Grace Design m303 Active DI with Lundahl Transformer Output ... NEW

m303 DI
The all new Grace Design m303 is an active, truly-isolated direct box, delivering next-generation audio performance for
all live stage and studio applications. Our advanced power supply design provides incredible headroom and dynamic
range. A custom-wound Lundahl transformer outputs amazing low-end clarity and high frequency detail. All of this
performance is packaged in a beautiful and rugged ¼” extruded aluminum chassis. Don’t let the elegant exterior fool
you, this thing is built.
Features
 Phantom powered active DI with full galvanic isolation.
 Custom wound Lundahl transformer, magnetically shielded with a high nickel core
 Ultra-low distortion (below -100dB at 1kHz, below -80dB at 50Hz)
 Ultra-low noise (-118dBu, A weighting)
 Ultra-wide bandwidth 20-80kHz
 Wide dynamic range (124dB)
 Excellent low frequency headroom THD+N @50Hz <-80dB (0.007%)
 1M Ohm input impedance works with any line or pickup signal source
 Peak indicator LED - 3dB before clipping
 Power indicator LED
 Efficient design only draws 4mA of phantom power current
 Through signal connector
 Fully ESD and RFI protected
 Input pad (13dB) for high level signals
 High-quality gold contact toggle switches
 Very rugged 1/4" wall extruded aluminum chassis, recessed connectors
m303 advantages over many other DI products
 Signature Grace Design transparent, musical audio performance
 Active design with true galvanic isolation
 World class Lundahl transformer
 Incredibly low distortion and noise with wide dynamic range
 Deep, rock-solid bass response
 1M ohm input impedance
 Durable, designed for years of reliability
 Backed by a 5 year warranty
 Made in the USA

We have always enjoyed the transparency and versatility of our Grace preamps and have used them for years for our “static” staff inputs with great success. Having built in mute, boost, gain, amp send, and impedance options have been very useful to send consistent quality Lo-Z signal to our mix engineers.

We have other inputs on the Opry used for dynamic festival style inputs where gain structure is fluid and things like a mute and boost are more of a hindrance than a help in a plug and play atmosphere…when we plug in to it, we need to to work well immediately and with all sorts uses. We have daydreamed of a no-frills minimal switch DI option in a rugged more traditional chassis with a wider range of inputs signals before distortion and the same Grace transparency we have grown to love. Needless to say, we were very excited at the announcement of the m303.

Out of the box we first noticed it is heavier and feels very rugged compared to other traditional options on the market. The built-in ground and pad switches are sturdy and have resistance to prevent accidental switching. The blue and silver chassis feels strong and rugged and of a familiar size. Recessed connectors, led indicators and a through jack finished checking all my utilitarian boxes in what I look for in a Di box.

We’ve deployed the m303 on a variety of instruments including Banjo, Acoustic guitar, Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Dobro, and fiddle. First sonic observations were that the Di seemed to have similar sonic characteristics of other Grace products, with a wider range of headroom. We were able to use something as soft as passive pickup acoustic to an active electric bass in the same input and the Di produced quality Lo Z signal without any distortion or clipping on the front end. Low-end feels clear and true while maintaining natural and not over-hyped high-end brilliance. So far, we haven’t found much that the m303 can’t do.

-Nic Faddy, Supervisor of Audio Services, Grand Ole Opry