Rupert Neve Designs RNDI-M

Boasting a custom Rupert Neve‑designed transformer, one of the best‑sounding DI circuits out there just got more affordable.

It’s almost a decade since I reviewed Rupert Neve Designs’ (RND’s) first active DI, the RNDI. Including the newer two‑ and eight‑channel variants that followed, RND have now sold some 35,000 channels (and counting!) of that circuit. But it’s always been priced for professionals...

Now, the company’s RNDI‑M Active Transformer Direct Interface puts the same Class‑A, FET‑based input stage and custom transformer in a more pedalboard‑friendly box for a significantly lower price, something made possible by the decision not to cater for power‑amp outputs (if that’s important to you, the RNDI remains available).

Outside & In

The RNDI‑M is an active design, that takes its power from a preamp’s 48v phantom supply.The RNDI‑M’s rectangular metal enclosure has a classy black and light grey aesthetic. Paralleled In and Thru quarter‑inch isolated jacks and a 48V phantom power indicator LED are located on the front. On the rear are a balanced output XLR and a switch to lift the pin 1 chassis ground. Inside, the phantom‑powered circuitry sits on a single PCB carrying the connectors, LED and switch, along with the input stage and the transformer, which isolates the unbalanced input and...