is the Avalon U5 DI preamp the same as the Sansamp RBI?

[youngmanhood]

couldn't figure out where to post this question I felt like here would be best. I have a sansamp rbi... wondering what exactly the U5 is and if its a better version of the sansamp

[father of fires]

They are 2 different preamps from 2 different companies.

[bassman1185]

Functionally, they do similar things. They both take your unbalanced 1/4" signal from your bass and convert it into a balanced XLR signal that can be efficiently sent to into the FOH mixer. That's about where the similarities stop.

The U5, as I understand it, is extremely clean, verging on sterile sounding. It has no adjustable tone-shaping or EQ, so you get what you get with it.

Your RBI is a Tube-amp emulating preamp. It has a full EQ section and lots of dirt on tap. It is designed to sound like a big ol' Ampeg SVT rig that is cranked up as loud as it can go.

The U5 is a higher-end item that is found in many pro studios. That does not necessarily mean that it is better for your needs, though. Tech21 makes really solid gear (I have a few pieces that they made) and is by no mean "sub-pro" quality.

[fleabee]

They are totally different. The Sansamp gives the option of making the sound more gritty/overdriven whereas the Avalon is clean and has 5 preset eq's if im not mistaken.

[fleabee]

Their similarities are that they can both be used as di's as well as preamps

[seedokebass]

Here's my take since I have both

The U5 has six different preset EQ shapes. I would say half of them are very useful in a live setting, but all would/could be useful in the studio.

I would disagree that it is sterile sounding, but it is definitely clean. The #1 and #2 presets are big and warm, with some decent mid scoop going on. When I used the U5 live (with an SWR 750x) I mainly used the #4 preset. It really enhanced the midrangey sound of my Thumb bolt on.

The Sansamp RBI is like a SVT in a lightweight box, minus the adjustable midrange. This thing does big and warm, clean and snappy, and it gets fairly dirty. 3 bands of EQ, presence and a blend make it very versatile. Great for pickstyle playing.

Most bassists would get more out of the RBI than the U5, IMO. It might take a little more experimentation incorporating it into your rig (FX loop vs straight to amp input), but it rocks once you've got it!

[seedokebass]

Hey mods... should this be moved to amps? I didn't even notice it was in effects