Phoenix Audio Nimbus DI is a single channel discrete Class-A direct box. A transformerless input at 10 megohms feeds the DSOP-2 output stage with its custom-wound DB694 transformer.
The pickup sees the load it expected
Passive pickups are sensitive to input impedance: connect one to something too low and it loses top end and turns dull before you have set a single control. The Nimbus DI works at 10 megohms, two orders of magnitude above a typical line input, so a guitar or bass sounds the way it does through a cabinet. A through socket on the front panel passes the signal on to an amplifier, so one connection covers the DI track and a microphone on the cab at the same time.
Gain, not just impedance matching
Most direct boxes only match impedance and hand back a signal quieter than the one that went in. The Nimbus offers up to 30 dB of gain, so a weak hardware module output or a passive bass reaches line level without a preamp helping out. The DB694 transformer in the output path adds saturation when you drive it hot and stays transparent when you need a clean track for later processing.
KEY FEATURES
- Single channel discrete Class-A direct box
- Transformerless input at 10 megohms
- Up to 30 dB of gain
- DSOP-2 Class-A output stage
- Custom-wound DB694 output transformer
- Balanced XLR output on the rear panel
- TS jack input on the rear panel
- Through socket on the front panel
- Works with guitar, bass, synths and hardware modules
- Transformer saturation at higher levels
- External 24 V PSU with lockable connector
- PTFE insulated, silver plated military grade wiring
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Channels: 1
- Input impedance: 10 megohms
- Gain range: 30 dB
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.5 dB)
- Maximum output: +26 dBu at 1 kHz
- Noise floor: -90 dB (22 Hz to 22 kHz)
- Output: balanced XLR on a transformer
- Inputs: TS jack at the rear, through socket at the front
- Power: external 24 V PSU


