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List:       elecraft
Subject:    [Elecraft]  D-104 Element Replacement
From:       JR <jrichards () k8jhr ! com>
Date:       2022-02-23 22:54:47
Message-ID: fcb33c9a-9884-41ad-7181-f00470d5dc87 () k8jhr ! com
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I am often amazed  how little some hams know about microphones. You can 
purchase any number of compatible dynamic microphone cartridges, or 
electret condenser capsules, and fit them into a D-104 head shell.   I 
buy a number of excellent dynamic replacement cartridges on eBay for 
less than $10,  and purchase suitable electret condenser capsules for as 
low as 10 for $1,  including shipping in some cases!    Research and 
shop around and you will find all sorts of inexpensive replacement 
elements that sound great.  I built a test bed of several microphones 
and nobody has ever correctly identified which element is which - 
including the HEIL PR-20 I included as a "control" sample.  I once 
purchased an old Shure Unidyne 55C "Elvis Style" microphone and 
installed a $7 replacement cartridge after super cleaning and polishing 
the original zinc-alloy head.  Looks good - sounds good - total cost 
under $20 including cleaning materials.    Point is ... you can easily 
upgrade an old mic on the cheap without sacrificing sound quality.

I cannot bring myself to even consider what W2ENY sells after comparing 
his stuff to what appear to be comparable and possibly the same items on 
eBay.com and Aliexpress.com.  For example, compare his $70 desk boom mic 
with this one on Aliexpress, and reach your own conclusion.  I 
acknowledge he solders a Foster connector on it, but that is much more 
than I expect to pay for a quick solder job and a $2 plug and a bit of 
shrink tube.

https://tinyurl.com/y2n7ussm

https://w2eny.com/deskmic/

Of course, this is just my "take" (opinion) and I may be way off base.  
Everyone should do diligence and draw his own conclusions.     JHR
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