I just special-ordered 4 Delta bathroom faucets - $200 each in pearl nickel - from one of the big box stores. Just got the faucets delivered to the house and they were the conventional Delta faucets, with the usual black rubber or silicone seats, plastic ball, and springs. I had really ordered Delta's new "Diamond Seal" faucet which looks the same but has a sealed cartridge, long Pex risers (so no additional riser needed).
Apparently the big box is still using up old stock -
I ended up ordering the faucets through an online source recommended by Delta - same price, but has the Diamond Seal technology. The new cartridge is diamond-impregnated and designed to last 10 times longer than the traditional ball and seat model.
Just a heads-up. The faucets from the big box were otherwise fine, and had metal drains (not plastic as some have reported).
Apparently the big box is still using up old stock -
I ended up ordering the faucets through an online source recommended by Delta - same price, but has the Diamond Seal technology. The new cartridge is diamond-impregnated and designed to last 10 times longer than the traditional ball and seat model.
Just a heads-up. The faucets from the big box were otherwise fine, and had metal drains (not plastic as some have reported).