Phelicity

Common name: BeesNeez Phelicity

Production Status: In production

The Phelicity tube condenser microphone, with its BeesNeez CK12 capsule, was designed with clarity in mind. We were aiming for a studio recording microphone that would be sonically pleasing, true to source, and reminiscent of condenser microphones that are no longer being made such as the AKG C12 and the Telefunken Ela M251. The transformer in the Phelicity is a 13:1 tape wound mu metal toroidal transformer. The advantage of this transformer for this type of microphone is that turn count can be reduced and wire size increased, thus reducing DCR [DC resistance], while maintaining correct impedance conversion. The benefits of using a toroidal transformer are many, though with benefits come difficulties. If a toroidal transformer is made well, its specifications are simply unbeatable, as the entire core is encased by the windings leaving no area open for leakage. However, the core must be large enough to ensure it doesn’t saturate too early. The core size, though quite large, still make a reasonably compact toroidal transformer that is perfect for this microphone. Its characteristics are very smooth with no frequency ring or non-linear response within the listening curve. The tube in the Phelicity is a 5654W vintage NOS (new old stock). This is a pentode tube wired as a triode. This tube is common in tube microphones and preamplifiers due to its exceptionally low noise and musical character. Many microphone manufacturers choose to wire pentode tubes as triodes to lower output impedance and more evenly spread the anode within the tube. The microphone includes a swivel mount connector and lead, Producers series power supply and wooden box.