Klark Teknik DN100 V2

Updated model of the DN100

The Klark Teknik DN100 V2 has established itself as a favorite among engineers and musicians alike. With its high headroom, dynamic range, and sonic clarity, the updated version of the DN100 faithfully reproduces the character of electric and acoustic instruments, allowing you to capture far more detail from musical performances. The updated DN100 V2 is designed for professional applications where +48 V phantom power is standard on all mixing consoles. Its innovative design results in a much higher clipping point than many other active DI boxes, and provides an output of +10 dBu at a 2-kΩ load. This increased headroom means that much higher input signals can be recorded without the need for an attenuation pad. Combined with a very low noise input circuit topology, the DN100 V2 offers a very wide dynamic range and requires only a single -30 dB pad for direct connection to instrument amplifier outputs. Its rugged and compact design makes it suitable for everyday touring. A thick aluminum profile protects the electronics, which in turn are encased in a rugged silicone rubber shell.

Balanced, transformer-isolated output

Extensive listening tests with a variety of active and passive bass guitars, electro-acoustic guitars, and electronic musical instruments were conducted by Klark Teknik to select the components for the DN100 V2 to achieve the best musical sound. Not only was the choice of audio transformer particularly important in achieving this goal, but the impedances of the surrounding components were also very crucial in getting the best possible performance out of the audio transformer. The line characteristics of the transformer output were carefully optimized to achieve the best frequency and phase responses for short and long cables and widely varying line and termination impedances.

Care was taken in the design of the DN100 V2 to avoid saturating the core of the audio transformer, and a fixed high-pass filter was incorporated into the signal path to cut frequencies below those of musical importance. The lowest note of a 5- or 6-string bass guitar is B0 with a frequency of 30.87 Hz, and the lowest note of an 88-key piano keyboard is A0 with a frequency of 27.50 Hz. The active DI box still maintains a frequency response of ±0.5 dB at these lowest musical notes. In addition to the transformer in the signal path, the DN100 V2 also has a transformer to isolate the power rails to the input circuit from the phantom power coming from the XLR output connector. In conjunction with the Earth-Lift switch, this complete galvanic isolation of the input and output interfaces ensures that any risk of ground loops is avoided when feeding stage backline equipment directly.

Dual Impedance Inputs

A custom instrument-grade input circuit has been developed for the DN100 V2, using advanced analog design techniques to produce the very high input impedance required for passive guitar and bass pickups, while keeping actual component values low to minimize noise. This innovative approach to circuit design results in a very low noise floor which, combined with the high clipping point, produces an unrivalled dynamic range in a +48V phantom powered DI box. It also features one XLR and two ¼" TRS inputs wired in parallel, one of which can also be used as a link output for connection to a guitar or bass amp. When connected to the XLR input only, the input impedance is 20 kΩ, which is ideal for line-level equipment and offers even lower noise performance. This input impedance is far too low for guitar and bass pickups and is removed from the circuit when a jack plug is inserted into a ¼" TRS input, resulting in a nominal input impedance of 1 MΩ, which is ideal for passive electric pickup.

Illuminated 30dB pad and ground-lift switches.

Klark Teknik's DN100 V2 features illuminated pad and Ground-Lift switches that, along with the +48V phantom power indicator LED, provide status indication at a glance, even at long distances and viewing angles.

The Ground-Lift switch separates the input and output grounds, useful for avoiding ground loops between devices with different power supplies.