Avalon Design U5 Mono Instrument & DI Preamplifier

The Avalon U5 isn't really a bass amp, or bass pre amp, but I didn't find any better category to post the review under. Please, Harmony Central: add some other categories under the review headlines...

I bought this item a week ago and have used it on stage the whole last week with my NS CR4M electric upright. Did also some tests with my electric basses, four- and sixstrings, fretted and fretless.

It is easy to use, just two pots, two jacks and four switches on the front. One pot for input gain, up to +32 dB. The other pot is a six step pre shape eq that is really, really useful. Some steps for bass, some for guitars etc. The switches are: hi cut filter, switch to speaker input (more about that ??ater), filter section on and filter and active to thru jack (to your amp). The front jacks are input and thru to your amp.

Back panel has ground lift, balanced and unbalanced out and the speaker input jack, capable of taking 400 W RMS sa long as you have a speaker connected to your amp too. It has no speaker load. No on/off switch though.

Wow! Headroom headroom headroom...
Crystal clear, makes you wonder why you have an amp at all...

Seems sturdy enough. Not so much you can break unless you really try, but why would you?

Two years warranty from the dealer. Haven't used customer support, but this is a pro audio item, so I believe the company is pro people too...

I've been playing since before the wheel and when man discovered the use of fire, so I've seen, heard and had a lot of gear through the years.

I use Eden amps and speakers exclusively, my instruments are top notch, without bling-bling, my cables and accessories are of the best quality. The only one to blame if it sounds crap is me...

If something is missing on the U5, well, maybe a mains switch, but then you have one more thing to break...