The DN100 has become an established favourite amongst both engineers and musicians alike. With its high headroom, dynamic response and sonic clarity, DN100 faithfully reproduces the character of electric and acoustic instruments and allows far more of the detail of musical performances to be captured. DN100 is intended for professional applications where +48 V phantom power is a standard feature on all mixing consoles, and its innovative design results in a significantly higher clipping point than many other active DI Boxes, providing +10 dBu output into a 2 kΩ load. This increased headroom means that much higher level input signals can be accommodated without the need for an attenuating pad. Combined with a very low noise input circuit topology, DN100 offers a very wide dynamic range, and only requires a single -30 dB pad for use when connecting directly to instrument amplifier outputs.
DN100 is built to handle the rigours of life on the road, a thick aluminium extrusion protects the electronics, and in turn is covered by a tough silicone rubber sleeve.
Exhaustive listening tests using a wide variety of active and passive bass guitars, electro-acoustic guitars and electronic musical instruments were carried out to select the components for DN100 to achieve the best musical sound. Not only was the choice of the audio transformer particularly important in achieving this goal, but the impedances of the surrounding components were also highly critical in getting the best possible performance out of the audio transformer. The line-driving characteristics of the transformer output were carefully optimised to provide the best frequency and phase responses for short and long cables and widely differing line and termination impedances.
A custom instrumentation-grade input circuit was designed for the DN100 using advanced analogue design techniques to create the very high input impedance required by passive guitar and bass pickups, whilst keeping the actual component values low to minimise noise. This innovative approach to circuit design produces a very low noise floor, which combined with the high clipping point creates an unrivalled dynamic range in a +48 V phantom powered DI Box.
DN100 features illuminated Pad and Earth Lift switches, which along with the +48V phantom power indicator LED, provide ‘at a glance’ status display, even at wide distances and viewing angles.
Features
- Active DI box with high-headroom design and +48 V phantom power for extended dynamic range
- Fully transformer-isolated design ensures electrical separation between PA and stage equipment
- Balanced line input on Neutrik XLR and high impedance input and link output on 1/4" TRS connectors
- 20 dB input pad and earth lift switches
- Aluminium extrusion casing with protective rubber corners
- Compact and rugged design