Hi Ray thanks for the advice. I certainly will not be using it for live work. It is a multi pattern large diaphram tube mic with its own transformer for power and pattern settings. A tube preamp is not really necessary. It won best mic 2004. I was just wondering if anybody here owns one and can give me a heads up. It is at the lower end of pro studio mics retailing around £500. I will probably not buy it as the auction is ending soon and at over £200 bid price is getting less and less a bargain.