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Firefly or Reddi

diglo

diglo

Supporting Member
May 21, 2007
2,511
1,227
SMYRNA, TN
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Get up! Get Get Get Down!
#1
Looking to purchase a tube DI. I know a lot of you guys like the Reddi, but has anyone played tried out the firefly. It was released this month, but I know it was at NAMM. Leaning toward the Reddi, but would like to hear your thoughts on the firefly also. Can it get as vintage as the Reddi? Thanks.
 
#2
I'm researching a tube DI as well. The Firefly looks interesting. Radial makes great stuff. I like that the "tube" part of the signal can be sent to the 1/4" out so it can go to your solid state/FET amp and give it that tubbiness. YOu can't do that on a REDDI.
 
#5
Virgil said:
Well that's not totally correct. I own a REDDI, and I can take the XLR from the REDDI into the front of my Markbass LM II. But generally speaking he is correct.
Click to expand...
I hesitate to ask this...do you run the REDDI into the LMII and then take the DI out of the LMII? Please say no. Used to have an LMII and thought it sounded quite good, but the DI is adequate at best.
 
#6
I missed the announcement of the Radial Firefly, just Googled it, neat product! They basically added a 12AX7 to their top-of-the-line JDV. Found one magazine review, which was excessively gushing with praise like most such reviews, but the writer did "let slip" that overdriving the tube doesn't sound so great, using a P bass. Also I haven't found any specs (even on the Radial site) saying exactly what is the slope or corner frequency of the low-cut filter; have to assume it is not low enough or steep enough for bass amp/cab optimizing. On the plus side, it does use an output transformer, which will likely help give that extra "sheen" to the tone, as well as blocking phantom power to prevent damage.

I actually doubt it will be a direct competitor for the REDDI, tonewise, but instead will compete with the Summit TD100.
 
#7
Technology is like a bus. If you need to ride right now, you take the bus that stops to pick you up. No one is willing to spend a couple of weeks/months waiting at the bus stop for a hypothetical new bus.

In the case of the OP, REDDI is available today. Need it now? It's available now. Order it today and receive it tomorrow.

In the case of the Firefly, it does not appear to be in anyone's stock yet.

Assuming both were available, I'd order both. Then, I would compare and contrast, keeping the most suitable, both, or neither, depending on my need.
 
#10
After reading a bit and visiting with actual users of similar gear, I don't think a tube DI will get me what I am looking for.
Neither will an Avalon U5 or V5 but I love the pristine sound an Avalon U5 gives as well.
I need a "Geddy Lee" rig - Avalon U5 for clean and Tech21 product for dirt. Mix and enjoy!
 
#12
I had a REDDI and liked it, but in the end I found a Retrospoec SqeezeBox and liked it better.
What's this gott o do with a Firefly you ask? well, just two features of the Firefly, pre/post tube on the Thru output, and the Hipass filter make me want to try out the Firefly
 
#15
You don't see external power supplies on tube gear unless it's starved plate design. Starved plate is better than no tube at all IMHO, but it's hardly what us raging tube snobs call "tube."

;)
 
#16
JimmyM said:
You don't see external power supplies on tube gear unless it's starved plate design. Starved plate is better than no tube at all IMHO, but it's hardly what us raging tube snobs call "tube."

;)
Click to expand...

Agreed, that design is intended sole to go with the tube trend bucks, I am sure that is a fine DI maybe not up to par with reddi, but the price will be the final popularity factor.
 
#17
Oops...have to correct myself. Was just informed that the Kern IP-777 has an external PS and a non-starved plate design as well as two actual transformers. They're not huge, but they're respectable.

OK, so that makes one ;)
 
#18
JimmyM said:
Oops...have to correct myself. Was just informed that the Kern IP-777 has an external PS and a non-starved plate design as well as two actual transformers. They're not huge, but they're respectable.

OK, so that makes one ;)
Click to expand...

I was keeping quiet about that one. ;)

Mine is a non-wall wart model, but they did make them with external power supplies.

Although, you might want to count the transformers...

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