This item was returned in mint condition. It is free of any performance issues, and has no scratches, blemishes, or other cosmetic flaws. The DB-1's simple design offers reliable input jacks as well as a loop-through 1/4 in. jack. Plug any instrument level signal (and some line level) into the box, interface with a standard XLR mic cable into the Lo-Z output, and you're ready to plug the output directly into a mixing console. A ground lift switch is provided for buzz-free operation in almost any environment.