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[boxer]

I've found Microvox to be very well suited to my own particular requirements (ceilidh), and I've used the same 405 microphone/standard power unit for the last several hundred gigs over twelve years.  It's never failed to perform faultlessly and consistently.  I pay no more than reasonable attention to the care of the cable and sockets.  Although it's not a direct comparison, I've been struck by the comparative trauma (and expense)  that other band members have experienced over the same period, using (and often quickly discarding) other types and brands of advanced or sophisticated pickup and microphones systems on their instruments.   

[Tone Dumb Greg]

I asked Rachel at Microvox about the the simplicity of their products, specifically, why they don't put a buffer of some kind  in the output to isolate the apparatus from any phantom power it might be exposed to. This was her reply.

"Unfortunately, since the company founder died six years ago, we no longer have the expertise inhouse to make that modification.  I have a source who might be able to advise me on how practicable/economic that would be but he’s difficult to get hold of so I shan’t be able to do anything about it in a hurry."

So it seems these units are what they are and are likely to stay this way for the foreseeable.
This might not be a bad thing.
 

[Rog]

Holy hell...it’s quite complicated innit? I used to be interested in all that tech stuff... but now I just want to plug it in and have it work...   
 I’ve just ordered a Thomann's t.bone cc 75..

Just one?

I already have a matched pair of stand mics and anyway it’s mostly the right hand that is useful (there are 6 of us), and I want to see how easily it can be attached etc...and I didn’t want to spend too much.

[-Y-]

The t-bone series are not, obviously, great mikes, but decent copies that can get the job done IMO. Here you have a similar (meaning : near identical to) system than the Beta clip-on mikes from Shure, which is easy enough to use.

[Anahata]

I asked Rachel at Microvox about the the simplicity of their products, specifically, why they don't put a buffer of some kind  in the output to isolate the apparatus from any phantom power it might be exposed to. This was her reply.

"Unfortunately, since the company founder died six years ago, we no longer have the expertise inhouse to make that modification...

I knew Alan Hughes quite well.
Microvox should have made a box with an XLR connector on it. Maybe I should talk to them!

The straightforward practical solution is to put a DI box between the Microvox battery box and the mixer.
A cheap Passive DI should do the job, not only isolating your from phantom power but giving you a proper balanced line. Then all you need is a standard XLR mic cable.

[Anahata]

PS I've just looked at the Microvox site, and they sell a Behringer DI box for this very purpose. More expensive than my suggestion but at least you know they've tested it (I hope!)

[Tone Dumb Greg]

I asked Rachel at Microvox about the the simplicity of their products, specifically, why they don't put a buffer of some kind  in the output to isolate the apparatus from any phantom power it might be exposed to. This was her reply.

"Unfortunately, since the company founder died six years ago, we no longer have the expertise inhouse to make that modification...

I knew Alan Hughes quite well.
Microvox should have made a box with an XLR connector on it. Maybe I should talk to them!

The straightforward practical solution is to put a DI box between the Microvox battery box and the mixer.
A cheap Passive DI should do the job, not only isolating your from phantom power but giving you a proper balanced line. Then all you need is a standard XLR mic cable.

Maybe your the tech savvy person Rachel has in mind

Your right about the DI box. This is what Microvox say about it.

http://www.microvox.co.uk/dibox.htm

[Cross posted again. Oh well

and I've used the Behringer DI box and it works fine].

[boxer]

I failed to mention that my long-serving Microvox has enjoyed the protection of a passive DI box for all its long working life - just as Anahata recommends.