BBE Magnum DI Direct Box???

**lowfreqgeek** · #1 11-29-2010, 10:49 PM

Looks an awful lot like the Radial J48, and only half the price! A little smaller feature set, but everything you need for a basic DI is there.

BBE Magnum DI

Radial J48

Anyone seen/heard/used the BBE Magnum DI? Better yet, can anyone compare the Magnum to the J48 in live and studio settings?

I love my JDI, but some of the lesser sound systems I've run into shouldn't be relied on for the extra gain the JDI requires (too noisy). I'd go for a J48, but this BBE Magnum looks very similar (operates on +48V phantom power and supposedly can be run ground-lifted, which indicates that it may have an isolated supply to the instrument side like the J48).

But how does it sound? That's the real question! Is the sound quality of the J48 worth double?

john_martin_sai · #2 02-03-2011, 09:14 AM

bump - since they're currently going for 1/2 price only at J&R Music (now $50). A better choice than Behringer DI100/GI100?

**lowfreqgeek** · #3 02-03-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_martin_sai

bump - since they're currently going for 1/2 price only at J&R Music (now $50). A better choice than Behringer DI100/GI100?

Wow! For $50, anything's better than a Behringer (and yes, I've used the Behringer...).

Might have to pick one up just because.

john_martin_sai · #4 02-03-2011, 09:51 AM

http://www.jr.com/bbe-sound/pe/BBE_MAGNUMDI/

....no reviews?

TimmyP · #5 02-04-2011, 10:39 PM

If I did not want to spring for the J48 I'd get the Pro48 (I didn't and I did - but as much for the lack of extra gadgets I wasn't interested in anyway). If I didn't want to spring for a Pro48 I'd get the active EWI from Audiopile.net - it sounds quite good.

prd004 · #6 02-04-2011, 10:57 PM

Well I doubt it's as good, cost is cost, and the transformers, the switches, the input/output jacks all cost money. One would assume that there are lesser quality components in the cheaper box, but that doesn't mean it's no good. But if it was built as well, had the same signal to noise ratio, and smooth uncolored transformer it would cost more.

I have a J48, a Countryman Type 85, and a BSS Audio AR-133. A+, A+, and A+. I would highly reccomend any one of these three, but I have used the AR-133 the most for studio with amazing results.