The first listening test -- performed blind with matched levels and all the mikes set to a cardioid pattern -- was in mono, with the Cardas up against two different Neumann M49s (tubed), a Telefunken 251 (tubed and an AKG C12 capsule), and Walter Sear's legendary RFT, this an East German tubed broadcast mike using a Neuman M7 capsule. All five mikes were aimed at Searsound's 9' Steinway, patiently played by the studio's Roberta Findlay, and the 8 or so listeners took turns soloing each mike channel on Walter's handbuilt console. Mike preamps were the console's Avalons.