countryman 85 vs 10

[smgga]

hi,
I was just wondering what the difference is between these two DI boxes?
the homepage doesn't give much information - neither did I receive an answer upon my mail request...
is the type 10 only a successor of the type 85?
I intend to use it as a DI for a tube amp (speaker out). I read that the type 85 can handle this. what about the type 10? there is no instrument/speaker switch? or does the input signal switch do the same job?
I assume both units are more or less equivalent, but just want to be sure if there are any major differences...

[JimmyM]

you can do speaker out of the type 10 as well as the 85. as for performance, i have no clue.

[timbledum]

Looks pretty straight forward from the site. Pay ~50 more dollars and get a few switches and (apparently) less distortion.


http://www.countryman.com/store/prod...d=100&catid=10


Pure and Simple

The legendary Type 85 achieves greatness partly through its simplicity: no unnecessary roll-off switches or EQ options. With the new Type 10, we kept it simple while adding some new features that we think can really help you on the road. Handle sizzling hot outputs from active keyboards using the -15 dB pad with virtually immeasurable distortion. Use the edge of a coin to access the battery. Check the battery voltage and monitor the quality of the phantom power with the flip of a switch.

Most direct box designs must make difficult tradeoffs with your sound: ultra-low distortion can only be attained by increasing input noise; true ground isolation means high phase deviation or signal attenuation. The Type 10 takes a radically new approach, with an analog circuit that tunes itself to deliver your sound with the lowest distortion, lowest noise, and highest accuracy of any direct box. The result is a clean, precise sound that is completely faithful to the original.

[JimmyM]

i don't hear any distortion in the type 85, so i wonder how important that is. i guess the pad switches would be nice, but you can accomplish the same thing by turning down

[Jazzdogg]

I've worked with some keyboard players who send a really hot signal. Having a DI with a 15dB pad would be nice.

[smgga]

ok thanks so far...
then I guess the pad-options of the type 10 are similar to the instrument/speaker switch of the type 85? at least this switch should change the power of the input signal, right?!
will the type 85 work without battery supply? is it then simply a passive device?
and what about phantom power? is it engaged as soon as you plug in a xlr from the console (I saw that the type 10 has a supply switcher: battery or phantom power)?!

[JimmyM]

both are active, and both require either a battery or phantom. not sure if the speaker switch is merely a pad on the 85, though. it's pretty noisy if you don't use a speaker di when it's on. however, the volume jumps considerably if you switch it back to pickup, so i guess it is.