Tube Mic mods...

Hey Guys I've been reading up on tube mics and the mods that a lot of folks do.

One of the classics is replacing/upgrading the tube and transformer. My question is are some of these mics a "starved-plate" design where the tube really doesn't play a "key" role in the tone (like my ART tube pre amp).

If so is there a way to tell if it's a "starved-plate" design or not?

I've been looking at the MXL 9000 & 960.

9000:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/mxl-9000-tube-condenser-microphone/273176000000000?src=3WDTWXX


960:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/mxl-960-tube-condenser-microphone


Thanks for any and all input!

KC

A good tube is always gonna sound better than an OK tube. Transformer, well, that gets into the cost/benefit ratio ... would you be better off putting that money into a slightly higher-end mike?

I think you're barking up the right tree, though, and I too would like to know more about the starved-plate syndrome as regards mikes.

This is from Celeste over in DIY AMPS

"A quick google search on the 9000, and it comes with a septate power supply and connects through a 7 conductor cord. That to me suggests that they are not powering the tube off "phantom" power and are giving the tube the voltage it wants"

I knew the tube mics came with a power supply I just didn't know why!

KC