Hi Friends,
 
I've used an Avalon U5 preamp for years to record bass and electric guitar direct into Sonar and been quite happy with it.  But I live in a salty seaside environment and, like much of my other equipment, it has corroded and died.  I'm thinking of buying a new one, but also considering alternatives in the same price range (or a little more like the UA 710 Twinfinity).  Does anyone have any experience, thoughts or reasoned suggestions?
 
Or should I just use my Line6 POD HD-Pro clean output?
 
Thanks,
Bill

I've never heard the Avalon U5, but it looks like a very nice preamp targeted at instruments. You may want to get another one since you're happy with the sound.
 
I've used several preamps for bass and guitar with good to really good results (Neve, ISA One, TB12, ADL600, VMP-2). My favorites have have been ART PowerPlant (elec gtr), J-Station (elec and bass), ISA One (for bass) and Amplifire (elec gtr) for direct. Using a good mic and any of the above preamps worked well for acoustics. The J-Station in particular is still my go-to for direct bass guitar while the Amplifire see most of the recording duties for elec gtr. Good results every-time.
 
 

For the quality it delivers (for the cost)... its hard to beat the U5.
 
If you've got a larger budget, checkout the Neve Portico-II.
Sounds amazing on DI electric bass.
 
Also, checkout the A-Designs Reddi Box.
You need to run the Reddi Box into a Mic preamp.

I usually use a WARM pre for bass di duties when the Portico is busy with the guitar.  Works great.  The ISA One is a little cleaner and lighter and works great for poppy/less electric songs.  And either makes a great mic-pre with the same caveats about their sound.

Thanks for all the suggestions, gentlemen.  I opted to replace the U5 with a new one  Like Jim R. says, for the price, its hard to beat.  And although it would be fun to have something with a few more bells and whistles, I've never found I needed anything else for my level of production.
 
Regards,
Bill

If it works, why change?  Seems like a smart decision.

I'd like to hear one sometime.