AKG Perception 220

Congratulations on your first condenser! 

Indeed, the Perception series delivers great value for money; two of those do a fine job for me on most anything. A word of caution, though: condensers are addictive. If your first one feels like having one's earwax professionally cleared, then "high-end" condensers (and preamps) could feel as if it is cleared once more :) Enjoy!

I have a couple of the Perception 200s and I love them. They sound great for drum overheads and vocals. Definitely a great value.

another happy P200 user here, and my next will be a P420 in this category. its good enough for me and my clients. (pre: LA-610, compr: distressor)

I have the 170. It's alright I suppose. It can't make my voice sound not like shit though. So it can't work miracles

Geez, seems every damn thing I buy isn't 'real this or real that'...condenser mics that aren't real condensers, tube premaps that aren't real tube, Martin guitars that are made in Mexico...everything I own seems to be absolute crap.