BSS Vs. ART DI box comparative test

I've been needing of four DI boxes lately, to use with my contact mics
for my field recordings purposes. I already had two BSS AR-133
and I'm very happy with them.
I was thinking to buy a couple more but my actual finances
suggested to look for something a bit cheaper.
I spent some time surfing through internet trying to compare
prices and characteristics, but all look fabulous and the price seems
the only difference.

So I decided to go for ART brand that I already know and made me
happy in my past, so I ordered a couple of their Xdirect.
I think is a pretty affordable risk to take.
Once received I wanted to compare them through a non scientific test,
for pure curiosity, just to have some ideas on how different will be
the sound in my recordings using different accessoires.

BSS AR-133

BSS Audio AR-133 (manufactured in UK) *Z-AR 133 1035914*
bought around 2000.

What I found

The AR-133 is rock-solid, pretty heavy and very good engineering.
They definitely developped the box to be reliable for a long life
on stages.
Maybe is not ideal for field recordings, where the weight
of every component matters.
Sonic-wise sometimes I have issues with buzz grounding noises;
I tried to sort out with the earth-lift switch and changing
cables without any good result.

ARTcessoires Xdirect

ARTcessories Xdirect (designed & developed in the US
by: applied research and technology • made in china) 06/2009

What I found

The Xdirect has cheap engineering, is clear there once
in my hands, mirroring the price I paid, so I couldn't expect
anything else. The second time I inserted a 9V battery I had to help me
with pliers because the holder was already gone,
and I have to replace it as soon as I will buy the spare part.
I still don't see the point to use cardborad to house the battery.
On the other hand is little and lightweight, with the invert and filter buttons
making it desirable for field recordings.
Sonic-wise nothing to report, so far.

A/B comparison

The pictures are scaled mirroring the original size.

Input section

The two boxes are pretty similar, connection-wise.
The Xdirect has the filter button as added feature.

Output section

Pretty similar in the output section as well.
The Xdirect has the phase button as addes feature.

The pictures are scaled mirroring the difference in size between the two DI boxes.

Self-noise comparison

I recorded the self noise samples with an EDIROL R4-Pro,
you will find a sample of it listed below.
The load I used is a contact mic I made with a piezo capsule
50mm diameter.