra-low noise floor
Open-weave headgrills for natural sound with low internal reflections
Vanguard’s proprietary hand-tuned custom voicing

Construction

Heavy-duty brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and zinc metal construction
Rear venting to prolong tube and component life
Open-weave headbasket for low internal reflections and “open-air” voicing
Each V13 comes with its own laser-engraved serial number
Over-spec componentry
Deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish
Polished nickel trim
Precision-cast Vanguard badge
100% Quality Control
5-Year Warranty / 90-day warranty for vacuum tube

Aesthetics

Exquisite deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish
Polished nickel trim
Precision-cast Vanguard badge
Laser-etched model and serial numbers

Specs

Transducer Type: Condenser
Capsule Size: 1.34″ / 34mm (dual-capsule)
Diaphragm Size: 1.04″ / 26.4mm
Electronics Type: Valve/Tube, Transformer-Coupled Output
Output Impedance: 200Ω
Max SPL: 134dB (144dB with pad)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20000Hz
Equivalent Noise Level: ≤13dB (A-weighted)
S/N Ratio: ≥81dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Sensitivity: -35dBV
Output Connector: Male XLR 7-pin gold-plated
High-Pass/Rolloff Switch: 125Hz (6dB/octave)
Attenuation/Pad Switch: -10dB
Finish: Polished nickel trim / High-gloss Pinot Noir
Weight (microphone): 1.07 lbs / 0.48kg
Weight (in case): 11.67 lbs / 5.29kg
Dimensions (microphone): 8.2″ long, 2.05″ diameter / 208mm long, 52mm diameter
Dimensions (case): 16.73″L x 12.80″W x 5.25″H / 425mmL x 325mmW x 142mmH
Voltage Requirement: 110-240V

Accessories

When you buy a V13, you also get a VLSM Heavy-Duty Shockmount. We wanted to rethink the standard “spider-style” shockmount of old, and designed the VLSM with a few nifty features. First is the open front, which allows you to position the microphone as close to the source as necessary. Second, we install aerospace-grade suspension rings that won’t break, sag, crack, or stretch over time. This shockmount was designed to fit any microphone with M22x1 threading, so you also can use it with a number of microphones from other manufacturers.

The V13 also comes with the redesigned PS-13 gen2 power supply, which allows you to select any of 9 available polar patterns on your microphone. We encourage you to experiment with the different polar patterns, as each one changes the frequency response of the microphone. The PS-13 can operate from 110-240V. A 7-pin XLR Neutrik® Group cable connects the PS-13 to the V13.

When not in use, your V13 should be stored in its padded pinewood box with the included dessicant packets.

The black aluminum locking carrying case with the V13 keeps your microphone, cables, and power supply in one place, and includes a slot for a spare vacuum tube. 12AX7, 12AT7, and 12AY7 tube types will work with the V13 microphone. Folks who experiment sonically with NOS tubes can feel safe using these tube types.

Included Accessories

PS-13 gen2 Power Supply with Neutrik® audio connectors
Padded Pinewood Microphone Box
VLSM Large Shockmount with aerospace-grade suspension rings
Locking Aluminum Carrying Case
Heavy-Gauge 7-pin Microphone Cable with REAN® Connectors
Power Cable

Testimonials

"I have 110 mics in my collection. I said I would not buy anymore. Then I tried the V13. I now have 112."

Curtis Paul - Customer

"Few mics I've used sound so pleasant, warm, full and bright without hype. And I've never encountered a microphone that's so expensive-sounding at this price point."

Rob Tavaglione - Reviewer

Audio Samples

Real recordings from real customers.

Videos

Reviews, performances, unboxings, and shootouts.

Country/region

V13 gen2 with BeesNeez CK12 + Cinemag