Radial Trim-Two 2-Channel Passive a V Direct Box

Prior to purchasing the Trim Two Passive, I had used (more like "tried") two other passive Direct Injection boxes (DI Box) from different brands. The reason I started using a DI box is due to the fact that I have the Presonus Eris E5 Mk II desktop active speaker system. This particular speaker brand provides inputs on the rear for balanced XLR and TRS cables, along with unbalanced RCA cables. The problem is that although the speakers are absolutely superb sounding, their RCA inputs tend to be very, very sensitive to RFI noise (i.e. hum, buzzing, hiss, etc) and I was experiencing a persistent, annoying buzz. After doing quite a bit of research, I've come to realize that you can convert unbalanced signals to balanced versions with the use of a Direct Injection Box, or more common referred to as "DI Boxes."As I mentioned, I tried two previous DI boxes - all solidly constructed from other brands, but they were inexpensive, ranging from $29.95 to $49.95. And although they got rid of the RFI issues I had been experiencing, they had some slight, yet noticeable audio quality issues such as a slight roll off of high frequencies, and with the last DI box I tried, the bass wound up being overly bloated. In addition, my gain/volume levels dropped a good 10 - 15 DB which was quite noticeable, causing me to have to turn up the gain on all of my input components such as DAC's to their maximum level to offset this gain issue.Then I heard about and read articles about Radial Engineering and their highly rated line of DI Boxes, saw the reviews, and decided to try this Trim Passive Two DI Box for a number of reasons, but specifically for the gain volume control they have on this box. So when the box arrived, I was extremely impressed with the superb (built like a tank) build quality, the inputs, and the quality of the materials used. It took all but a minute to install and I began listening to music - mostly classical and jazz. And there was "no" gain loss at all.All I can say is "wow," because the audio quality was there - nothing added, nothing subtracted. All the dynamics of large orchestras such as experienced with classical music, were there. Bass was solid - and I mean tight (not bloated as with previous DI boxes), and the mids and highs were natural without any perception of any roll-off characteristics. It was readily obvious that you get what you pay for here. This is perhaps the best $150 that I've expended on an audio-related device in a long time. The Radial Engineering Trim Two Passive not only got rid of all of the RFI noise I was experiencing with the Presonus speakers (which, by the way, are known for that issue), but when now using the balanced XLR connectors to the speakers - the sound quality just began to sing!!!!So DI boxes convert unbalanced audio signals that are typically related to RCA audio cables, and then convert them to quiet (noise-free) balanced audio output. In the case of the Trim Two Passive, the output side uses XLR cables which the Presonus speakers have also. I just couldn't be happier with my purchase and I highly recommend any of these Radial Engineering products. Remember, it's easy to at first spend $30 to $50 or so on a cheaper DI box, but in most cases, you will lose quite a bit of gain plus some audio deterioration. Pay a few dollars more - stick with products like you see from Radial Engineering and you will be quite satisfied.Have a great Life....

So far so good, works like a charm. I've taken to playing midi keyboard driving ipad running Korg Module as this makes for a very light yet consistent rig (I can take just the ipad and Trim if I'm going somewhere I know has a midi keyboard and have all sounds I use and balanced xlr out to mixer). The stereo to mono switch is invaluable and is one reason I got this model. The fact that you can also use it as a keyboard sub-mixer (since inputs are parallel) is fringe benefit, I can run second sound module through it too. Feels well made and sounds fine. Going in to mixer mic input instead of line inputs has come in really handy when needing to add gain, run long cable, and eliminate hum. Case is bit heavy but that's probably because they use so much metal, seems indestructible (I'd settle for a little less sturdiness and a little less weight). Components seem heavy duty. All in all I'm very happy I bought this device. Have gigged with it twice so far and use in in practice every day and it's held up great.

Total game changer. Until now, I never had control over the volume of my keyboard going out of my amp to the PA without changing the volume of my amp. What would usually happen is my volume in the monitors/mains would be louder than my volume coming out of my amp, basically making it impossible to hear my amp at the right volume without making myself way too loud in the PA (or occasionally the other way around). No longer is this an issue — so nice to finally have a continuously variable knob to adjust rather than at the most a -15dB pad!! Also the mono/sum feature is super useful if you have two mono sources that need to be summed into one channel (the case for me most of the time).

This is a particularly good stereo DI, and what makes it so for my purposes is the level control.I have to go from a mixer line out into the mic ins on a camcorder, and while there are fixed attenuation DIs that work for this, I found this to be the absolute best solution.Indeed, most of the time I have the level control at 9:00 or slightly below, which is far beyond the attenuation provided by "fixed level" DIs.The sound quality itself is what you'd expect from Radial; the attenuation does not harm the sound quality at ALL.Highly recommended for sending audio to the mic in of camcorders or other such devices, or for putting line level consumer audio from a laptop or CD player into the mic pres of a mixing board.Expensive, but every dime is heard in the audio quality; I'm sorry I waited so long to buy one.

Well crafted and capable of solving many issues in sound and music.

Not very happy with it

I have had this box for about 5 years. It is solidly built with a case entirely constructed of metal. It has a trim pot on the input side -- this is not a feature I have found on other DI boxes. The sound quality is great -- no hum or hiss. However I do have a definite issue with the long term quality of the box.I have only used the box about a dozen times. Tonight I went to unplug an RCA cable from the input side. The crown ring of the RCA jack immediately separated from the rest of the box. I am quite careful about removing RCA plugs, as I had this happen with another Radial product about 10 years ago. Needless to say, I am quite disappointed this expensive DI did not hold up, given the very light usage.

This thing is amazing. Like every other Radial product I own. Built quality, transformers, perfect isolation, dead quiet.