Today’s Music Demands More and Better DIs
The Phoenix Audio pure Class-A DI was so popular in our DRS Series Mic Preamps that we’ve made it available in two stand alone versions: the 2-channel (1/2RU) Nice DI and the 8-channel N8 (1RU). Over the past decade or so, the need for more DIs has skyrocketed as instrumentation has incorporated more and more electronic elements. From elaborate analog synth rigs, to multiple laptops, to loop stations and more, getting excellent tone from multiple DIs is more important today than ever. With their unique gain architecture, Phoenix’s Nice DIs intuitively offer up a wide array of tones, such that working with a direct signal takes on the artistry we tend to associate only with working with mic’d signals.
Pure Class-A Tone at Input
The Nice DIs are built around a fully discrete Class-A circuit design, all hand-wired with military-grade silver connections into rugged and portable steel boxes. Our transformerless, ultra-high impedance (10Mohm) input stage ensures that your signals are delivered into the circuit in their full glory. No treble roll off, or sluggish bass response as is rampant with so many DIs. Instead, you’ll hear the full-bodied, punchy sounds necessary for delivering the powerful, often bombastic and complex, signals of modern music. Guitars and basses will sing; lush synths will swarm; hard-hitting drum machines will thump and crack—each sound rendered with its transients and full frequency spectrum in tact.
Versatile Transformer-Balanced Output
The output stage of the Nice DIs uses Phoenix Audio’s renowned DSOP-2, an all discrete output amp based on head-designer Dave Rees’s infamous TF1 amp (which he developed for use in vintage Neve modules). With its custom-wound DB694 transformer and enormous headroom, the DSOP-2 can be driven to taste. Deliver more gain to achieve a beautifully saturated sound, back off for a cleaner, hi-fi sound, or choose any flavor in-between. And because these DIs can accept unbalanced line level or levels up to 0db you can use the N8, for example, anywhere a line-amp is necessary: along side your console, in a live setting, or simply in any patch to pick up that Class-A tone. With an easily recalled stepped gain control on every channel, dialing in your exact sound is a breeze. You’ll find these to be the most musical, intuitive and versatile DIs you’ve ever used, capable of breathing new life into any directly injected signal.
Features :
- Phoenix’s famous Class A, discrete, transformerless input stage, offering ultra-high impedance (10Mohm) inputs
- Our proven and loved Class A, discrete DSOP-2 output with custom-wound DB694 transformer
- Stepped output pots for each channel with huge gain range
- Pad on every channel (15db) with illuminated switch
- Phase reverse on every channel with illuminated switch
- Earth ground lift on every channel with illuminated switch
- Inputs: 1/4″ jack (TS) input on the front panel
- Inputs: 1/4″ jack (TS) through on the front panel
- N8
- 8 channels of DI
- Will accept balanced line level for processing of unbalanced signals or can act as a balanced line amp
- 1U chassis rack space, perfect for studio and live applications
- 8 x Balanced main outputs on D-sub (Tascam DA88 wired)
- 8 x Balanced monitor outputs on D-sub (Tascam DA88 wired)
- External 24v PSU with lockable connector
- Inputs: 1/4″ jack (TS) input on the front panel
- Inputs: 1/4″ jack (TS) through on the front panel