Re: Please help ID this capacitor

Those are 'orange drop' style tantalum capacitors. If it's used for power supply bypassing, there's no problem. If, however, it's used for DC blocking the capacitor could be in series with your microphone signal.

The seal of such capacitors is fragile (i.e. handling or aging can break 'em open), and a good axial-package aluminum might be more reliable...

I wouldn't replace it, myself, but it wouldn't be my first choice for the application.

I've used tantalums (SMT version, but built basically the same internal construction as what shows in your picture) in an application where I rely on them being very quiet. The caps I use are operated at a fairly small fraction of their rated working voltage. The circuit has been in production for years, and I've never heard of a problem. Tantalums absolutely CAN have problems with noise, and I've run tests that show it readily, but my experience is that they are quiet between noise pulses and the noise pulses occur very seldom indeed if you operate at no more than, say, 1/3 the rated voltage.

Cheers, Tom

I suggest you get better advice. Whilst ANY cap can do that, tantalums are better in this respect than standard electrolytic caps and I'd say from that pic, it wouldn't be remotely likely.

Graham