Gearank

Neve is well known for their preamps and studio consoles, but they've since expanded into the DI market with the highly rated RNDI.

There's not much going on in terms of features and connectivity, but what makes this unit special is its great combination of simplicity and audio quality. Thanks to its Class A discrete FET amplifier, this compact unit made the sound quality of Neve studio consoles more accessible and portable.

Features:

• 48V phantom powered active circuitry
• Ground Lift switches for both speaker and instruments
• 1/4" Input and Thru-put jacks, gold-plated XLR output
• Input Impedance 2.2 M Ohm
• Steel chassis
• Weight: 1.5lbs

Pros

The general consensus is that the Neve RNDI goes beyond just working - rather it improves the sound dramatically, as attested to by many reviewers. So instead of being just a mere DI box that bridges your instrument to the PA System, the RNDI has become a tone improvement tool for many. Reviewers report of how this unit works well with acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments, and it is also popularly used on bass guitars, keyboards, and even amplifiers.

Cons

The unit's straightforward controls can be lacking for those who are looking for more control. Ironically, there are a few that complained about it not being transparent, so it's more of a preference rather than actually being a negative trait. Finally, some are looking for more features considering the price, but majority agree that this highly ranked preamp/DI Box is well worth the investment.

Overall

The Rupert Neve RNDI is highly recommended for multi-instrumentalists who are looking for a versatile preamp. If you're looking to "improve" your acoustic sound and are looking then this is a great pick, well even those who wanted transparency at first ended up loving the fuller sound that they get off the RNDi.

You can buy it or read more about it in our guide to The Best DI Boxes.