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Amplified Microphone
- Thread starter Ryan Holter
- Start date
There are two versions of Expander 500,
The old version had a more complex circuit with a transformer & crappy compressor that makes them sound flat as a kipper,
later versions had a simple circuit & sounded better,
The old version had a more complex circuit with a transformer & crappy compressor that makes them sound flat as a kipper,
later versions had a simple circuit & sounded better,
I'm not sure how to differentiate between the newer better sounding one, and older not so good sounding one.
I'm guessing I have the older one as it sounds like crap. At least according to the three or four stations I asked the first time I hooked it up. It's in the closet with the other junk. It's a shame. The one I have is in really nice condition. Very clean cosmetically. it just seems cheaply made. Lots of plastic, and the bar makes a clicking sound as it's depressed.
The fact that the bar makes a clicking sound wouldn't bother me if the microphone sounded good on air, but it doesn't. I really want to purchase this 1104c. The only thing holding me back is the thought of buying it and then finding out after a few reports that it sounds like crap. It might be a first, as everything I've read about the 1104c is 100% positive. I don't think I've ever read a online report that states it isn't an excellent sounding microphone. Right now the owner is offering it to me for $100. It's just too much for a chance. I guess if I could get it for $70 I'll take it. It doesn't hurt to ask. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. If I could get it for $70 I'll roll the dice. Thanks 73
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You would have to open it up and look to see if it has a tiny transformer in there, im sure there will be pics on the net,
i agree they don't feel quality like the metal plus 3, 3b & sidekick nor do they have the quality leaf switches that you can service,
ptt action feels cheap n nasty,
The 500's tone control does not work in an ideal manner either,
it sounds like a tone tilt control,
you can't increase bass without losing trebble, or increase trebble without losing bass,
setting it in the middle sounds flat lacking bass & trebble,
astatics tone control alters how much bass you have without rolling the trebble off,
never tried or looked inside the 1104c so i can't comment other than they are plastic & the amp circuit looks very similar to the 575 teardop.
i agree they don't feel quality like the metal plus 3, 3b & sidekick nor do they have the quality leaf switches that you can service,
ptt action feels cheap n nasty,
The 500's tone control does not work in an ideal manner either,
it sounds like a tone tilt control,
you can't increase bass without losing trebble, or increase trebble without losing bass,
setting it in the middle sounds flat lacking bass & trebble,
astatics tone control alters how much bass you have without rolling the trebble off,
never tried or looked inside the 1104c so i can't comment other than they are plastic & the amp circuit looks very similar to the 575 teardop.
I own the+3 also.
Unfortunately it like the +2 and 500 received poor reports.
I think Turner's just don't match my voice characteristics that well. If that is possible?
The D-104 is fine for AM, its higher pitch will help cut through QRM. If you are a SSB OP and like the shape of a 104 then get the 10-DA head for the stand.
Sonar
the +2 +3 and ex500 all sound different to each other,
it may be your voice or the radio that none of them are a good match for,
I prefer the sound of the +3b over the super sidekick on AM & SSB with most cb's but some other people will not agree,
imho a fet modified good d104 sounds more natural but finding a good d104 cartridge is not easy, most are shot or partly shot, they all sound different to each other,
the rochelle salt crystals in them don't age too well & the stock astatic amp circuit strangles a good d104.
the +2 +3 and ex500 all sound different to each other,
it may be your voice or the radio that none of them are a good match for,
I prefer the sound of the +3b over the super sidekick on AM & SSB with most cb's but some other people will not agree,
imho a fet modified good d104 sounds more natural but finding a good d104 cartridge is not easy, most are shot or partly shot, they all sound different to each other,
the rochelle salt crystals in them don't age too well & the stock astatic amp circuit strangles a good d104.
I agree. I think my voice characteristics isn't a good match for the Turner line of mic's. I've decided that my fet modified d104 will not be out performed by the 1104c or any microphone for that matter.
After spending a few hours on SSB I received 3 separate questions about the mic I was using.
2 of those inquiries asked if I could give them contact info on the person who did the mod.
I was told the audio was excellent (nice and bassy.)
I believe there's only so much one could do when trying to improve the audio (without getting crazy) of a Uniden Madison.
Loosecannon did the fet mod. It's a basic fet mod that can be found online with an added proprietary thingy that he (loosecannon) does.
I'm very happy with the mod and spending $100 on an 1104c isn't worth it (IMO.) It's hit or miss, and with the age of the these mic's one has to worry about the cartridge being in good condition on top of will the mic be a good match for my voice and station.
If anyone is concidering fet modifying their d104 and don't have the skills to do the work themselves, drop loosecannon a private message on this very site. His work is excellent and the mod definitely does what it's supposed to.
Thanks 73
My Cobra coffin shaped stock mics always have the perfect sound......of course you might get a bad one from time to time.
The D104s are higher pitched and the Turners have a lower pitched tone. It's all good but it's up to you what you like better.
The D104s are higher pitched and the Turners have a lower pitched tone. It's all good but it's up to you what you like better.
D104's sound tinny because the amplifier that astatic used to allow them to work on modern low Z rigs won't let them breathe,
The cartridge itself has more bottom end than turners ceramic cartridges,
The best sounding D104 cartridge i owned i won in a bet from a guy in the USA, it was old supposedly from an un-amplified ug-8 stand,
that old timer sounded warmer & smoother less metallic than my silver or night eagle heads,
i have never had two that sounded exactly the same when compared on the same stand,
i also prefer the older black fronted astatic 575 cartridges over the later silver fronted bob & bart 575 cartridges for the same reason,
ymmv.
The cartridge itself has more bottom end than turners ceramic cartridges,
The best sounding D104 cartridge i owned i won in a bet from a guy in the USA, it was old supposedly from an un-amplified ug-8 stand,
that old timer sounded warmer & smoother less metallic than my silver or night eagle heads,
i have never had two that sounded exactly the same when compared on the same stand,
i also prefer the older black fronted astatic 575 cartridges over the later silver fronted bob & bart 575 cartridges for the same reason,
ymmv.
Before condemming the mic element, I would try replacing at least the one electrolytic cap on the D104 amp board.
only astatic mike i like is the 575 withe the tone control. there was a base mic with a tone control also i liked it too.other than that all tuners for me
