Avalon Design U5 BLACK

First, the U5 comes in white and black, but I think black is the better choice.
The main reason is that it looks cool. I recall that SUGIZO, whom I admire, also used the black model.

Includes only the main unit and power cable.

The U5 is a high-voltage preamplifier/DI equipped with a unique passive tone selector and a variable gain preamplifier/filter. Its high input impedance allows it to handle sources with various signal levels, from acoustic guitars to high-output active basses and keyboards.

The retail price at Sound House is ¥184,800.
The color is black. The blue LED looks cool.

A direct box specifically designed for improved sound quality with its high-voltage Class A design.

- Model Name: U5
- Output Type: Balanced Output
- Input Type: High Input
- Mic Level: 150Ω
- Line Level: 600Ω
- Power: Max AC 400W
- Tone Adjustment: Shape Adjustment
- Boost Function: Boost Adjustment
- Headphone Output: Yes

It seems to be frequently used for playing bass live or during recordings.
If the bass itself is good, you can often finish your sound setup just by sending it to the mixing console with this unit.
The reason I purchased it was for guitar DI purposes, and because it was a favorite piece of gear of the admired SUGIZO. I believe he used it for recording with its deep, core sound, appealing to audiophiles (for re-amping, etc.).

The sound from the U5 alone is wonderful, but it's also said to be good to mix in a bit of the amplifier's sound.
By simply having a quality audio interface and this U5, you can achieve professional studio-level recordings even in a home studio.
You can also use it as a preamplifier by correcting the sound with functions like the boost and tone features. Its usability depends on the user. This is a piece of gear favored by SUGIZO, who uses it at the forefront of his work.