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I've been eyeing the new (mini) Khan, but it seems optimized for being mounted on top of a pedalboard. That's not my use case--I mount my full-sized Khan below to give more real estate for pedals--and the orientation of the input, output, and power jacks on the mini version doesn't seem like it will work for my needs. Specifically, the fact that the power jack protrudes from a third side, rather than either the input or output sides, is unfortunate. If I want to orient the new Khan so the output jack is accessible, then I only have 5.25" to play with below my Mono Lite Plus pedalboard. And reports are the new Khan measures ~5" on its long side. With a power jack plugged in, it seems like it won't fit. Bummer. I would have loved the weight reduction.
Can someone with the new Khan provide precise measurements (including the power jack)? Scuba's initial post states it is approximately 4" x 5" and he kindly later confirmed the height is 1.7" with rubber feet and 1.54 without feet. Is that 4" x 5" exact or are the length and width in fact something a little different?
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The things I mentioned in this post. The new one is much more pedalboard friendly.
I ordered on Wednesday. The Mini made it as far as my local distribution center but won't be delivered until Monday due to the holiday. Tantalizingly close. I'm super stoked to finally get a Khan back in the arsenal. I've owned two different VTDIs and only got rid of them because they weren't as pedalboard-friendly as some other options. Loved the tone.
Got mine in today, it’s a thick sounding DI, felt great playing into it. All of things you’d expect a good tube DI to do and it is dead silent which I love.
I had the old model at one time and am seriously thinking about getting the new smaller model. Thanks for the feedback.
I had the newer older model and I liked it but it wasn’t a lot more board friendly than my REDDI honestly. I didn’t mind the extra power cable but the ins and outs didn’t lay well for me. This one has addressed all those issues - even power. My DC7 has a few empty outlets yet.
Of course! It’s very light as well, came with a power supply (no box??) and so far has taken pedals well. I’m probably going to be using some sort of tone shaper into it and the Tech 21 VTDI sounds great before the tube goodness
Here's a quick test run; my Yamaha BB435 Lollar Precision bass pickup into either the Khan or the Mantle (set flat not the settings in the photo)> Avedis MA5 (gain at minimum) > Retro Doublewide compressor not applying much compression at all > Logic with no processing.
I realize that the Khan is the point but that is also a v nice 500 comp.
Just listening on a computer monitor speaker (better than a laptop, but still awful), that Khan is much superior. IMO.
The Mantle sounds stuffy and boxy by comparison, but I've never heard a Mantle demo I liked. YMMV.
The Mantle sounds like a solid state preamp/DI and the EQ is nice on it. I can’t knock it, have been gigging it for months and haven’t been able to knock it off the board. I do wish there was a mids control which is why the VTbass is on the board for now. All of that said the Khan sounds just right to me. Getting to use it tonight on a gig and it sounds pretty huge in the ears. Have a Darkglass Harmonic booster coming in to pair with it.
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They are different animals but I like the sound of the Khan best. I’m really tempted to get one (again as I had the previous version) to warm up my Stomp.
I run everything I track through it regardless of gain reduction. Unit just sounds great as does the Avedis MA5 a must try mic pre
Indeed, the MA5 is gold too. Not too often I hear of others using 500 gear here on TB.
