I've had crummy results from several spendy DIs that weren't worth a penny... most notably Radial stuff. Tried a Pro48 on bass... was very disappointed as the thing simply would not pass a signal. And then the Pro2D I used for backing tracks became unreliable... having developed an incorrigible ground loop. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop on the ProDI I use for keyboard. Plus, all the Radials are super heavy.
So, needless to say, I'm no Radial fanboi. Since the ground loop ordeal with the ProD2, I've been using Mackie MDB-2P boxes for backing tracks... sound good plus cheap & reliable... so I can carry multiple backups to the gig without breaking the bank or my back. I expect it won't be long until the ProD2 I'm using on keys goes toes-up, when it does I'll probably just use one of the Mackie boxes instead.
On bass, I've been a long-time user of the BDDI2 with no gripes.
I also have a Pinstripe DISO+ box I'm intending to use when I build my next Helix rig. The DISO+ box isn't a DI, it's a "dual-line isolator". Pinstripe claims:
"If you are using FX DSP simulation/load boxes such as the iK Tonex, UA Ruby/Dream/Woodrow, Strymon Iridium, Line 6 HX Stomp, Boss IR-200/IR-2, Walrus ACS1, Line 6 HX Effects and are interfacing them in a live situation, you shouldn’t be using a direct box (for impedance matching) but should be using a 'line isolator' . These simulators have outputs on ¼ inch connectors but no way to ground lift in the event of ground loop noise. A line isolator won’t drop your signal level like a direct box will, but will maintain the line level while giving the ability to ground lift and eliminate noise when running your guitar signal to the main PA. In addition, transformer isolation insures that phantom power from the console never touches the outputs of your FX pedal."
We shall see.
