Well, Most important is the sound. I`ve compare this mic to AKG C 414 XLII. AKG is ruthless, it won't forgive you any mistake. If the source is weak (space, position, voice, instrument) the truth will be clear and painful. But if everything is made right - the sound is really good.
AVANTONE CV-12 is different. It`s not so clear as AKG, it`s a bit darker, warmer, less detailed. If you are close, approximation effect is clearly audible.
If you need to recreate exact sound of your stuff - choose AKG. But if you need something more musical, warmer, some anspokable spirit of the sound - Avantone is right way.
All this bad opinions about this mic are not truth. Everything looks very nice, mic holder is not weak.
I like it!