"Avalon U5 - "A Universal Signal Improver for Instruments""

Feature:
I only wish it had an off switch or volume control that went all the way down to zero... ther is power switch.

Quality:
Excellent

Value:
It's a fisrt call device within the industry among the pros.

Desirability:
silly question

Sound:
First Class. I use it as the 1st piece of equipment for my ZETA Electric Violin, which has a thin quality with a slightly cheap sound *IF* used directly into a mixer or effects processor. In other words, the ZETA really needs something to give it life. Now I have used many front end units: analog EQs, preamps, DI boxes, etc. but, none of them did anything of real value other than change frequency contour (EQ) of the sound. The Avalon U5 gives my instrument not only as much gain as I might ever need but allows me to find an improved tone in the form of EQ AND get this: The Avalon U5 transforms the cheap, thin ZETA sound into a real instrument that is attached to real fingers and a bow. All of this plus this great sound delivered noise free into any recording/mixing/cabinate or whatever device in studio or live. This is a REAL GOOD unit worth the price!

Ease of Use:
every thing is simple except again I rate it 9 because you have to think about what it is connected to when pluging or unpluging due to the nature of powering off or powering on anything connected to another source - of course! You have to pull the plug on the U5 to turn it off, as well, plug it in to power it so, depending on what its connected to, you'll have to take extra steps to prevent any issues.

Support:
Can't say because Id have to try support...haven't yet

Overall:
This should be a classic "All one would ever need in an instrument DI/Pre"