The LOMO 19a19 is an end-address large diaphragm tube condenser. This was the last Soviet tube microphone manufactured by the LOMO plant in the 1970’s and was one of the most produced LOMO tube microphones. Even still, only about 2,000 were ever made followed closely by the 19a9 (about 1,500 total made). Most of the other models were made in quantities of 300 or less.
It’s not often that you see an end-address large diaphragm tube mic. The 19a19’s design may look like a hand-held live mic, but looks are deceiving. It is a high quality tube microphone using a proprietary edge-terminated capsule and a 6S31B tube. The output transformer is located inside the body. The PSU looks different from the other LOMO models and features a passive -12 dB 50Hz high pass filter.
You may have seen 19a19s (and 19a9s) described as “U47 killers” or a “mix of a U47 and a C12”, but none of that is true. The 19a19 is a unique design that doesn’t sound like either of those mics. It has a clear and musical sound that isn’t as rich in the mids like a U47 nor is it bright and airy like a C12. It is flattering in a natural and honest way with a distinctly recognizable glow.
While the 19a19 sounds great with stock components, it uses a mediocre MBM film capacitor in the signal path which gives the mic a slightly hard high frequency character. This capacitor can be replaced with a high-end Soviet K76-3 acetate cellulose film audio capacitor. Replacing this cap makes a subtle but noticeable improvement that gives it a smoother top end and extended low-end. We can perform the upgrade (including the replacement of electrolytics), will record before and after samples, and will include new original components so it can be reverted to original at any time. Contact us if you are interested in having this done to your 19a18, 19a18, or 19a4.
