【Product Overview】

The go-to item for guitarists and bassists! A DI that excels in both recording and live settings! Mono Instrument & DI Preamplifier

＜About AVALON DESIGN＞

Avalon Design is an American hardware brand providing cutting-edge electronics for recording to top engineers, producers, and musicians worldwide. Its meticulously designed systems enhance the creative sensibilities of creators.

This AVALON DESIGN product is an authorized distributor item (Import Distributor: M.I.D.), offering the following services:

■ Technicians thoroughly familiar with Avalon Design products perform pre-shipment adjustments and after-sales service in Japan using genuine parts.

■ For repairs after delivery, skilled technicians will handle them responsibly and promptly through the import distributor, regardless of warranty status.

■The import distributor maintains ample stock, enabling prompt delivery after your order.

■Demo units are available in-store for auditioning before purchase.

<High-Voltage DI Preamp for Diverse Signals and Instruments>

The Avalon U5 is a direct box popular with bassists in particular for its superb sound, often used for bass, electric-acoustic guitars, and keyboards in both live and recording settings.

The U5 High-Voltage DI Preamp features a unique passive tone selector combined with a variable gain preamp and filter. Its Hi-Z input allows use with a wide range of signals and instruments, from acoustic guitars to high-output active basses and keyboards. With the U5, you can freely shape your unique sound character.

Beyond its +2dB to +32dB boost capability, the “Tone Bank” offers six frequency curves enhanced for various musical genres. Features like the High Cut switch eliminate unwanted noise and buzz. Its popularity likely stems from being more than just a direct box—it delivers precise, easy-to-use sound shaping and a sound built from 100% discrete components.

For those seeking a higher-class sound for recording or live use, this is a must-check!!!

【Product Details】

■Exceptional Sound

The Avalon U5 Pure Class A Instrument & DI Preamp is the most powerful direct box available today. Designed to make the input signal and musical performance absolutely the best, the U5 possesses unmatched features compared to other designs, enabling it to create exceptional sound. The U5 is ideal for bass, acoustic instruments, electric guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, and low-output pickups.

It employs a state-of-the-art Hi-Z input stage that doesn't overload sensitive pickups or keyboards, along with a 100% discrete pure Class A signal amplifier. Durable hardware, designed with real-world user characteristics in mind, ensures long-term high-performance audio.

■ Rich Low-End Design

The Avalon U5 DI Preamp has been used worldwide since 1995. Top musicians globally record with this gear, and it's widely used on best-selling albums (with the best sound, of course) and live performances.

■Minimal Signal Path Design

The U5 features a variable-gain Class A preamp for controlling low-level pickup signals and a high-level speaker input for capturing live instrument amp sounds. It employs six passive tone EQ curves to accommodate various acoustic and electric instruments. A high-cut switch eliminates unwanted acoustic pickup hum and high-frequency noise.

It also incorporates a headphone monitor amplifier. Dual DC-coupled Class A output amplifiers provide a low-level mic preamp output and a high-level +4dB output suitable for tape recording. The Active-to-Thru switch allows selection between sending the signal directly to the line input or routing it through the boost circuit via the front panel jack to the amplifier. The Ground Lift switch safely eliminates ground loops and AC noise.

【Product Specifications】

■Circuit Topology : 100% discrete, high-voltage Class A

■Gain : 3,000,000 ohm unbalanced (single ended)

■Input Impedance : +36dB balanced XLR pin 2 hot (with -20dB passive attenuator).

■Maximum Input Level: +24dBu unbalanced, 400W speaker input

■Output Connectors (2): XLR type, pin 2 hot electronic balanced

■Maximum Output Level (Class A): +30dBu DC coupled, balanced 600 ohms (mic and line out)

■Headphone Output: 0.5W into 600 ohms

■Noise 20kHz Unweighted: -100dBu minimum gain position

■Distortion THD, IMD: 0.1% at +10dB

■Frequency Response, -/+0.5dB: 5Hz to 100kHz

■Frequency Response, -3dB: 1Hz to 500kHz (input band limited)

■High Cut Filter: -3dB at 8kHz minimum phase design

■Tone Selector: Six-position rotary switch, all passive filters

■AC Power: Internal toroidal AC supply

■Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 12 in (216 x 88 x 305mm)

■Weight-Packed: 12lbs (5.4kg)