Radial JDV or J48?

[lowfreqgeek]

I have some amazing DIs (DB900, GT Brick, JDI), but I think a unity-gain active DI would suit my needs a little better. I really like the features of the JDV (multiple inputs, multiple outputs, etc), and am planning on purchasing one.

However... Perhaps the J48 would give me as much fidelity as the JDV at a little lower cost. I am selling the Brick and would likely sell the DB900 (though I love it), and keep the JDI. So the question is, am I better served with a JDI and J48, or JDI and JDV?

The J48 is nice cause of the phantom power and no AC plug. The JDV is just so sexy, though - and I've used one before and loved it!

Thoughts?

 

[svtb15]

Personally I would go with the J48 active.. I always like an active DI... and I dont need or know many people that need all of the extra stuff on the JDV box..
Not that the JDI isnt good.. I just like an active DI... For all basses .. Passive or Active...
But i use a REDDI all the time... nothing compares to it in my opinion..

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I suppose the J48 is more practical for various reasons. However, having played through a JDV live, I just can't get that idea out of my head. This will also be used in the studio (pro and project studios), so it would be nice to not rely on phantom power like I would with the J48. I also like the idea of 2 switchable inputs as I often use a fretted and fretless on the same session or gig.

Then again, the JDI and DB900 both serve as great backup DIs in cases where phantom power is not available or I have a really great preamp to boost the signal. I suppose I could get the J48, sell the JDI, and keep the DB900 for studio use. That's a nice idea...

I kinda like to think the JDV could be my only DI and I'd be set for life. Not sure if that's true of the J48, but it very well could be. I'm an engineer and overkill is my way of life.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

It's not just about the extra features. The J48 does not compare sonically. It also doesn't have the stupendous headroom that makes the JDV so useful for unusually hot signals.

If I were in the OP's shoes, I would go with the JDV, keeping the JDI around as a passive backup.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I'm definitely most concerned with sonic transparency over features. I've never tried a J48, only the JDI and JDV. I do recall Anthony Jackson recommending the J48 here on TB, though. Here it is:

In my experience, if you want to use your own preamp, best results are likely to come using a separate DI. Avalon and Millenia Media are good preamp choices. My personal DI choice is the Radial J48. Good luck.

That's has some weight with me.

 

[jmeyers44]

It's not just about the extra features. The J48 does not compare sonically. It also doesn't have the stupendous headroom that makes the JDV so useful for unusually hot signals.

If I were in the OP's shoes, I would go with the JDV, keeping the JDI around as a passive backup.

+1

Marcus and Victor both used the JDV on the Thunder Tour.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Well, I did it.

I went for the J48. The nearly $200 price difference swayed me. I may sell the JDI and keep the DB900, though. I really do love the sound of the DB900 with an adequate preamp to boost the signal, but not every low-end board has a decent preamp. Sometimes the Jensen-equipped DIs end up suffering through poor preamps which add noise and distortion that could otherwise be avoided with a hotter signal (like unity) going in. It might be nice to keep the DB900 for studio use and use the J48 live. We'll see...

Thanks for the input.

 

[Munjibunga]

It's not just about the extra features. The J48 does not compare sonically. It also doesn't have the stupendous headroom that makes the JDV so useful for unusually hot signals.

If I were in the OP's shoes, I would go with the JDV, keeping the JDI around as a passive backup.

It would be interesting to do a double-blind test between the JDV and J48. I doubt there's any discernable difference in the sound. Also, for hot signals, the J48 has a 15dB pad. I use one with my Fodera going into the board all the time.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

The J48 is a good active box. At this level, you're not going to hear a massive difference through average home recording gear, but you will in any demanding application.

I've only worked briefly with a JDV, but there was a marked, audible difference with the Drag control engaged. It also handled a hot Synth output better.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

The J48 is a good active box. At this level, you're not going to hear a massive difference through average home recording gear, but you will in any demanding application.

I've only worked briefly with a JDV, but there was a marked, audible difference with the Drag control engaged. It also handled a hot Synth output better.

Yeah, I used the JDV for a few days when The Perfect Bass accidentally shipped me one of those instead of the JDI I had ordered (I had it over a weekend). I had the Avalon U5 at the time and considering keeping the JDV and selling the U5, but I had only paid for the JDI and was low on the extra cash - so it went back and they sent the JDI.

I'm leaning toward keeping the Aguilar DB900 for studio use and I'd be really surprised if the JDV was significantly better than the DB900. The DB900 has plenty of headroom and sounds fantastic through high-end preamps (Focusrite Red, Grace, Avalon, etc). Even the preamps in my RME Fireface sound incredibly tight and round with the DB900 on the front end.

 

[cnltb]

Here another nice DI box...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[TonyP-]

I pretty much use the JDV 95% live and love it as does every soundman I work with.

I know it might be overkill for some but think about it like this...That box is what everyone is going to hear out front.
I'm not going to second guess it at all. I also run some effects in front of it and I want it as clear as possible to the house.

Its funny as bass players most of us don't question $200 price difference in a bass but in a DI will will (PS that is not a dig lowfreqgeek, just a observation of many).