New Khan Mini DI

[scubaduba]

Been testing this protoype and pretty fond of it. Obeid Khan is back at it working on a smaller form factor.
This one runs off 9 volts and just over 500ma making it much more pedalboared friendly. I've been powering it off a single port on a CIOKS DC7 no problem.

It's approximately 4"x5". Here's a pick of the prototype beside a production standard size.

Here's some audio.
First round is a jazz bass in passive (no eq) straight to console for reference.
Second round is the original Khan DI box.
Third round is the new mini Khan DI box.

Note: I had to gain up the first round bass only in passive due to it being low output to match the default output of the Khan DI boxes which naturally thicken up the output. Therefore you do hear added noise in the first round.

 

[ShadowGroover]

All 3 sound good to me. Good things in small packages are appreciated, especially if the purchase pile of dough is smaller. That's rare in miniaturization, though, with pricing usually similar, but sometimes even more.

 

[tb-player]

I think this is the best move he could make. I’ve owned v1 and v2 and they do not disappoint. I would love to see this smaller version still with the illuminated KHAN logo.

I’ll be first in line when they are available

 

[TaySte_2000]

Dammit

 

[getBAK]

Oh wow - I adore my VTDI, and my only real critique's are the size and power consumption.

... I'm interested...

What tube is the mini using? I know the PAK's use the 6AQ5 - maybe that's what's being used here

 

[drumvsbass]

Dammit

came here just to say this....

 

[Erithon]

Intriguing. I love and use the Khan V2--I even managed to mount it under my smaller pedalboard--but I would happily purchase a smaller version if it were lighter in weight and sounded as good. The 9V 500mA is a nice bonus.

Listening to those audio samples, the mini version sounds brighter with more upper mids and less lower mids. From this demo, I prefer the original.

Some questions for @scubaduba:

1. What is the weight of the prototype?
2. What is third dimension of the prototype? 4" x 5" x ?"
3. Besides the smaller enclosure and pivot from a mains power supply via IEC cable to a 9V DC 500mA input, what--if any--changes have been made to the circuit?

 

[gtirard]

Been testing this protoype and pretty fond of it. Obeid Khan is back at it working on a smaller form factor.
This one runs off 9 volts and just over 500ma making it much more pedalboared friendly. I've been powering it off a single port on a CIOKS DC7 no problem.

It's approximately 4"x5". Here's a pick of the prototype beside a production standard size.

View attachment 7432791

Here's some audio.
First round is a jazz bass in passive (no eq) straight to console for reference.
Second round is the original Khan DI box.
Third round is the new mini Khan DI box.

Note: I had to gain up the first round bass only in passive due to it being low output to match the default output of the Khan DI boxes which naturally thicken up the output. Therefore you do hear added noise in the first round.

Interesting.

If you had to chose between this smaller Khan and the Jad Freer Luce, which one would you keep?

 

[Chris Chong]

Pedal board friendly is tempting.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Khan is amazing. Literally amazing. As in sounds fantastic, looks great, is built like a tank, and somehow fits in a small package. I don’t have a Khan DI, but I do have a Pak Amp. It sounds fantastic into an amp or line out to a board.

I’d love to try his smaller DI. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Obeid Khan’s products (or his musicianship).

 

[Afc70]

I love my Khan.. I’ve been using it for a few years and it’s amazing.. Since I have a very minimalistic pedalboard, I’m very pleased with it overall & the size isn’t an issue. Great to see Obed continuing to develop new ideas & refinements with his DI though, thanks for sharing, Scubaduba!

 

[scubaduba]

Oh wow - I adore my VTDI, and my only real critique's are the size and power consumption.

... I'm interested...

What tube is the mini using? I know the PAK's use the 6AQ5 - maybe that's what's being used here

Same 12AU7 as the current version.

 

[scubaduba]

I think this is the best move he could make. I’ve owned v1 and v2 and they do not disappoint. I would love to see this smaller version still with the illuminated KHAN logo.

I’ll be first in line when they are available

It’s lit.

 

[SLO Surfer]

It’s lit.

View attachment 7433172

“Does the logo still light up,” was my biggest question about this new version as well!

 

[projectapollo]

Interesting.

If you had to chose between this smaller Khan and the Jad Freer Luce, which one would you keep?

The one that could be repaired in the US.

 

[prndltech]

Whoa. I didn’t see this coming… If it sounds the same and has the XLR out the front I may have to get one to go with my v2.

 

[scubaduba]

All 3 sound good to me. Good things in small packages are appreciated, especially if the purchase pile of dough is smaller. That's rare in miniaturization, though, with pricing usually similar, but sometimes even more.

Looking at around $399 for the mini.

 

[prndltech]

Looking at around $399 for the mini.

What’s your initial impression vs. the full size?

 

[scubaduba]

Whoa. I didn’t see this coming… If it sounds the same and has the XLR out the front I may have to get one to go with my v2.

Did you listen to the audio sample? What do you think?

 

[prndltech]

I did, a few times and to me it sounded like there was maybe a little more lows/low mids on the full size than the mini? Definitely seemed like there was a little more something on the full size, but sometimes i second guess myself on whether or not i really heard it.

Since you’ve spent more time with it than the small sample we heard I just curious of your initial impressions