Rupert Neeve RNDI vs Radial JDI

[Bartok]

Thank you for you point of view, guys! My 1073 clone has a Hi-Z input too, bit I don’t know if it would bypasses the inout transformer. Anyway, this preamp sounds awesome even if you don’t use its EQ!

Anyway, I’ll try to test a RNDI...

 

[lookah]

When comparing the RNDI, be sure you know the input impedance of the other DI or preamp you're comparing it to. The RNDI uses the "golden standard" of Hi-Z input impedance value for guitars and basses of 1Mohm.

Yes, the RNDI does indeed sound great and I run mine through my Golden Age Pre-73 mic input to take advantage both the Hi-Z input impedance and the transformer signal flow.

That's because many Neve clones like the GAP, kept the original specs of 100kohm hiz input impedance and also don't pass the signal through the transformers. Whereas API's, for example, will have 1Mohm and go through the transformers. As a low budget example you can just stick any Boss pedal (will have 1MOhm inputs both on and off because they are buffered bypass) in front of a Neve Hiz input and it will instantly sound more lively.

There are some newer Neve clones, I think the heritage audio for one, that have addressed this. They have the higher 1M input impedance and also send the signal flow through the Transformers.

Anyway, all this to say that the different values of hiz input impedance might get in the way of a proper A/B test!

 

[confuoco]

When comparing the RNDI, be sure you know the input impedance of the other DI or preamp you're comparing it to. The RNDI uses the "golden standard" of Hi-Z input impedance value for guitars and basses of 1Mohm.

Yes, the RNDI does indeed sound great and I run mine through my Golden Age Pre-73 mic input to take advantage both the Hi-Z input impedance and the transformer signal flow.

That's because many Neve clones like the GAP, kept the original specs of 100kohm hiz input impedance and also don't pass the signal through the transformers. Whereas API's, for example, will have 1Mohm and go through the transformers. As a low budget example you can just stick any Boss pedal (will have 1MOhm inputs both on and off because they are buffered bypass) in front of a Neve Hiz input and it will instantly sound more lively.

There are some newer Neve clones, I think the heritage audio for one, that have addressed this. They have the higher 1M input impedance and also send the signal flow through the Transformers.

Anyway, all this to say that the different values of hiz input impedance might get in the way of a proper A/B test!

Can you explain this signal chain a little more “explain to me like I’m 5 years old” to me? I have both the RNDI and the GAP 73 and would love to use them together but not really sure what this looks like, the benefits of it, and I’d love to try and understand the rationale…

 

[wolffire99]

Can you explain this signal chain a little more "explain to me like I'm 5 years old" to me? I have both the RNDI and the GAP 73 and would love to use them together but not really sure what this looks like, the benefits of it, and I'd love to try and understand the rationale…

I’m not an expert but I’ll try.

Impedance is the size of the pathway your signal can flow through. Low impedance inputs like the gap or radial jdi will choke your tone with passive pickups. High impedance inputs like RNDI have an extra large pathway allowing your entire sound to get through easily which results in clearer punchier sound.

In your situation you can run the RNDI into the gap for best case with a passive instrument. Or if running into gap directly go through a buffer like strobostomp tuner first in buffer mode to “impedance match”.

 

[TonyP-]

I’m not an expert but I’ll try.

Impedance is the size of the pathway your signal can flow through. Low impedance inputs like the gap or radial jdi will choke your tone with passive pickups. High impedance inputs like RNDI have an extra large pathway allowing your entire sound to get through easily which results in clearer punchier sound.

In your situation you can run the RNDI into the gap for best case with a passive instrument. Or if running into gap directly go through a buffer like strobostomp tuner first in buffer mode to “impedance match”.

Just to add to this older thread…I own both and like both the RNDI and JDI but for different reasons.

The RNDI does incorporate the Neve vibe and clarity. It wider in harmonic structure. It’s what I use all the time live and what not.
The JDI is my backup live DI if there is the rare chance that there is no phantom power and I will use it to records but it most certainly mellows out the high end slightly. I fell like the hotter the signal the more it does it. I actually like it a lot for a vintage vibe type of DI.