Chris Rossi wrote:
were reactive rather than resistive. I think Mark McQ added some
reactive load (a low pass filter on the input for RF rejection) to his
RNP in part for this reason.

Sorry to change the subject here, but this may relate. As I understand
it, the RNP is a transformerless mic pre. According to a little
birdie who told me things, the blocking capacitors, necessary in
transformerless pres to protect the input from phantom power, cause a
certain amount of signal degradation, particularly in the top end.

However, this supposedly is not a factor when it comes to condensors
since when the phantom is switched on, the biasing to the capacitors
that results, somehow negates this problem.

Assuming any of this is true, has anyone ever tested with a dynamic
mic, plugged into a transformerless pre, whether or not the sound
improves (more clarity in the top end) by switching on the phantom
power!?

It may not matter with most dynamics, but what about some of the better
ones such as the 441 or RE20? And dare I say it...what about ribbon
mics, where switching on phantom is generally considered a no-no?

Rob R.