[PheelTheMusic]

Alright, so here are some further impressions after having owned the Juggernaut for a while longer now...

I have to admit that after the initial week-or-so long honeymoon period I started to grow a bit disinterested in the Jugg. I was simply spending more time with my other high-end pres. Finally in the past few days I found the motivation to give the Jugg another go and I have been blown away.

The Jugg absolutely needs more tweaking than any other pre I own - but the payoff is worth it. On the wrong impedance or transformer setting or combination thereof, the sound seems only 90% there. Totally workable but not something that's going to win out over the other usual suspects. It's when you find that magic combination of settings that the Jugg really comes alive. Tonight I was tracking vocals with my Blue Kiwi. I tried the mic through the Lachapell 583, API 512c and the Pacifica and wasn't thrilled with any of them on this particular vocal. Finally I ran it through the Jugg with impedance at 4k, THD on and nickel transformers both in and out - PERFECT. Beautiful balanced 3D sound. Pre-mixed like a record. Maybe the Kiwi likes the higher impedance load? Who knows, I'm not a techie, but I do know that this chain sounded beautiful. Switched to Iron input transformer and the tone changed slightly but was equally impressive. This versatility is truly a lifesaver when the other static designs just won't cut it for whatever reason.

The Jugg is able to achieve a more focused and tighter sound than any of the other aforementioned pres when dialed in just right. It's a great tone. Not "dirty" or "heavily colored" but it has a great musical dose of metal in there. Tim Farrant is one hell of a designer.

My Avedis MA5, API 512c, and the Jugg now have to battle it out to see who gets a twin brother for the final spot in my lunchbox... hmm... decisions, decisions, decisions...

and by the way - Nathan stands by his product in outstanding fashion!