Skip to content
Everything In Music Since 1958
Everything In Music Since 1958

Warm Audio WA-251 Tube Condenser Microphone

Original price $849.00
Original price $849.00 - Original price $849.00
Original price $849.00
Current price $699.00
$699.00 - $699.00
Current price $699.00

Promotional Pricing Through April 30

Save $150! Was $849.00

♫ In stock
About Inventory Status


Questions?
Call or text us at 301-946-8808.

In stock: It is in stock and available to ship or pickup. Apparel must be shipped from another location and is not available for in-store pickup. We can usually ship or have these items available for pickup by the next business day if they don't require inspection, special handling, or setup. Our pickup location is 11151 Veirs Mill Rd. Silver Spring, MD 20902.

📆 Preorder: It is on the way to our warehouse. We can't predict when preorder items will arrive due to current supply chain issues. If you place an order for one of these items someone will contact you to estimate the delivery date.

Out of stock: We don't currently have it available but you're not out of luck yet. We still may be able to get it. If you order one of these items we will contact you with an estimated fulfillment date. You have the option to cancel the order if you change your mind.

Special order: The item is so special that it needs to be custom ordered for you. Some of these items are works of art and have to be made individually. Orders for special order items must be prepaid and we cannot accept cancellations or refunds.

█ Sold out: We don't think we can get this item because it was either discontinued by the manufacturer or was limited in quantity. If you want or need this item call or text us. Sometimes we can help you track down the item through other sources or help you find something similar.

About Item Conditions


Questions?
Call or text us at 301-946-8808.

New: The item is brand new as received from the manufacturer with a full manufacturer warranty. Instruments such as guitars, snare drums, drum kits, brass and woodwind instruments may be opened for photography and quality control inspection and may not be in a factory sealed box.

Mint or Open Box: The item may have been opened and tested but has been repackaged. The original packaging may have superficial issues but the item itself and any originally included accessories are in perfect, like new condition.

Display Model: These items are so cool that we put them on display in our legendary shop. The condition is brand new as received from the manufacturer with manufacturer warranty. Rest assured, these items undergo a very careful inspection before shipping.

Demo: These items have been on our sales floor for demo purposes and will likely show signs of use. The original packaging may no longer be included, but you can be assured that you are receiving an awesome item and an awesome price.

Used: The item is used. These item may have varying degrees of wear. Please read the description for information about the condition of the item. Used items do not carry a warranty.

B or C Stock: Factory refurbished. These items were purchased from the manufacturer in a refurbished condition. They will show some cosmetic issues, but nothing that would impact performance. Being that these are sealed from the manufacturer, we generally do not open these to photograph the cosmetic issues. They are guaranteed to work and may have a limited warranty or you may purchase an extended warranty in some cases. Please see the listing description for item specific information.

Educational & Government Sales Quotes

Click here to inquire about an educational or government quote and discover more about our Educational & Government Sales Division.


Capture Rich And Classic Sounds With The Warm Audio WA-251 Tube Condenser Microphone

The WA-251 was created to offer a classic microphone design to a new generation of recording artists at an affordable price. Warm Audio spent a great deal of time listening to different 251 microphones to determine what people liked about them and why, how various styles of components impact the tone, and how to give the WA-251 microphone a signature that pays homage to the vintage classic, but also stands out on its own.

The WA-251 is an all vacuum tube, large diaphragm, transformer balanced, multi-pattern, large condenser microphone, based on the classic 251 that has been used on countless hit records for the last 50+ years. The WA-251 is designed for pro studio, home studio, live, and broadcast applications and sounds great on vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, acoustic/electric bass, drums, piano, strings, brass/woodwind instruments, and an array of other sources.

DESIGN

The classic 251 became extremely popular as a vocal microphone in the 1960s and is now considered to be one of the greatest condenser microphones ever created.  The classic 251 is still widely used today in professional recording studios but has become extremely rare and cost-prohibitive to acquire.

Designing the WA-251 to sound like the classic 251 was no easy task, especially since some of the vintage components are no longer manufactured or available.  Warm Audio is pleased to release such a gorgeous-sounding classic to the market at a price that's reachable to more people than ever before.

ALL BRASS CAPSULE

The WA-12-B-60V is an all-brass, edge-terminated capsule that captures all the smoothness, rich top end, and warm vintage sonics of the original CK12 capsule. The WA-12-B-60V uses a variant CEK-12 backplate as a basis, which overcomes the manufacturing limitations of the original CK12 capsule. The o-ring and housing of the WA-12-B-60V are all made from brass (no Teflon parts), and the diaphragm is 24k gold sputtered 6 micron, NOS PET film (mylar). The end result is a very consistent, reliable capsule that matches the frequency response and tonality of the classic 1970's classic capsule.

THE TUBE

A Slovak Republic JJ 12AY7 vacuum tube is used in the WA-251. Warm Audio auditioned 3 tube brands and fell in love with the JJ 12AY7. The frequency response of the JJ tube and the way it contributes to the circuit is tonally smooth and vintage in nature.

THE TRANSFORMER

The WA-251 utilizes an American-made CineMag USA transformer. This transformer helps provide the present top end and the LARGE bottom end one would hope to get from a 251-style condenser microphone.

THE CAPACITORS

The WA-251 proudly uses polystyrene coupling capacitors, wima film capacitors throughout, and an imported Solen French capacitor on its output.

THE CABLE

One component of a tube microphone that is often overlooked is the 7 pin cable that connects the microphone to its power supply. When auditioning the WA-251 and other tube microphones Warm Audio learned quite a bit about 7 pin cables and how the shielding and wire gauge size can drastically change the sonics of a tube microphone.  They have partnered with Gotham Audio in Switzerland to use their very carefully built high-end 7-pin GAC-7 cable.  Using this cable increases the top-end presence and the overall size of the recorded image in the stereo field by reducing phase shift and the parasitic effect often experienced in poorly built cables.  Gotham Cabling is very expensive and boutique in nature and shouldn't be considered a small addition to the WA-251 package.


SPECIFICATIONS

  • Custom WA-12-B-60V edge terminated, dual-backplate, all-brass vintage ck12-style capsule
  • Cinemag USA output transformer
  • JJ Slovak 12AY7 vacuum tube
  • Gotham 5 meter GAC-7, 7-pin tube microphone cable
  • Wima, Solen French, and Polystyrene capacitors
  • Polar patterns: 3 patterns - cardioid, omni, figure-of-eight
  • Frequency range: 20 hz~20 kHz
  • Output impedance: 200 ohms
  • Maximum SPL: 132dB (0.5% THD)
  • Rated load impedance: 2kOhms
  • S/N ratio: 80dBa
  • Equivalent noise: 12dBa (IEC651)
  • External IEC grounded PSU
  • Total weight (mic, PSU, shockmount, cables) - 12 lbs
  • Mic dimensions: 247mm x 46mm
  • Dynamic range: 125dBa
  • Includes: microphone, wood box, PSU, shock-mount, and Gotham cable

Manufacturer: Warm Audio
Model: WA-251
SKU: I575269-N-2-WHXX
UPC: 860191002128


We are Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC's legendary music shop. Family-owned and operated since 1958. Buy gear the way it was meant to be bought, from a store that's been there through it all and has the vibe to prove it. We're staffed with musicians and industry experts, people that live and breathe music gear. Our mission is to help you find the right gear for your project, that thing that will bring you the most joy out of what you do. We're an authorized dealer for almost every brand, we stock items the other stores don't, so you can try before you buy. Stop by our Wheaton, MD showroom and see for yourself.

Contact us if you have questions about one of our listings or if you need help finding the right piece of gear.

Free Shipping

Offered for thousands of items when you spend $100+

Questions?

+1 (301) 946-8808

Get A Quote

Get an educational or government quote

Easy Returns

Learn about returns.