Active DI with 1 meg or greater input impedance w phantom power +/- preamp

[T268]

Hi all. Looking for a good match for my K and K Pure mini. Going right to a board via XLR cable. Hoping to find an active DI with 1 meg or greater input impedance that can run on phantom power. A preamp would be a nice kicker. The Behringer ADI21 is a great fit, but I’d prefer not to be a slave to 9v batteries. Budget is $100 or less. Any suggestions?

[jonfields45]

Fire-eye Red-Eye, but having owned both the ADI21 works as well and has more EQ control (and can be powered by a standard 9v supply).

[T268]

Good suggestion, but double my budget.

[keith.rogers]

The Dee-Eye is a bit closer at $135.

But, just get a couple external battery packs and keep them charged so you can always start a gig with one that's in good shape. I use that solution for a lot of devices these days.

[Nick84]

Radial Stagebug SB-1 or SB-5 - one is just under 1 Meg the other is 5 Meg. Both are built like tanks and run off phantom

[T268]

Originally Posted by Nick84

Radial Stagebug SB-1 or SB-5 - one is just under 1 Meg the other is 5 Meg. Both are built like tanks and run off phantom

What about the Stagebug 4? It seems like it’s somehow optimized for piezo pickups(like my K and K), Active, 5 meg impedance, phantom powered, 1/4 in/XLR out.

[Nick84]

Originally Posted by T268

What about the Stagebug 4? It seems like it’s somehow optimized for piezo pickups(like my K and K), Active, 5 meg impedance, phantom powered, 1/4 in/XLR out.

Sorry meant the stagebug 4 not the 5! It also has a low cut which is handy with K&Ks.

Another option is a used Fishman platinum stage...

[varmonter]

I bought direct from orchid in the uk.
came in about a week. These are great di boxes.
with the exchange rate it was still under 100.
and it has that mute button which comes in handy.
it is 1 mgohm.
http://orchid-electronics.co.uk/Muting_DI_Box.htm

[Bluewyatt]

I love the Countryman active DI. https://reverb.com/p/countryman-type...&hfid=24237430
No association with seller.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by T268

Hi all. Looking for a good match for my K and K Pure mini. Going right to a board via XLR cable. Hoping to find an active DI with 1 meg or greater input impedance that can run on phantom power. A preamp would be a nice kicker. The Behringer ADI21 is a great fit, but I’d prefer not to be a slave to 9v batteries. Budget is $100 or less. Any suggestions?

Well, you want what you want, and I can't fault that. I'm sure you will get some good suggestions.

But FWIW, rechargeable 9V batteries w/charger cost about $20 for 4, last several hours in the Behringer and take about 60 seconds to change. It doesn't bother me and does what I want. It also runs on a 9V adaptor. Also, I don't think you will find one that has phantom power without utilizing and external power source or battery. YMMV

[T268]

I'm leaning towards the Radial Stagebug 4. I also noticed there's a used PZ Deluxe on Reverb for a decent price. Could be a nice option. Thoughts? I think the impedance is the same.

[T268]

Just bought the Radial Stagebug SB-4 from zzSounds. Won’t know about the results until my next go round at church 2 Sundays from now. I’ll report back. Thanks everyone for your insight.

[lschwart]

The SB-4 is a good choice for a basic active DI for use with a passive piezo pickup like the K&K. The only thing you might do better with is something with good EQ to shape the sound, but if the PA you're going to has that and a good engineer to run it, you won't need it.

By the way, the PZ Deluxe is a nice preamp/DI, but it does not run on phantom power and in fact needs a dedicated 15v 400mA power supply.

Louis

[jimmorgan]

Can't go wrong with Radial. In a different direction, these are great and if you play your cards right you don't even need an extra cable.

https://www.tritonaudio.com/bigamp-pi%C3%ABzo.html

[T268]

Originally Posted by lschwart

The SB-4 is a good choice for a basic active DI for use with a passive piezo pickup like the K&K. The only thing you might do better with is something with good EQ to shape the sound, but if the PA you're going to has that and a good engineer to run it, you won't need it.

By the way, the PZ Deluxe is a nice preamp/DI, but it does not run on phantom power and in fact needs a dedicated 15v 400mA power supply.

Louis

Thanks Louis. I figure I’ll see how it goes with the board EQ. If I feel the need to get picky about the tone, I’ll probably grab the MXR 10 band EQ or the Boss GE-7.