The Korby Audio KAT5 is a remarkable American-made boutique tube microphone system, designed around interchangeable, hand-tuned capsule heads that bring different classic microphone flavors to a single amplifier body. This particular system includes TWO capsules: the U67 and the ELA M 251. The other KAT capsule types are not included.

There's real microphone history behind this design. Tracy Korby made his name restoring, servicing, and fine-tuning legendary vintage microphones, and drew on that experience to create his own hot-swappable capsule system. In a 2003 Tape Op review, engineers compared the Korby capsules with vintage classics: the reviewers were especially impressed by the 251's similarity to an ELA M 251, while one reviewer actually preferred the Korby U67-style capsule to his own U67 for a particular singer. Korby microphones have long had a following among respected recording engineers.

The KAT5 itself has a notable studio credit: engineer Mark Hawley and Marcel van Limbeek discussed using a Korby KAT-5 on Tori Amos's vocals during the sessions for her album American Doll Posse. That reference concerns the KAT-5 model, not a claim that this individual microphone was used on any famous recording.

The U67-inspired capsule offers a richly musical, classic vocal sound, while the ELA M 251-inspired capsule provides a different, open, detailed character. Having both heads makes this a flexible front end for vocals, acoustic instruments, and other critical recording applications. I'm selling as part of the liquidation of my smoke-free recording studio.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONAL DISCLOSURE: When tested right before listing, I found the capsule-to-body connection can intermittently cut out if the capsule is wiggled. I suspect the contact pins may need cleaning. The buyer should plan to inspect or service the connection. This issue is reflected in the asking price and description of it being "As-Described".

Included capsule heads: Korby U67 and ELA M 251 (two total). Also included are the Anvil case, wooden microphone box, shock mount, wooden capsule holders, power supply, microphone-to-power-supply cable, AC power cable for the power supply, and one spare tube.