Maxon AD-9

The way how the AD-9 operates is like so: you step on the switch and it turns on. There are three controls for delay time, repeats and delay level. You can get everything from almost reverb like sounds to slap back to crazy elongated tape delays. You can get the cool 'pool' of feedback and sound out if it as well. the manual is the exact same one as of the maxon chorus and flanger, so you can learn to operate those at the same time as the delay, but it's kind of unusual.

my setup for using the delay differs from time to time. For the most part when i use it it's goes like so: strat-->fender pt-10 tuner-->korg G3 processor-->MAXON AD-9-->Tech 21 Sansamp-->mxr micro amp-->Direct active box--> straight to the board.
it's only nisy when you do the pool of sound, which it's made to do, this occurs when the repeat level is all the way up.
The effect is perfect, it's an exact delay of what you play. You can get Hendrix "red house" sounds out of it.

reliable, built like a tank.

never had any problems, so i can't stae opinion.

best delay pedal ever made. clearer than the Ibanez ones made by maxon.

It is very easy to use. The manual is straight forward as is the pedal. Three knobs: one for delay time, one for number of repeats and one for dry vs. effect blend.

This is probably the pedal I am most blown away by. I play in a psychobilly band using a Gretsch reissue Duo Jet w/Bigsby and flatwound strings to the AD9 to a Guyatone VT3 to vintage Premier reverb tank to a blackface Fender Bassman head through a Sovtek 4 x 10 cab (two stock Eminences and two Jensen ceramic reissues). I need a big low end and a clear top and that's what I get with the AD9, but no digital grit or noise or squashing. I use it to get a slap back sound and some wilder long delays and Ufo noises for our more "psycho" songs. I know it's expensive...how did I pay for it? I sold my tube Echoplex! It's that good sounding! Also, I tried some vintage Ibanez analog delays (I guess made by Maxon in the 70's) because they were cheaper. They were noisier and more compressed...go figure.

I've only owned it for a couple of months, but so far no problems. Seems very solid.

Never talked to Maxon.

It's pricey and I guess I couldn't really tell a teenager that they have to own it...but if you are serious about your sound with an analog delay pedal, this is it. It is very warm and transparent in regard to tone and dynamics and easier to use and carry than an Echoplex. I guess the thing I like the least is the price, but if this is what it takes to get this level of quality, I'm buying.