The MA-200 comes in a handsome attaché carrying case with a 115/230-VAC power supply, pro shock mount, the mic itself in another carrying case, and all required cables. Each MA-200 microphone, power supply and cable set is burned in for 24 hours and then carefully tested and evaluated before shipment.

I received a MA-200 and put it to work recording acoustic guitars and vocals in parallel with a vintage Neumann U67 condenser. I have to say the MA-200 beats the old Neumann in a couple of ways. While the Neumann was much warmer, fatter and thicker in the low frequency range, it was all mostly useless--frequencies I would have to equalize out when mixing. The differences narrowed when I used my direct-coupled mic-preamp (as opposed to my Neve 1272 with transformers) and I heard a clearer picture of the high frequencies. The MA-200 is clearer and only very slightly brighter than the 30-year old U67. While the Neumann might "help" to mellow out a shrill sound source, it would not be painting an accurate "sonic picture". Compared to the U67, the MA-200 portraits the transients better, had a lower noise floor and did not overload as easily.

With a little maturity, the MA-200 is a classic in the making and definitely a new asset in my mic cabinet. It makes an excellent, all-around workhorse microphone suitable for any application from vocals to backing vocals to acoustic guitars to pianos or string instruments.