The problem with Shure dynamics is that they were designed to be 150Ω (nowadays measures around 260Ω) and the ideal load is 600Ω, the old Bell Telephone spec. (4x the input but 500–1000Ω is acceptable.). Solid state mic preamps are normally 1300–2400Ω which does not load the input directly. Shure knows this but the so-called "industry standard" has sold a gazilian units. This leads to excess proximity effect, early distortion and lousy transient response. Vintage mic pres from Shure, EV, Altec etc. are all 600Ω — even the old Shure VocalMaster PA.

There are many fixes for this including variable impedance mic pres, Cloudlifter, Cloudlifter CLZ with a variable impedance pot (turn the pot and listen to the changes). You can get an 823Ω resistor and wire it in parallel using a cable or inline barrel connector for about $10; substitute a 1KΩ variable resistor in a box and you can ape the CLZ without the volume boost. Once you've heard a cymbal or high-hat through a properly loaded 57, you'll be amazed how good it actually sounds.

At least the output of an SM7B is so low that you're forced to use a decent mic pre in front of it.

I guess it's now time for everyone to tell me how wrong I am — but I happen to be right.

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