OK guys. I ordered the CAD M37 from 8th st. Friday, and it arrived Wednesday. Price $128 with shipping. Including a nice shock mount basket and pop filter.
First thing I found when I took it out of the box, when I picked it up, it rattled like there was something loose inside. Great! I plugged it in and it was working, so hmmmmm. Should I open it up, or send it back. Of course I should send it back, but I want it now!
I'm an electronics tech by trade, so I have no fear of opening it up, other than possibly voiding the warranty. Fortunately, there are no stickers or seals to indicate that it's been opened, so naturally I did. It comes apart quite nicely too. It seems well costructed enough, and yes, the circuit board inside has "M-177" stamped right on it.
Turns out, the diaphragm capsule is mounted on a post, the base of which sits in a rubber shock mount. It looks like a lollipop. The base is a snug fit into the rubber, but looks like it had also been glued.
Apparently the glue gave out, and the lollipop became dislodged.
I was able to easily repair it, but the question is, how was it dislodged? The shipping container showed no signs of excessive trauma, and it was well packed.
There was no apparent evidence of any damage to the capsule, but still I'm a little concerned about any unseen damage to the capsule that could degrade the performance of the mic. Like I said, it works, but this is my first condenser mic, and I have nothing to compare it to outside of my old dynamics.
I'd hate to send it back, cause it looks cooler than hell standing in the middle of the room in its shock mount with the pop filter mounted in front!
Twist