hey all, in my search for that pristine sound from bass to cab, i've been thinking of being a little different and using a Manley Mono Tube DI. but i've never been good with specs, and am trying to see if it'll feed my new yet slightly used QSC power amp (thx Daytona!). i'm thinking it will, since many guys are using the Avalon U5, but can anyone help me make sense of these specs? Manley Mono Tube DI: Gain: -6dB or -26dB Input Z: 10 M ohm to 1 M ohm Output Z: 150 ohm xfmr 12 Hz -15KHz @-3dB EQ: LF rolloff -3dB points: 12, 42, 100, 250Hz Transformer-Coupled Balanced XLR Output Console Out Boost Switch Ground Lift Switch QSC PLX1602 power amp: Input Impedance 6 k ohms unbalanced, 12 k ohms balanced Input Clipping 10 Vrms (+22 dB)
Like any true D.I., it has no gain. In fact, it drops the signal down to mic level, which is generally considered -40. This is what your mic pre is looking to amplify. You should not use this (or any D.I.) to drive a power amp. Won't work well, if it works at all. Think of your bass putting out between -20 and 0. The Manely drops it from -6 to -26 so that the mic pre is happy. Power amp, unhappy! The Avalon seems to be more like a preamp with a balanced output than a normal D.I. It has gain!