Question for Walrus Audio Phoenix Users

[MannequinRaces]

For those of you that own the Walrus Audio Phoenix do you like it? I've heard mixed reviews that the outputs are too close together and that it doesn't lay flat. Regarding the outputs, I'm not one to tour, take my board out much, or change the order of things very often so I don't see this being a big deal. As far as it not laying flat I plan on putting it on top of my board so I can enjoy the artwork so I don't know if it would affect that or not. I was initially waiting for a Strymon Zuma but those only have the nine outputs and won't be shipping until end of Sept. / beginning of October.

[jrmy]

This is relevant to my interests, as well...

[echorec]

Not to wrong-foot you, but have you looked at the Yankee units? I've been kind of torn between the Zuma and the Phoenix also, but I can't help but to consider that perhaps I should just save a little extra and get a YP unit instead.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=yankee+power

[Ghost Hip]

I had one for about a year and a half, I have since limited myself to less pedals for creative reasons, but here are my thoughts.

The outputs are pretty tightly squeezed together. Which if you are using all of the outputs can be tricky getting your board looking pretty. I had it on the top of my board as well. Never had a problem gigging like that. My only complaint with mine is right out of the box the whole top row wiggled a little bit. It never effected performance but it did not make me feel confident either.

Other than that it looks awesome, powers more pedals with one unit than any other isolated power supply I could find at the time. I definitely would pick one up again if I felt I needed to use my PT-Pro again.

Here is a picture of what I did with it right after I received it.

phoenixxx by Jared Talcott, on Flickr

In summary though:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJe9msZaGB8[/youtube]

[MannequinRaces]

Not to wrong-foot you, but have you looked at the Yankee units? I've been kind of torn between the Zuma and the Phoenix also, but I can't help but to consider that perhaps I should just save a little extra and get a YP unit instead.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=yankee+power

I think the Yankee units are REALLY nice but way over-engineered for the use that I need (mainly rocking out in my bedroom studio or at a friend's house). I really appreciate the suggestion though.

[MannequinRaces]

I had one for about a year and a half, I have since limited myself to less pedals for creative reasons, but here are my thoughts.

The outputs are pretty tightly squeezed together. Which if you are using all of the outputs can be tricky getting your board looking pretty. I had it on the top of my board as well. Never had a problem gigging like that. My only complaint with mine is right out of the box the whole top row wiggled a little bit. It never effected performance but it did not make me feel confident either.

Other than that it looks awesome, powers more pedals with one unit than any other isolated power supply I could find at the time. I definitely would pick one up again if I felt I needed to use my PT-Pro again.

Thank you Jared. The part about the loose top row makes me a bit nervous. Super torn between getting this or the Zuma. My gut is telling me to wait for the Zuma.

[Jwar]

So I guess to me it would depend on what you are powering. The Zuma offers a TON of power (500 ma on every out, plus two with 9-18v at 500 ma) for the footprint, plus the 24v out to attach to the Ojai, which is fucking cool as shit. The price point is 249 for the Zuma and 149 for the Ojai (which also has 5 outs at 500 ma).

The Phoenix has 15 total outs, but significantly less power and is priced at 279.

So there is a 119 dollar difference for 14 outs vs 15.

There is a LOT of factors to take into account but here are a few I'd think about.

-Strymon has been tested tried and true for numerous years. They are innovative and intelligent in all their designs and stand behind their products, whereas Walrus has not been around nearly as long and who the hell knows about their quality control.

-You are getting more than enough power from the Strymon, so you'll never have to worry about under powering a pedal, whereas the Phoenix you would. The Strymon offers enough to power almost anything except maybe a Whammy which has an insane power requirement. The Walrus has mostly 100 ma outs, which could be useful, but you're never going to get a true 100 ma from them and you'll most like be under powering one or more pedal.

-The quality of the Strymon is going to be significantly better. I mean, let's not kid ourselves. Sound quality aside (I think they sound sterile), they are top end in regards to quality of their products in the stomp box world. So I'd go with them in a heart beat.

I mean all my opinions subjective, but I think the Strymon is a sure fire thing and the quality will be above and beyond.

[MannequinRaces]

All very very good points! Thanks jwar! I should have mentioned I already have an Ojai and love it but need around 15 outputs total. The Phoenix would give me some room for expansion down the road if need be, or I could buy another Ojai. If I do buy the Zuma that will be $400 total for nine outputs or roughly $44.44 per isolated output.

[Jwar]

See I need about 22-24 outputs for my board, but I'd easily buy the Strymon. I've thought about the Phoenix in the past, but am ultimately disappointed in it's non ability to power my weird ma pedal. Maybe I'll take the dive for you and let you know how it goes.

[MannequinRaces]

I think I've made up my mind to wait on the Zuma. The Ojai is great and I'm expecting the exact same thing from the Zuma (only with more outputs)!

[echorec]

This might work for some people looking to do a second board, or a smaller board with more modest power needs.

It's $149 with 10 total sections, including 4 isolated sections of 300ma or greater, and two 18v 250ma spots. This could power Empress, Strymon, and Diamond pedals, along with other more standard pedals simultaneously. It could also be good for giving more headroom to the Catalinbread delays that can accept 18v. It's not a match for Eventide products, but it's certainly more economical than some of the competition.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DCBrickISO

http://www.strymon.net/gear-guide-getti ... mon-pedal/

[ThorZ]

I always worry about the MXR stuff, i had the DC brick (silver one) but that wasn't isolated and it pretty much sucked. i have a cheap 10 power socket thing that powers all my smaller pedals and i need to change it, ( have and ADAM for my nano+)

I hear things about Walrus that dont always convince me i want to buy their stuff im guessing the strymon would last a fair amount of years looks super well built but the money.... ACK

[MannequinRaces]

I'm still holding out for a Zuma at this point. Hopefully by end of October. http://www.strymon.net/zuma-progress-report/

[PeteeBee]

Happy as a clam with my Ojai. Zuma should be great for a large board.