I have been using a Radial JDI for the past year with great results. Prior to that I was using a Countryman type 85.
Both units were used on either bass guitar or keys. The Radial sounded better on bass. The Countryman sounded better on keys. I have also a/b the Radial with some inexpensive passive di boxes. The Radial sounded more like a bass guitar. What you are paying for with a JDI is the Jensen transformer. I have not compared it to an Avalon U5 but would be curious. Whirlwind has a good read on what di really is and explains passive vs. active. Worth a look. http://whirlwindusa.com/tech02.html

As far as I know there is very little in the Radial box other than the Jensen transformer. These are a similar deal and cost like $300, for basically a $70 transformer and a box. Oh, and some "high-quality polyurethane paint". I bought a transformer from Jensen and a box from my local electronics store the other week. Whoop.

get an Avalon M5

We built a passive DI box based around the Jensen JT-DB transformer, and they are great.
Schematics here-
http://www.jensentransformers.com/apps_sc.html

greg wrote:We built a passive DI box based around the Jensen JT-DB transformer, and they are great.
Schematics here-
http://www.jensentransformers.com/apps_sc.html

Fuckin' aye.

Greg, you rule.

Thank you!

I have done a PCB layout for the Jensen schematic, if you're into that kind of thing and want to save yourself ten minutes. I'll post it up when I have a copy handy.

Used it on bass alot. Actually used it on a kick track once with some overdrive and was sweet. Around 150? Definitely your best bet.

skatingbasser wrote:

Used it on bass alot. Actually used it on a kick track once with some overdrive and was sweet. Around 150? Definitely your best bet.

A friend of mine forced me to use this on a band I did recently... I was surprised. It sounded pretty damn good. You can dial in a little character to the tone.

But for just a general DI, Countryman DI's rule. I've A/B'd it against other DI's and there is a hearable difference.