There has not been an official fake guide published by OAO Oktava in Tula, Russia. This may be because it is very difficult to distinguish an original form a copy visually. So resolving authenticity remains cloudy and difficult. Both authentic MK-319 mics and copies carry the A.S.M. brand.
This is what I’ve been able to piece together.
Purchase date as proof of authenticity - October 13, 2004 McKay Bros (A.S.M) were deprived of distribution rights by OAO Oktava. Its probably safe to assume this was triggered by unauthorized duplication of Russian Oktava microphones. MK-319 mics purchased well before that date are likely to be Russian. Microphone stock available for purchase after that date could be a mix of earlier Russian models and unauthorized copies.
Serial Numbers – All MK-319 mics have serial numbers whether Russian or copied. Earlier MK-319 mics had a serial number beginning with the letter “N” in a Cyrillic typeface. When I first saw the newer MK-319 mics with “Chang” branded capacitors inside, the serial number sequence on these mics had been extended and the Cyrillic “N” dropped. But I’ve subsequently seen 319s with genuine Russian capacitors inside that do not have the “N” prefaced serial numbers. So serial number is not a reliable differentiation.
Russian language manual – Too bad not all Russian MK-319 mics came with a Russian language manual. The earlier ones did but later Russian mics did not. So if the mic in question has a Russian manual, you’re good. If it does not, uncertainty remains.
Circuit board parts – You could go through the trouble of disassembling the mic to look at the parts. “Chang” brand capacitors are a giveaway of the mice’s Chinese origin. I’ve notice a more subtle and perhaps not entirely reliable difference. The top surface of the output transformer is used as a convenient space to record two resistor values. One of the pleasures of observing the earlier Russian mics was observing the handwriting of the numerals on the transformer case. The numerals had a certain “Cyrillic” feel to them with elaborated serifs that looked “Russian” and this was very consistent from mic to mic. It’s as if the factory workers were trained as children to write numbers in this particular style. I’ve since noticed a simplification of this style. The number One for example, is simple a strait vertical line with no additional ornamentation. Not positive proof of Chinese origin but an anomaly from the many I’ve seen written with Cyrillic style.
Sound Test – Subjective, but that’s how they’re going to be used. A side by side comparison of a known Russian MK-319 and a copy will reveal that the Russian mic has a more definite lower midrange authority, presence or magic that is reminiscent of that indescribable Neumann “larger than life” sound that is not just a simple frequency response shape but an actual time domain performance. The copies do not sound bad – they are well balanced top to bottom, well-controlled and pleasing HF response without “spittiness” but they are missing the magic that made these mics so special. They sound like really good $100 mics instead of the challengers to the championship the early MK-219 and MK-319 mic are.
