K&K Pure vs. Para DI?

Hey folks, Im looking at a preamp to use with my seymour duncan woody pickup and my Fishman rare earth humbucker. Both are fitted to cheap acoustic guitars and Im looking to get a little more gain and to tweak the eq for a more natural sound.

Which of these is best for me? Para DI costs more but if I order from the US I can get it for about £110 + about £30 duty.. The K&K is £99 over here in the UK.

I've tried both, and I prefer the Baggs Para DI. It's more tweakable, has a notch filter to get rid of feedback, and sounds better. I sold the K&K, kept the Para DI.

I use (and love) the K&K Pure Mini pickup in my Taylor.

I've got a K&K Western on my D18. It's paired with an Art MP Tube for the preamp. Amazing sound at an amazing price.

Thanks folks, this is great info. Does the K&K western differ from the K&K pure?

I've tried both, and I prefer the Baggs Para DI. It's more tweakable, has a notch filter to get rid of feedback, and sounds better. I sold the K&K, kept the Para DI.

I use (and love) the K&K Pure Mini pickup in my Taylor.

+1, Para DI is a great unit, and the notch filter is VERY handy.

I love my K&K mini pickup in my Kronbauer though, fantastic pickup for live use. I run it direct thru the PA, I have a Raven Labs Preamp but honestly I don't even use/need it.

Thanks John E. Im leaning toward the para DI. Until recently I didnt play as much acoustic as electric so im learning the ropes. Is the XLR out considered essential?

The XLR out helps for going straight to the PA. I have K & K Mini Western pickups in a Gibson Advanced Jumbo and a Vintage Gibson LG1. It is a really sweet pickup. I have a LR Baggs PARA DI to use, but rarely need to as the Passive K & K pickups don't need it much. When I have used the PARA DI is to go straight to the PA at Weddings and such. Works great.

Greetings,

When the bands fail, I am fortunate enough to have an acoustic show and go out alone until the next group of 'band' candidates comes along.

I use 2 acoustics on stage with an dedicated Para DI for each ... a National Tricone for slide tunings with a Schatten passive transducer attached to the spider - the 2nd one is an Epi Masterbilt with an LR Baggs I-Beam (passive).

The tonal integrity of my instruments is crystal clear and powerful with everything 'flatted' on the Para DIs. The eq sections are outstanding with noise levels being non-existent.
They are truly one of the finest acoustic guitar gadgets out there. Batteries last almost half a year of almost daily use... that is, as long as you remember to unplug.
I will be purchasing a 3rd one for my new Martin 12 string which is currently tucked away under the tree :grin:.
I forgot to mention ... the unit seems like it is built to last a lifetime.

Thanks folks, this is great info. Does the K&K western differ from the K&K pure?

I don't know. A friend had the Western, it sounded good to me so that's what I got...not a lot of research on my part.

I have a K&K that I use with my upright bass (bought the preamp and the pickup together), and it's a nice preamp, but the Baggs is a GREAT preamp.

Tim

This thread reminded me of a post in a "Why DI?" thread back in 2007 that really helped me understand why I should use a good DI. Here it is:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-cafe/88464-di-box.html#post980750

YMMV, of course!

Also, I have--and love--the LRB Para Acoustic.