After extensive comparisons between 16 different DI boxes, I have sold / returned all but two…
I have kept the Countryman 85 and I have kept the Kemper DI Box.
These two are best and they are very very close, but they are quite a bit better than the 14 other boxes that I have tried. The cheaper (in comparison) DI boxes give poor results for the most part.
I did some experimenting using one box right after the other with exact same amplifier settings… I am playing these back with powered Kemper through a Bogner 4X12 cabinet loaded with ‘69 greenback speakers.
So, I have done DI profiles of a 1972 100 W Marshall head, completely stock, Master Vol on 9.
The countryman 85 Gives a very solid profile with a little more (slight) extended bass and presence frequencies. (extreme top and bottom).
If that is what you’re after, It’s the perfect unit.
However, the Kemper DI box gives a slightly (I’m cutting hairs here) more accurate profile with a ‘quicker’ attack and more of a natural bounce to the feel / string attack of the reference amplifier. Interesting, the profile done with the Kemper DI box gives ‘8.9’ definition where is the profile done with the countryman 85 gives ‘8.0’ definition… I tried matching both but it drove the profiles further away instead of closer together.
The profile done with the Kemper DI box seems to track (cutting hairs here again) slightly faster and the notes come through the speaker cabinet quicker…
Conclusion ... it is well worth getting one of these two DI boxes.
If you buy some cheap Behringer or XXXX DI box, in my experience, your profiles will not be as good / feel/ solid/ accurate as one of these.
If you had to get just one, yes, the Kemper, in my opinion, is the top dog.
Cheers!!