Recording is a funny business, in that once you go to a certain level with one component, then every other component, ie. cables, mics, room acoustical treatment, etc., becomes a potential 'weak link' in the recording chain.

The Adam Ax7's, which rises to at least Project Studio level, would be my hands down first choice, but only if all other components were of equal quality. This includes the 'golden ear' of at least a semi-professional producer/mixer/masterer. What is the object of your recordings? How important is perfection. You can probably produce something with 90% of the quality with 30-40% of the cost of TOTL recording gear. I think your buying decisions must be based on the quality level (of the finished product) that you think you must have. JMO.

chas
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"Faith means not wanting to know what is true." [Nietzsche]