D-104 elements

[Garey Barrell]

Perhaps this has been mentioned and I missed it, but ...

There were at least two types of mic elements used in the D-104 microphones.

The original was a "Rochelle Salt" crystal.  These are alleged to be the "best
sounding", but being literally a crystalline salt, it is subject to
deterioration from heat and especially moisture.

The "newer" element was ceramic, which was MUCH more rugged, but didn't have the
sound characteristics of the original.  (Is it just me, or is this beginning to
sound like "oxygen free copper wire"?

Anyway, I  _think_  MC-320 was the real "crystal" cartridge.  Someone told me
that the ceramic element was used in the 10DA microphone as well.  Maybe someone
on here has more complete information on this?  Or knows that I am all wet?

73, Garey - K4OAH
Atlanta

Don Buska wrote:

> Glen,
>
> Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the eBay mic Glen.  I guess
> we hear mostly the eBay horror stories on the reflectors and
> have to wonder just what percentage it really is.  Heck, how
> many swapfest deals have you made that the seller also stated
> it works fine, hi.
>
> I've purchased four D-104's off eBay in the past two years.
> Don't ask me why I need that many as I don't have a sane answer!
> Two were Silver Eagles and the others just plain jane D-104's.
> In my case they all worked just fine.
>
>
> On Thu, 29 Jan 2004 10:01:19 -0800 (PST), Glen Zook wrote:
>
>
>>Unfortunately, the crystal elements are easily damaged
>>and the couple of D-104s that I have gotten from eBay
>>had bad elements!  Thus, you have to be very careful.
>>One "head" looked brand new, but the element was
>>"shot".  As such, I wouldn't pay too much for an eBay
>>version.  In fact, I would want to be able to try out
>>any crystal microphone that I buy if more than a
>>couple of dollars.
>>
>>Glen, K9STH
>>
>>
>>--- Don Buska <d.buska at ADVANTEST.COM> wrote:
>>
>>With that said though, D-104's appear on eBay all the
>>time (try between 5 and 10 per day) and sell for
>>between $20 and $40 each
>>
>>=====
>>Glen, K9STH
>>
>>Web sites
>>
>>http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
>>http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco
>>

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