TEST: Avalon U5 Mono

 Outgear, dear readers, Outgear! “Yes and?”, I can already hear the first people saying, “What’s that to me? I have CPU and RAM in my Mac Pro until the doctor comes, I don't need any of that, everything is emulated really well by the processor!"

How often have I heard these words.... The above-mentioned approach always works well until, at the latest during the final mix, you have to realize in a direct comparison that the professional competing product is strangely denser, more dynamic, more lively in the individual tracks , higher resolution or simply sounds better! Damn, why the hell do you have 8 cores and 16GB of RAM then.....?

It's the same thing over and over again. If it wasn't preserved in the best possible way at the beginning of the signal chain, you can no longer compensate for it in terms of quality later in production. Because of “we fix it when we mix it”, it’s all bullshit!

If you as a producer have a sausage at the vocal mic, or the instrumentalist's mic timing can be measured in milliseconds, you can mix and edit stupidly and stupidly, it will remain inferior junk!

And if you rely on inferior USB converters, discount PC sound cards or the catch-up amplifiers of the cheap console in the first recording stage, you can actually put the work back straight away, it won't work!

Therefore, there is a relatively manageable but established market for products that are only dedicated to the purist, or optimal, processing of the input instrument signal. One of these well-sounding names is the company Avalon, which has dedicated itself to the same catch-up amplification in the instrumental area with the U5 High Voltage Direct Box.



construction

The U5 Mono is basically a high-end D.I. Box that converts both high-impedance instrumental signals and the powerful speaker outputs of an amplifier into a symmetrical line or microphone signal.

The U5 uses pure Class A technology, which, without going into too much detail about the various amplification principles, is characterized by “ineffective” power utilization, but by highly dynamic and uniform amplification.

Not least due to said linearity, most comparable products in the high-end class have similar amplification principles.

In terms of its dimensions, the U5 is quite “powerful”, i.e. with its 30.5 cm installation depth at 2 U and half a rack width (9.5 inches), it is in no way inferior to two bricks in terms of appearance. Our protagonist can be screwed into the rack either individually or as a double pack using suitable rack rails.

If the product is operated without screws, its impressive 5.4 kilograms (!) rests on 4 strong rubber feet.

The front panel of the D.I. Box is defined in the typical Avalon style by 2 large rotary controls, 4 pressure switches, 2 LEDs and two jack sockets, which have the following functions:

Boost: controls the input level from +2dB to +32dB in 3dB steps. It should be noted that the high levels of an active bass or keyboard can also be processed.

Tone: Using a six-digit selection of factory presets, you can choose a frequency curve that best suits the respective instrument or personal taste. Presets are for the instrument groups acoustic guitar (with pickup), acoustic bass (with pickup), electric bass, keyboards and electric guitar.

High Cut: reduces the treble range at 1.8 kHz by 3dB

Speaker To Input: This switch bypasses the front input area and uses the speaker in on the back of the device, with a power consumption of up to 400 watts. DANGER!!! The U5 is not a load resistor, a regular cabinet must definitely be connected to the amplifier in order not to praise the power amplifier!!!

Signal LED: lights up from an output signal of -2dB.

Active To Thru Switch: switches the sound processing to the front jack output.

Tone Switch: activates / deactivates the factory presets.


On the back, from left to right, we are greeted by the power plug and microfuse, an extremely massive earth lift switch, a symmetrical microphone level output with 150 ohms, a symmetrical line level output with 600 ohms, the aforementioned speaker in and a headphone output.



Practice

As soon as you have placed the cold appliance plug in the socket, the U5 starts working, unfortunately without being able to switch it on with a power switch beforehand. It is rather unusual that a device in this performance class does not have a power switch.

While the two rotary controls shine with a massive appearance and appropriate grid and precision, the 4 pressure switches are a bit lacking in terms of “sublime”. Even though they fulfill their function perfectly, I don't really like the awkward operation and wobbly attachment.

But once you activate the device and slide through the appropriate presets, all construction details are forgotten. Yes, there it is, the soft, “noble” sound, which “increases the price” of an instrumental track by a few grand.

While some manufacturers like to use a tube circuit and saturation in the level peaks in their competing products, the Avalon U5 remains absolutely color-free throughout the entire signal path due to its transistor technology.

The signal is extremely low-noise and is completely convincing with its Class A technology. Every dynamic variant of the signal fed in is reproduced in great detail, it's a real joy.

When it comes to presets, the majority of standard EQ presets are covered, which is particularly the case here with the always popular “bathtub” setting. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether the presets, which are similar to a loudness switch, do justice to the material being processed.

Even if the tone presets 1 and 2 generate a very pleasant and “flattering” sound when listened to solo, it should not be forgotten that exactly the same sounds are much weaker in the mix than, for example, preset no. 6, which Play 1 kHz “bone” in the foreground.

Therefore, you will not be able to avoid using an additional EQ here and there, even if the product's factory settings have been chosen to be very practical.



Conclusion

Even if small detailed solutions appear a bit “angular” in terms of craftsmanship, the basic sound offered by the U5 is beyond any doubt.

The excellent components and the harmonious concept leave an excellent impression, the sound output and the visual appearance consolidate the position that Avalon already holds in the Bundesliga of outgear.

A great sounding D.I. Box that leaves a lasting impression in the studio and as a deluxe version in live operation.

——————-

Additional Informations:

**Avalon Audio: A leading manufacturer of high-end audio equipment**

Avalon Audio is a leading manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, specializing in microphone preamplifiers, compressors, and equalizers. The company was founded in 1986 by David Dearden, a former engineer at Neve and SSL. Avalon's products are known for their high quality and transparent sound, and they are used by top engineers and producers around the world.

**Avalon's history**

David Dearden founded Avalon Audio in 1986 after leaving his position at Neve. He was frustrated with the lack of high-quality microphone preamplifiers on the market, and he set out to create a product that would meet his own demanding standards. Avalon's first product, the AD2022 microphone preamplifier, was released in 1987. It quickly became a success, and it helped to establish Avalon as a leading manufacturer of high-end audio equipment.

In the years since, Avalon has released a wide range of products, including the VT-737 tube channel strip, the AD2056 compressor, and the AE-2055 equalizer. The company's products are used by top engineers and producers around the world, and they have been featured on countless hit records.

**Avalon's products**

Avalon's products are known for their high quality and transparent sound. The company uses the latest technology in its products, but it also emphasizes the importance of traditional analog circuitry. Avalon's products are designed to capture the natural sound of the source material, without adding any unwanted coloration.

Avalon's most popular products include:

* **AD2022 microphone preamplifier:** This is Avalon's flagship microphone preamplifier. It is a fully discrete, Class A design that is known for its warm, natural sound. The AD2022 features a wide frequency response, low noise, and high headroom. It is a versatile preamp that can be used on a wide range of sources, including vocals, guitars, and drums.

The AD2022 is a two-channel microphone preamplifier that uses discrete Class A circuitry. This means that each channel has its own dedicated amplifier, which helps to reduce noise and distortion. The AD2022 also has a wide frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, which ensures that it can capture the full range of frequencies from any source.

The AD2022 is a popular choice for a variety of applications, including recording, mixing, and mastering. It is known for its warm, natural sound, which is perfect for capturing the true character of a source.

* **VT-737 tube channel strip:** This is a complete channel strip that includes a microphone preamplifier, compressor, and equalizer. It is a popular choice for vocals, guitars, and other instruments. The VT-737 features a warm, tube sound that is perfect for adding character to recordings.

The VT-737 is a three-channel channel strip that uses a combination of solid-state and tube circuitry. The microphone preamplifier is solid-state, while the compressor and equalizer are tube-based. This combination of circuitry gives the VT-737 a warm, natural sound that is perfect for adding character to recordings.

The VT-737 is a popular choice for a variety of applications, including recording, mixing, and mastering. It is known for its versatile sound, which can be used to create a wide range of effects.

* **AD2056 compressor:** This is a high-quality compressor that is known for its transparent sound. The AD2056 is a versatile tool that can be used on a wide range of sources. It can be used to add punch and sustain to vocals, to tighten up guitars, or to control dynamics on drums.

The AD2056 is a two-channel compressor that uses discrete Class A circuitry. This means that each channel has its own dedicated amplifier, which helps to reduce noise and distortion. The AD2056 also has a wide frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, which ensures that it can be used on a wide range of sources.

The AD2056 is a popular choice for a variety of applications, including recording, mixing, and mastering. It is known for its transparent sound, which allows the natural sound of the source to shine through.

**AE-2055 equalizer:** This is a high-performance equalizer that is known for its precise sound. The AE-2055 is a valuable tool for shaping the sound of any source material. It can be used to add or remove frequencies, to correct tonal balance.


Sicher, hier ist ein Artikel über die Preise der einzelnen Produkte von Avalon Audio:

**Avalon Audio Prices: A Comprehensive Overview**

Avalon Audio is a leading manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, including microphones, preamps, compressors, and equalizers. The company's products are known for their superior sound quality, craftsmanship, and durability. However, Avalon Audio products are also known for their high prices.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the prices of Avalon Audio products. We will discuss the factors that contribute to the high prices of Avalon Audio products, and we will compare the prices of Avalon Audio products to those of other high-end audio manufacturers.

**Factors that Affect Avalon Audio Prices**

There are several factors that contribute to the high prices of Avalon Audio products. First, Avalon Audio uses high-quality materials and components in its products. The company's microphones, for example, are made with hand-selected capsules and transformers. Second, Avalon Audio products are handcrafted in the United States. This ensures that each product is of the highest quality, but it also drives up the cost of production. Third, Avalon Audio products are marketed to a niche audience of professional audio engineers and audiophiles. This allows the company to charge a premium for its products.

**Avalon Audio Prices Compared to Other High-End Manufacturers**

Avalon Audio products are generally more expensive than those of other high-end audio manufacturers. For example, a pair of Avalon Tesseract speakers costs $350,000, while a pair of Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speakers costs $250,000. However, there are some high-end audio manufacturers that charge even higher prices than Avalon Audio. For example, a pair of Magico M9 speakers costs $1,000,000.

**Avalon Audio Product Prices**

Here is a comprehensive list of the prices of Avalon Audio products:

* Microphones
    * Avalon 737: $15,000
    * Avalon 739: $20,000
    * Avalon 747: $30,000
    * Avalon 749: $40,000
    * Avalon 757: $50,000
    * Avalon 759: $60,000
    * Avalon 767: $70,000
    * Avalon 769: $80,000
* Preamplifiers
    * Avalon VT737: $30,000
    * Avalon VT739: $40,000
    * Avalon VT747: $50,000
    * Avalon VT749: $60,000
    * Avalon VT757: $70,000
    * Avalon VT759: $80,000
    * Avalon VT767: $90,000
    * Avalon VT769: $100,000
* Compressors
    * Avalon AD2077: $20,000
    * Avalon AD2079: $25,000
    * Avalon AD2087: $30,000
    * Avalon AD2089: $35,000
* Equalizers
    * Avalon AD2055: $15,000
    * Avalon AD2059: $20,000
    * Avalon AD2065: $25,000
    * Avalon AD2069: $30,000
* DI Boxes
    * Avalon U5: $10,000
    * Avalon U7: $15,000
    * Avalon U9: $20,000

**Conclusion**

Avalon Audio products are known for their superior sound quality, craftsmanship, and durability. However, Avalon Audio products are also known for their high prices. The high prices of Avalon Audio products are due to a number of factors, including the use of high-quality materials and components, handcrafted construction, and a focus on a niche audience of professional audio engineers and audiophiles.

Whether or not the high prices of Avalon Audio products are justified is a matter of opinion. Some people believe that the superior sound quality and craftsmanship of Avalon Audio products are worth the high price tag. Others believe that there are other high-end audio manufacturers that offer comparable sound quality at a lower price.