Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $876
High-end/Boutique
$119
$300+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Avalon U5". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Avalon U5 DI Preamplifier has been the go-to choice for musicians since 1995, known for its class-A signal path and its ability to bring out the best in any instrument, be it a bass guitar, an acoustic guitar, or a keyboard. It stands out for its unique combination of passive tone selector and variable gain preamp, which allows it to accept a wide array of signal levels. The U5 isn't just about power, it's about precision and quality. It's designed to provide the vibrant, clear, and powerful sound your music deserves and is equipped with a robust filter and boost section to amplify and refine your sound to perfection.
Key Features:
- 100% discrete, pure Class A mode
- Variable gain preamp to +30dB
- High input impedance 3 megohm
- Very low noise -100dB
- Dual mic and line level outputs
- Six tone bank selections
- High headroom +30dB output
- HF cut switch eliminates noise
- High level 400 w speaker input
Product specs
| Type | DI Preamp |
| Channels | 1 |
| Ground Lift | Yes |
| Inputs | 1 x Instrument, 1 x TS speaker |
| Outputs | 2 x XLR |
| Power Source | Standard IEC power supply |
| Height | 3.5" |
| Depth | 12" |
| Width | 8.5" |
| Weight | 12 lbs. |
FAQs
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What instruments can the Avalon U5 be used with?
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The Avalon U5 is versatile and can be used with bass guitars, acoustic instruments, electric guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, and low output pickups, enhancing their sound quality.
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Does the Avalon U5 require a specific power source?
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The Avalon U5 uses a standard IEC power supply, making it compatible with most common power setups in studios and live performance environments.
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How does the Avalon U5 improve instrument sound quality?
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The Avalon U5 provides Class A active DI and preamp capabilities, optimizing signal integrity and enhancing musical performance with features that ensure superior sonic quality.
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What are the output options available on the Avalon U5?
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The Avalon U5 offers two XLR outputs, providing balanced connections for optimal signal transfer in recording and live sound applications.
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Is the Avalon U5 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Avalon U5 is designed for both studio and live performance use, offering robust signal processing that enhances the sound of various instruments on stage.
Videos
shnobel
Avalon U5 Class A Active Direct Box with Fender Jazz Bass
Avalon U5 Class A Active Direct Box with Fender Jazz Bass
shnobel
Avalon U5 with Taylor Acoustic Guitar
shnobel
Avalon U5 Direct Box Avalon 737 Avalon 737SP Tube Preamp
Rockstar Rant
Avalon Design U5
*d.a.s. TV
Bass Gear I get asked about the MOST
Dan Hawkins Bass Lessons
Thomann Millenium DI (da 10€) VS Avalon U5 (800€) chi vince???
Basso Elettrico Carlo Chirio
Bass Preamps/DI Comparison (Avalon U5 VS Lehle RMI Basswitch IQ DI) - No Difference?!
Carlos Montull
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Avalon U5.
Setup and maintenance
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Users recommend using the mic-level output of the Avalon U5 to avoid clipping when connecting to inputs with built-in preamps like on the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8.
Source
Features and functionality
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Ports 1 and 3 on the Scarlett 18i8 activate a mic preamp when using XLR connections; ports 3 and 4 are better suited for direct instrument inputs.
Source -
The Avalon U5 can be used to capture a vintage amp's power amp output in parallel with a speaker load, offering versatility in recording scenarios.
Source
Software and compatibility
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It's crucial to avoid using instrument-level signals with XLR inputs on the Scarlett 18i8 to prevent peaking and potential damage, as highlighted by user experiences.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Avalon U5's mic-level output is traditionally more compatible with mic preamps, providing an option for tonal experimentation with vintage or tube preamps.
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The Avalon U5 is frequently used for bass in studio recordings and has also been applied to organ (B3) and electric piano (Wurlitzer and Rhodes).
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The U5 is praised for its studio use, but some owners successfully integrate it into live setups by mounting it in a rack for protection.
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Some owners use the U5 to re-amp their vintage amps while maintaining a clean tone, preventing wear from prolonged high-volume use.
Source
User experience
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Owners find the Avalon U5 provides a clean and accurate representation of instrument sounds, which may not suit those seeking a warmer or tube-like tone.
Source
Build quality
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The unit is considered fragile for live use, as it may not withstand falls or spills, making it more suitable for studio environments.
Source
Comparisons
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For live versatility, users recommend exploring preamp pedals or tube preamps over the solid-state Avalon U5 for those desiring tube warmth.
Source -
Users suggest exploring alternatives like the Radial JDX or Countryman Type 85 for durability and road readiness, noting these are more cost-effective and rugged.
Source
Value and pricing
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this YouTube video of "Take A Breath" (from "Live in Gdansk"), at 2:31, three Avalon U5 DI Preamplifiers can be seen in David Gilmour's effects rack. Another photo from Kit Rae's page "On an Island and 2006 Tour Lead Tones" shows two Avalon U5 units.
An Avalon U5 DI Preamplifier is part of the rig used by Green Day's guitarist. 0:18
Eric Clapton used an Avalon U5 DI box for his live acoustic rig from the early 2000s to the mid 2010s.
the Avalon U5 Mono Instrument & DI Preamplifier is listed in this blog
According to Oasis gear blog "The Chief's Guitars," Noel Gallagher's rack system for Oasis' 2025 reunion tour is seen to have two Avalon U5 DI boxes. These are used for his acoustic guitar rig.
In this Rig Rundown video you can see Pete Malandrone (BMs tech) talk about the Avalon U5 DI. (12.40 in the video).
At 0:12 on this video, we can see an Avalon U5 on the right of Mike's pedalboard
"The Artist plays bass on nearly all of the Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic tracks. (Rhonda S. appears on two songs.) For most of his parts The Artist used Graham’s Moon bass with Bartolini pickups; when the Moon was unavailable he used the Warwick Eye Bass. Engineer Hans-Martin Buff ran the signal into an Avalon U5 active DI, either a Demidio or Neve mike preamp, a Summit Audio compressor, and sometimes an API 550 EQ. The Artist rarely mikes a bass amp in the studio. The only bass effects on the record are a Zoom 9030 (usually on its "slap wah" setting) and a Danelectro Fab Tone pedal for fuzz."
Geddy uses this for his clean sound, live and in the studio
In the sidecar Rack to the right of mix position. The Avalon is the 4th or 5th item from the top. There are two of them mounted side by side
They are clearly visible at 42:35
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He said farewell to this preamp in Instagram photo.
Used on John Mayer's Continuum, as stated by recording engineer Chad Franscoviak in this October 1, 2006 Mix Online interview.
To capture Palladino's bass, his instrument typically went into either an Ampeg SVT or B-15 into an Avalon U5 mono instrument preamp and DI. “I took the throughput into his amplifier and usually put a FET 47 close up, and on occasion an RE20. Then I almost always put an NS-10 on his bass cabinet to get the ultralow stuff,” Franscoviak explains. “I would compress the DI and the FET 47 lightly, not in any way that would effect the dynamics of his performance, only for tonal reasons. I would never put a compressor on the NS-10.”
Album Usage
The Avalon U5 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Avalon U5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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