All user reviews for the Avalon U5

Avalon U5 (ultra five) Live Bote.

It is a DI with very complte connectivity, you can even plug in a tube amp (if it is still connected his cabinet of course !!).

The internal equalizer allows six prdfinies of equal positions late to correct certain frequencies.
Personally I would prfr far a veritable equalizer 3 band but it is all the same fficient.

The bcane is strong and look inspires confidence.

USE


Very easy to learn, nothing to report.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is good but a little "hi."
It has a sacrerserve volume and provides no breath.
An unflattering in severe with low, it makes a very good momentum in a mix.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I sold my U5.
This is a very good DI everyone know but its a bit ct "hi" to me of the end.
I created a forum topic that explains the problems that I had to interfrences with this device.
Indeed according to the instruments I used sometimes I sometimes catch the radio! Very annoying when trying to register fawn clean !!

So my DI mode Pramp Universal Audio enough for me, it sounds fatter and warm, perhaps less prcis and Detailed but at least I did not pick one with Europe !!

Avalon Five Ultra DI.
Pure Class A made in USA.
Connectivity very complte, reliable, robust device.

USE

Very easy to use, nothing to report.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is good with a good gain only feature, the equalizer provides intrssantes corrections.
What I least that's packed ct a little "Stereo" / Transistor, I had a lot of problems to interfrences (see my topic on the forum) as instruments branchs I happened to catch the radio? !!!
Bizarre but I'm finally spar.

NOTICE GLOBAL

1 year used in the studio and then sold my Pramp AU 6176 finally was enough.
This is a good device but it seems improved, the sound is a little Synthetic too got my own.

+ DI preamp clasea 6 presets and adjusting the input level

UTILIZATION

Super simple once the connections made. For the latter, there are opportunities to enter after a jack output a speaker that would also benefit from a combo that already color the sound as you like.
Guests can also get together for the entrance of his combo (back scene Personal) and for sound input.

SOUND QUALITY

One thing is certain is that this means even if you do not use the presets.
Not that U5 distorts the sound, but it magnifies the airs, gives depth to want you in here, enhances the dynamics and gum which is aggressive or unpleasant.
It's simple, when I use it in rp, group members are impressed by the class of sound and the ability to not get tired. Disadvantage small complex for others (okay there's no jealousy but be careful as it might sound quality that is clearly out of the lot).
Even more obvious in our model.
The downside to the preset that are too oriented dug equalization (very good for slap and modern sound) .il I miss a preset with a bump medium (I play funk fingers). So 8 instead of 10

OVERALL OPINION

6 months and not ready to part
Plus, purity and magnificence of sound, and that's a pure pleasure
Least, no interruteur sector and preset with medium hump
I would not change that if Avalon gommait these oversights.
For me, the price is justified and I am very happy with my purchase.

Bottom Live transistor "pure class A".
Input jack on the front, line and XLR mic at the back, headphone output.
Adjustment of input and 6 preset EQ level.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use, I used primarily in home studio before a sound card.

SOUND QUALITY

This DI box is transparent and very clean, does not stain at all. I use it with bass, electric guitars and electro-acoustics.
It is fabulous with low, one branch, it sets a preset and it sounds, this is terrible.
A guitarist friend was impressed by the sound of his electro-acoustic spent in the U5, I think it was conquered!

OVERALL OPINION

I have one thing to say go for it!
Of course, this DI box is not cheap though everything he brings is soon forgotten its price. It is simple to use and most importantly it SOUNDS!
The only criticism I can make is that there is no switch on / off.

This is a DI output with a line or mic level. It contains a transistor preamp and EQ presets.

UTILIZATION

I often used to record the bass and guitar. I much prefer neve 1073 for bass. on the other hand for a stat in the clear, it's beautiful. I used it a few times in concert without an amp (A Ramp Grenoble) with a Precision and it is very comfortable for little there worthy returns the name.

SOUND QUALITY

It is transparent and soft. Eq presets are quite strange I think. The one I prefer is No. 2 on the Precision. On Jazzbass and Strat, I disable eq.

OVERALL OPINION

This is an excellent DI that can replace an amp Live sound if the conditions are good. Recording is essential, but Neve often come first. I think it's better on a guitar than a bass. On the low against it can be used as reinforcements of a microphone jack. For the price used is valid because it has a DI with a preamp for about 300 euros. Eq presets are rarely used in my opinion. I would have perhaps not bought new.

I was looking for a preamp / DI to transform the impedance and attack a compressor properly DBX 160A
I eventually turned my traditional amps (bass mark) to go directly into a PA amp.





To the sound is simply excellent, it is always in the most accurate, not a fart breath.

For lovers of transistor, the foot, I would say that this preamp coupled to an amplifier PA is the best solution for me amplifying transistor.

on the other hand, if you prefer heat lamps, and many buy the lamp, the U5 is not just that.

UTILIZATION

the boost up to 30 db is very effective, the sound is clear, it is difficult to get the signal distortion.

Presets équalsation board are great and well oriented to the bottom, however, I still recommend having a real equalizer (or rack then an integrated bass preamp) for more flexibility on the equalizer.

SOUND QUALITY

I am very satisfied on all uses, it is very neutral and accurate, I feel that the bandwidth is extended (I got more bass) compared to preamps that equipped my MB heads.

OVERALL OPINION

I put 9 and not 10 because I think it would have been desirable to carry a meter to indicate the level of output (useful for attacking a console or sound card) and I would also add a mute is always helpful.

Characteristics are known and available in pdf at:
http://www.avalondesign.com/pdfs/hr_avalonLit_U5.pdf

Note that you can:
- Use it as a DI and link to his amp
- Connect to the amp and connect the DI out of the amp to the U before attacking the patch
- But, I would say most importantly, connect the speaker output of the amp to the proper input on the U5 which becomes "power absorber" high quality (up to 400 W)

In all 3 cases you have the choice between out line level or microphone level
You also have the choice to use or not, one of six EQ presets available

In short: if it is not a Swiss Army Knife ....

UTILIZATION

It is "plug and play" connect, test the EQ .... play!

On first use it is the Shoe Fits in less than 15 minutes.

SOUND QUALITY

That's where we reached Nirvana ... almost.

Frankly the signal given by the U5 is very classy! Its a real pro, a real signal studio!
I mainly play on a JazzBass American Deluxe 5 string which preamp high quality is recognized to attack the wonder of DI boxes for direct-sound.
With U5 is still taking another step toward excellence.
I mostly use presets 1 and 2, the second is perfect for erasing the "over-medium" of the jazz bass in rock contexts without a heavy sound ...

The only downside is probably that after a time, and in some specific cases, a more vintage look less clean sound a little mushy ..... and with U5 DI alone as it doesn ' is not possible: thus the stack studio on Spring!

In this regard the entry HP is very useful to dub old beast tube which we want to take the grain and / or do not have DI output but against on modern combos or heads (Markbass, Aguilar etc. .. ..) power stage "switching" it does nothing at all.

OVERALL OPINION

The price is not really democratic, but:

- You appear totally justified in taking his first
- And if the U5 is widespread in the spokes of our dear providers do not forget to ask about your data sheet!

To summarize I would say that U5 is typically the kind of equipment do we avoid a too long speech, but rather we recommend a trial of urgency at all concerned about his bass signal

The only HIC, you are warned, is that the U5 then quickly becomes indispensable and especially almost irreplaceable.
Not that there are no other manufacturers to offer high-end DI for bass, but they are often more expensive!


Epilogue: (true story!)

I (and others): - "ouaaahheuuu the super bass sound too cooool maaan!"
Artistic Director - "not bad mouai"
me: - "bah it does not then well I like ....?"
the art director - "not missing something, the last time we worked together you had more depth t'vois ah yes it is where your U5???"
me: - "erff beh ... it was not me and saw the price of my preamp I thought not ...."
Artistic Director - "remember your good friend we will repeat the shot with a U5"

no comments ....

What technology is used? (Analog transistor
What are the effects, or types of effects available? Dibox, EQ
What is the connection? jack and xlr
Is it a rack or rack-mount model? not

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple? yes very simple
Editing sounds and effects is easy? yes, but I do not like to use the eq in memory
The manual is clear and sufficient? the manual??

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of your instruments or your microphone is correctly reproduced? The preamp makes it clear or does it stain?

No staining

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
7 years
What is so special that you love the most, least? the eq programmed that I find very typical, but it's done on purpose, and unconvincing
sound on the guitar, bass and double bass, it's a bit s why we actually uses o)
Did you tried many other models before buying it? not

How would you rate the quality / price? good but it is expensive to buy secondhand if possible
With experience, you do again this choice? I do not know there are many other DIBs are also very good in this price range, also the cheapest, most expensive too

I will not dwell on this point already above

UTILIZATION

Nothing more simple plug made your settings and then nothing to say a regal, manufacturing quality is beyond reproach in a word beautiful

SOUND QUALITY

That the happiness of her nothing but its not short of breath the dream. the sound is a once formidable precision pass in this box
complement after 1 month of use: well this thing really is a monster

OVERALL OPINION

I possess for 4 days and up to now what I did for my bass served one term noguera 5 Live, with a preamp and gt6b ebs micro bass and each time the result is flawless j 'I also tested with my motif6es It looks very bad on the vintage keyboard but it takes a time. SO THAT'S GOOD IN ANY EVENT I must have another for 2 channels for my design and record bass and guitar at the same temps.au view of the results it is not so expensive add-in after 1 month of use: and well this thing really is a monster
the ultimate weapon for low stage, studio, I record a AW16G and the resulting maintenance of a miracle pure, precise heat that was not the case before u5, for example in my bass u5 that goes to my AW16G a reverb as an insert and tweaks and here I am with a slap in the comparable Victor Wooten so if I do not believe my ears even with a game very fast slap sound is still as well defined
and the conclusion is the same for the guitar in short a complete success and in addition it shows me that we could do a very good record on this small recorder and of making no adjustment that lasts for hours after records and the sound is immediately

See the link for the manufacturer

UTILIZATION

There is not as simple configuration ... The manual page is sufficient and allows to have the schematic curves of the different positions EQ "tone".

SOUND QUALITY

I've had 4 days and tested mainly with my passive bass (congig Jazz Bass, microphones DELANO JC4 AL - http://www.delano.de/english/index-eng.html - I put the link because of AF This brand is not listed!).

Captures the sound, but it's not a "miracle".
If I compare the sound of dry leaves U5 (without going through the "tone") with the dry sound that comes out of the table if the bass is plugged directly into it, and even listening level, the main difference is in the breath. There're much less in the U5 is indisputable!

For the difference in tone color, not much, really. on the other hand I do not listen sufficiently "high end" to make a good comparison, the 171K and 271K AKG headphones do not like the bass, and saturate (drool) quickly. The sound is not clear beyond a certain level (not so high it yet). For speakers, I have TAPCO S8, which are not necessarily very accurate either. As for my ears, heuuuuuuu ???????? Perhaps it is also where the Pb ..
Small difference anyway between the two sounds "right": the mackie seems a little less full in the lower medium, but really not much difference.
With the equalizer of the table, I try to raprocher the equalization of "tone" of U5, and I found something very similar to, not the same all the same, but close.

OVERALL OPINION

3 days of use is not huge, but really I like the 6 "tone" available. I did not like the price: € 600 it hurts, but it is an investment and I intend to use it very much longer.
I bought a preamp TLAUDIO 5051 V2 quickly returned to the store because too little difference with the Mackie, even for breath. Besides the comp was not great and I already have one I like better (FMR Audio).
The silence of the U5 is a Bonnheure. Unlike Mackie ONYX, there is no Buzzz, and also much, but then much less breath.
I do not know if I would do this choice, not enough experience with ....

No other point of comparison for the moment ... I only can be done as a folly the ratio Q / P seems not really good, and perhaps other preamp is so quiet ...

Everything has been said before

UTILIZATION

Simple operation, you plug the guitar or the bass, and presto you're done! can also be a signal preamplifier (boost function) and use the pitch correction provided or not.

SOUND QUALITY

Its absolutely excellent, with the possibility of staining it with the pitch correction that can be bypassed, and the low pass filter can be enabled or not.

OVERALL OPINION

I do not separate them for all the gold in the world. Happy owner of this machine for several years, I have used in many configs, for stage, studio, behind a bass guitar or synth. She never let me down, and I prefer to record my bass so simple: low> U5> dbx 160A> recorder.
The sound is always by appointment. For electric guitar, another config I use is: Guitar> U5 which splits the signal to the recorder and DBX 160A on one side, and multi-effects preamp digitech amp to the other transplanted. I record it as the dry signal and wet signal, which allows me to do reamping if the need arises, or add an amp simulation plug via the TC electronic. The U5 is the heart of my studio to use the guitars and bass. I can only recommend this product, especially since it eliminates the need for preamp. I would do this choice with his eyes closed.

http://www.avalondesign.com/instrudi.html for specs

UTILIZATION

There's no simple, one arm in front, one branch derrire, ears and attention ...

no need for manual ...

SOUND QUALITY

In one word: EXCELLENT

OVERALL OPINION

The U5 is expensive, but if you have your search of the ITS, is not ahsiter ...

is frankly nothing wrong, it's a nice bte is really perfect for both the studio and for gigs ...

always at the top of my stack the small gray box

10/12/2006: sold due to cracking at all lights. However, I plan to redeem myself a U5 for the studio ...