I understand how it makes more sense to slowly build up a collection of good mics over the years, and I would do this except for I know how our school runs. Being an international School with a bunch of board members, our school exists only to make a profit for them and not to provide people with good resources. Gradually buying sounds like a great idea, but I know our budget for microphones would be a one off thing - if I asked for the same money each year they would say we gave it last year - and that would be the end of it. So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Trying to get the best quality and quantity while being stuck with a one off, incredibly small budget. I know many reading this won't believe that the school wouldn't agree to a small budget every year, but we struggle to get any funding from what could only be called an extremely tight school - we have plenty of money floating around but those with the power to spend, wont!