Avalon U5, is it worth it?

[chuckbiscuit]

I'm looking at getting a Avalon u5. Playing in a band using all in ears, and I was thinking about going direct. Is the U5 a good choice? Let me know what you think

[TrevorOfDoom]

i like them!

but, as with anything, they're not for everyone. if you like how you sound through it, get it!

[SteveC]

Yes.

[baba]

I think a nice Radial DI or the like would be much cheaper and do the same thing for you. Unless you really care about the finer details of your live tone, and/or really want a preamp colored tone, it's a pricey way to go direct.

Just speaking as your wallet through a cloud of GAS.

[msquared]

It is, but unless you have a very expensive PA that you're taking along with the band, I wouldn't bother spending the extra money on one if you aren't also doing a lot of live recording or using it in the studio as well. You are way into the land of diminishing returns if you're dealing with club PAs and most club rooms.

If you're not sure, buy one used from the TB classifieds. If you don't find that it's useful enough to justify the price, just resell it. It is a great piece though and definitely worth the asking price.

If all you're looking for is a rock solid DI for live use and you're not planning on going with a preamp, you could get by just fine with a Countryman or Radial or Sansamp. There are also the following worth considering:
Groove Tubes Brick (my current favorite)
A-Designs REDDI
Ridge Farm Gas Cooker
FMR RNP
Great River ME-1NV
...and several standalone preamps.

[chuckbiscuit]

good point! I've used a Radial DI before and I liked it alot, but it was in the studio and with a different bass than my live bass.

[chuckbiscuit]

I forgot about the "brick". That was another one I was looking at. How much do they sell for?

[RONQUITO]

Originally Posted by chuckbiscuit

good point! I've used a Radial DI before and I liked it alot, but it was in the studio and with a different bass than my live bass.

Meaning?

[msquared]

Originally Posted by chuckbiscuit

I forgot about the "brick". That was another one I was looking at. How much do they sell for?

A bit less than the U5: http://www.humbuckermusic.com/grtubrprdibo.html

Usually used they go for a little over $300, if you can find them.

[lambro]

The U5 is ok, its all relative though, I would get a REDDI over it in a heartbeat

also the simple Radial JDI sounds better than the U5

the U5 tone section might be helpful for slap players whcih is something to consider

otherwise ask yourself why you see so many used U5s for sale

[msquared]

Originally Posted by lambro

The U5 is ok, its all relative though, I would get a REDDI over it in a heartbeat

also the simple Radial JDI sounds better than the U5

the U5 tone section might be helpful for slap players whcih is something to consider

otherwise ask yourself why you see so many used U5s for sale

You see a lot of used U5s for sale because not everyone needs a $575 DI box with a speaker level input and preset mix curves. It's not because they sound bad. If you look through Mix magazine or any other info source which details backline gear lists you see U5s all over the place.

I see a lot of Stingrays for sale too but there aren't too many people who would consider them bad basses. It's all about what you need and what you're willing to spend. For some cats, it's a high dollar piece of gear that's easy to sacrifice when it comes to pay the rent or buy drugs.

[EricF]

I have a Radial JDI, and Avalon U5, and a SansAmp RBI. For recording, they're different animals for different tasks. I do like the U5 for what it is, and sometimes it's the right sound for the moment. A JDI into an ART MPA Gold pre is also very nice for a fat tone. The RBI gets used to simulate a tube amp rig, and is usually run in parallel with the JDI or U5 and then mixed together for whatever the song needs.

The U5 was worth is to me (used for $400-ish). I probably wouldn't have paid full price for a new one, however.

For live sound, it's hard to argue with the size, simplicity, durability and sound of the JDI.

[fokof]

I prefer the TD-100 over the U5....

[Jazzdogg]

The question I keep asking myself is: Radial JDI or Radial JDV?

[bchamorro]

JDI!