i actually dig those starpower mics for band practice and for SCREAMY metal bands that rent my space out. I've got three sp-5's that i picked up for $20.
Shinybox sells the same ribbons cheaper. They also sell upgraded versions of them with better transformers. Think Lundahl. If you can't afford their modded mics, you can also buy the Lundahl transformer and mod it yourself. It isn't particularly hard, though it's a little tedious.
Here in Missouri we're about to vote statewide on whether to raise the minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $6.50/hr and index it to the CPI... maybe I need to make the same investment in the Nady scene! Perhaps I could color everything in the studio Nady blue.
Shinybox sells the same ribbons cheaper. They also sell upgraded versions of them with better transformers. Think Lundahl. If you can't afford their modded mics, you can also buy the Lundahl transformer and mod it yourself. It isn't particularly hard, though it's a little tedious.