I was going to say the same thing. If the EQ is bothersome it can always just be set flat and the HPF and LPF are always useful.
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My end of chain needs: Does this pedal exist?
- Thread starter Evan J
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- di headphone amp
- Feb 21, 2003
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Yes, the EQ can be turned on and off by the footswitch as well. It's a very pleasant and easy EQ. I go straight in to the effects return on my amp.
oh yeah, I forgot about that. Since I got my passive SS Stingray I always have a bump in the bass and low mids on mine.
- Feb 21, 2003
- 5,619
- 7,068
- 5,331
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
tuner>diamond>blumes>joshwah>oct>aqua>messenger
I think the ZIO is your best bet. Set the EQ flat. If you don't like the cosmetics you'll get over that
Right?? Literally it would be most ideal for me if it was just those two features. A really nice DI, but then a headphone out so I can understand the exact tone I am sending to the board.
I'm not sure what the going rate is these days or if you'd be able to find one, but the 3Leaf Enabler should fit the bill.
The tough part is the "Radial quality or better" DI.
Radial quality DI boxes pretty much start with... Radial. Even Radial's cheapest models will in my opinion be a step above the DI outputs in some of the rather expensive boxes suggested in this thread. If you don't need all the additional features, why pay for a lesser quality DI output with lots of additional stuff you don't need?
In my opinion most of the suggestions seem a bit overkill (and hideously expensive) if you really just need a DI output + a headphone output. I can't think of any high quality DI boxes with headphones outputs though. A top quality DI box is normally used in situations where you wouldn't need it to have a headphone output, and gear with headphones outputs generally doesn't have DI outputs of the same quality as a good, standalone DI box.
I think you will have to make a compromise here. I mean, the obvious choice here would be a Radial DI box and send the thru-out to a small headphone amp, even though this would mean using two boxes rather than one. It's probably either that or paying for a hideously expensive pedal with lots of features you don't need and a DI output that isn't quite "Radial quality or better".
Maybe you would get more helpful suggestions if you tell us exactly how you intend to use it, and why you need a DI box with a headphone output?
Radial quality DI boxes pretty much start with... Radial. Even Radial's cheapest models will in my opinion be a step above the DI outputs in some of the rather expensive boxes suggested in this thread. If you don't need all the additional features, why pay for a lesser quality DI output with lots of additional stuff you don't need?
In my opinion most of the suggestions seem a bit overkill (and hideously expensive) if you really just need a DI output + a headphone output. I can't think of any high quality DI boxes with headphones outputs though. A top quality DI box is normally used in situations where you wouldn't need it to have a headphone output, and gear with headphones outputs generally doesn't have DI outputs of the same quality as a good, standalone DI box.
I think you will have to make a compromise here. I mean, the obvious choice here would be a Radial DI box and send the thru-out to a small headphone amp, even though this would mean using two boxes rather than one. It's probably either that or paying for a hideously expensive pedal with lots of features you don't need and a DI output that isn't quite "Radial quality or better".
Maybe you would get more helpful suggestions if you tell us exactly how you intend to use it, and why you need a DI box with a headphone output?
I was looking for a pedal like this and couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I built my own. I didn’t total up the costs, but I’d guess around $100. It has everything you asked for (including optional features), but it’s big and ugly 
It also has an aux input, a fixed boost, and an adjustable cab sim that ranges from soft/warm to tight/forward.
Happy to provide a schematic if anyone wants it.
It also has an aux input, a fixed boost, and an adjustable cab sim that ranges from soft/warm to tight/forward.
Happy to provide a schematic if anyone wants it.
…in which I discovered that the Nordstrand Starlifter doesn’t have a headphone amp.
solid choice otherwise.
solid choice otherwise.
DANG. Jealous.I was looking for a pedal like this and couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I built my own. I didn’t total up the costs, but I’d guess around $100. It has everything you asked for (including optional features), but it’s big and ugly
It also has an aux input, a fixed boost, and an adjustable cab sim that ranges from soft/warm to tight/forward.
Happy to provide a schematic if anyone wants it.
View attachment 5337027
Um, what about....Radial?
Okay, they're big and not cheap, but it's looking like you're going to need to compromise somewhere here.
Bassbone OD is something you should check out. All the Radial DI features, including the G-lift and 180 phase reversal (I've been surprised how many times that has been an instant problem solver on stage). Sounds great as a pre into my stage rig, but have had equal success on stage without an amp, just IEM's. The sound quality is studio pristine.
Of note, based on your criteria:
- HP out with independent level - (CHECK!)
- EQ. Dang. So run it flat. These units are top notch quality all the way through. It won't color your sound. However, it's not complex, yet pretty darn flexible with switchable mid freq centers. Or use it in 2 channel mode so you can have 2 EQ settings for your single instrument. (EG: flat and a boost)
At $450 street price, you're a little over. However, watch for used. I picked up a junior (Bassbone V2) on Reverb recently for about half retail, yet still in original plastic wrap from a small dealer who couldn't move it off his shelf locally. It's worth noting that Radial claims a 20 year life expectancy for these units.
That should tell you a lot about the robust design, physical structure, and grade of internal components.
Handy things:
- High pass filter at multiple frequency settings
- OD if you want it w/bypass switch
- Effects loop w/bypass switch
- mute switch
- tuner output
- input sensitivity setting to boost weak-signal sources
So it's looking like you're going to err on the side of not quite meeting all your criteria, or perhaps more than you think you'll use. I'd say, once in place, you may very well find some of the "icings" indispensable.
Yup - you're seeking a unicorn, but you might just find a little compromise will get you a heck of a workhorse.
Okay, they're big and not cheap, but it's looking like you're going to need to compromise somewhere here.
Bassbone OD is something you should check out. All the Radial DI features, including the G-lift and 180 phase reversal (I've been surprised how many times that has been an instant problem solver on stage). Sounds great as a pre into my stage rig, but have had equal success on stage without an amp, just IEM's. The sound quality is studio pristine.
Of note, based on your criteria:
- HP out with independent level - (CHECK!)
- EQ. Dang. So run it flat. These units are top notch quality all the way through. It won't color your sound. However, it's not complex, yet pretty darn flexible with switchable mid freq centers. Or use it in 2 channel mode so you can have 2 EQ settings for your single instrument. (EG: flat and a boost)
At $450 street price, you're a little over. However, watch for used. I picked up a junior (Bassbone V2) on Reverb recently for about half retail, yet still in original plastic wrap from a small dealer who couldn't move it off his shelf locally. It's worth noting that Radial claims a 20 year life expectancy for these units.
That should tell you a lot about the robust design, physical structure, and grade of internal components.
Handy things:
- High pass filter at multiple frequency settings
- OD if you want it w/bypass switch
- Effects loop w/bypass switch
- mute switch
- tuner output
- input sensitivity setting to boost weak-signal sources
So it's looking like you're going to err on the side of not quite meeting all your criteria, or perhaps more than you think you'll use. I'd say, once in place, you may very well find some of the "icings" indispensable.
Yup - you're seeking a unicorn, but you might just find a little compromise will get you a heck of a workhorse.
I was afraid this might be the case…
You are so right. It seems silly to spends $300+ on something of which I only need two features.
The main reason I want a box like this is because I’m mostly playing live, and I want to have an accurate understanding of what I’m sending to FOH. Currently I am using the headphone out in my Fender rumble… but I think the rumble is adding some color to the signal. So when I set my tones and then go to plug in to the system, there are usually some major differences between what the rumble gives me and what comes through the PA.
I know that headphone Vs PA will sound very different. But I can at least get rid of one variable using something on my board to practice rather than using the Rumble, which is omitted in my live signal chain.