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Firefly or Reddi

#25
diglo said:
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.
Click to expand...

The Firefly has pretty lights - but buy the REDDI.

There’s no published Firefly specs (that I know) - only marketing hype (NAMM, etc) - and the short review that bongo already pointed out (post #6). So until someone who has one pops it open a shares a few pictures and knows more about the external power supply other than it connects through the 5-pin XLR and runs on 100 to 240 VAC - there in nothing to say about the Firefly other than it looks pretty.

EDIT: BTW, there is nothing wrong with an external power supply (less possible noise issues, weight, etc) can be a good idea - but for a good tube preamp lets not confuse a good beefy eternal power supply with a wall wart.
 
#26
Passinwind said:
One of them appears to only have two leads and hence be an inductor, probably a power supply choke. Still qualifies as meaningful iron though...
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yeah, i thought about one being a choke too, and it does look like it has only two leads, but for a preamp, IMO, a choke is kind of unnecessary, since they're generally used tube amps basically for the power section.
 
#28
Yeah, I guess you guys are right. I tend to think of all external PS's as wall warts to replace a battery. But being a raging tube snob now, I will still look down on them ;)

Except for pedals. They rule for pedals.
 
#29
Hi Guys;

Peter here from Radial... I thought I would take a minute to chime in on the Firefly and give y’all some inside info.

Firefly Architecture
The Firefly is made up of several components to create the signal channel. The input is 100% discrete class-A without a traditional negative feedback loop. This results in a more open sound without circuit stabilizing circuitry. This also enables us to introduce load correction. This lets you better adapt the input impedance to match the instrument.

Next comes the tube drive. We employ an external power supply and a charge pump that delivers about 130 volts to the tube filament (heater). This is not a ‘glory tube’ or low voltage distortion effect. But as I am sure some of you know, a 12AX7 needs between 100 and 400 volts to run properly for clean tone.

The output is then sent to a custom designed Radial transformer. This has two benefits: transformers naturally cause a limiting effect as they saturate. This is pleasing to us humans. This also benefits by providing isolation which can help to eliminate hum & buzz caused by ground loops.

Tube Distortion
The only printed review so far was done by James Taylor’s engineer David Morgan. You can read it on our web site. I do not remember anything about distortion... but here is an excerpt for those that are interested:

"...the Firefly performed in a league of its own. The sound had strength, character and beautiful resonance. On the electric guitar, it sounded like a great, clean amp....During the private show we recently did...the Firefly performed liked a champion. The bass sound it renders is warm and round, yet still big and punchy. The harmonic content is fantastic...I have a strong feeling the Firefly is going to be a very popular product for my friends at Radial..."

I guess my point here is that the Firefly is NOT about distortion although you can drive it hard for some tube grit. It is about producing the best most accurate sound while introducing the warmth and character of a tube. Often, people on forums judge products all too quickly... and I certainly agree with some posts where the writer asks: have you heard it or used it? Opinions are fine, but certainly best after actual auditioning.

Credible Users
We sent pre-production runs of the Firefly to a select number of artists and engineers and so far, we have received comments from the following :

Al Schmitt (Capitol Records)
David Morgan (James Taylor)
Will Lee
Nathan East

I will make sure their comments are posted for you to view at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Please note that I rarely have the time to view posts and reply... but I did want to make sure you had the true story regarding the Firefly. I am sure the Reddy is very good and Avalon’s (solid state) U5 is also a good box as we have tested it and taken it apart. The Firefly is one of those boxes that you need to sit back, close your eyes and listen to.

We start shipping the Firefly globally next week. (May 2012)

Peter Janis
President
Radial Engineering Ltd.
 
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#34
OK, so it's been a few hours and nobody else has brought it up, so I guess I'm going to have to...while technically not "starved plate," 130v is still quite low, isn't it? And not because people are looking for more saturation, but doesn't the tube impart more of that tubey thing if it operates at higher voltages? Sure seems like it to me, but admittedly, I'm no expert, just going by what I've seen. And again, I've said many times on here that I think starved plate designs do work to warm up the sound a bit. I'm just saying don't expect something with starved plate to sound like a B-15.

And I do agree that maybe some of us were a little harsh at first. Now that I see the explanation, it seems as though this DI is a direct competitor for the U5 rather than something like the REDDI which is way more tube amp-ish in nature...like trying to beat the U5 at its own game. Might very well be the case...but I was never a fan of the U5. A lot of people are, though, so it'll probably do well with that crowd.

But in my defense for speculating without hearing, I'll quote Oscar Wilde here: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Plus, it turns out I'm pretty good at speculating for a bass player ;)
 
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#35
Bonemeister said:
Next comes the tube drive. We employ an external power supply and a charge pump that delivers about 130 volts to the tube filament (heater). This is not a ‘glory tube’ or low voltage distortion effect. But as I am sure some of you know, a 12AX7 needs between 100 and 400 volts to run properly for clean tone.

The output is then sent to a custom designed Radial transformer. This has two benefits: transformers naturally cause a limiting effect as they saturate. This is pleasing to us humans. This also benefits by providing isolation which can help to eliminate hum & buzz caused by ground loops.
Click to expand...

Hi Peter, thanks for chiming in. 130v is low - typical 12AX7 plate voltage is much higher. Please post a pic of the power supply (expressly the charge pump, transformer, etc). Thanks
 
#36
Also, with no disrespect to any engineers, manufactures, reps, marketing, distribution, sales, bass bros, etc.

NOTE: The word "Tube" is commonly used as a marketing buzzword with cheaper staved plate tube preamps that in reality really mostly just adds noise to the signal - but they serve those who can’t afford higher priced equipment but still want some so called tube warmth.

EDIT: btw, I even like SS burr browns. ;)
 
#40
I'm interested to hear it, the REDDI is the only tube DI that I have tried that sounded like the tube made any significant difference, so hopefully this DI will sit somewhere between the U5 and the REDDI, and if it is reasonably priced in comparison to those two, might see a whole lot more consumers...

All the Radial stuff I have tried so far has been top notch so I expect this to at least maintain that standard
 

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