Golden Age Premier debuts GA-47 MK2 and GA-251 MK2 vintage mic replicas

11 Dec 2020 by Lyubomir Dobrev | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Golden Age Premier GA-251 MK2 · Source: Golden Age Premier

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Swedish manufacturer Golden Age Project has announced the release of two vintage condenser microphone replicas branded under its Premier moniker. These are the GA-47 MKII and GA-251 MKII, described as refined and improved versions of their predecessors. There is no information about the exact changes whatsoever, so we reached out to GA asking for details. We will update the post if we get to learn more.

UPDATE – Golden Age Project got back with the following information:

GA-47 MKII
– The inner design is more tidy and stable using a an expensive Rogers circuit board with point-point wiring resulting in an ever more refined sound quality
– A new flight case and black cardboard box

GA-251 MKII
– A new CNC produced base part made of brass.
– Improved, more even grille
– The inner design is more tidy and stable using a an expensive Rogers circuit board with point-point wiring resulting in an ever more refined sound quality
– A new metal flight case and black cardboard box

Golden Age Premier GA-47 MK2

A tube condenser microphone, the GA-47 MK2 is designed to offer the same qualities the venerable Neumann U-47 is known for – rugged build and a warm, flattering audio character. To achieve this, the microphone capsule design incorporates the characteristics of both Neumann K47 and K67 capsules, the former known for its flatter frequency response.

The GA-47 MK2 is hand-assembled in the manufacturer’s workshop, in batches of 50 units. The package includes a flight case, wooden box, shockmount, external power supply, cables, and the microphone itself. The price is USD 1999.

Golden Age Premier GA-251 MKII

Golden Age Premier GA-251 MK2

The GA-251 MKII is a replica of the Telefunken ELA M 251 tube condenser microphone from 1960. Featuring cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns, the replica is based on a 34mm AKG K251-style capsule (indeed, the original ELA M series stems from modded AKG C12 mics). It also uses a Rogers circuit board with point-to-point wiring. The frequency response is described as balanced across the high, mid and low frequencies.

The goal for both this and the Neumann replica is to offer the experience you’d expect from a mint vintage original at a saner price point. While the Golden Age Project replica costs USD 1999, a reissued Telefunken ELA M 251 can cost nearly USD 9500. The scope of delivery includes a flight case, wooden box, shockmount, external power supply, cables, and the microphone itself.

Both microphones are available now from Golden Age Project dealers worldwide. Alas, at the time of writing, no further details are available. We’ll update you with more information when we get it.