Atlas Pro Audio Juggernaut Pre-Amp Review

[PheelTheMusic]

Hey Nathan -

Thanks for the helpful info in our PM conversation!

Sound samples would be invaluable for myself (and I'm sure many others) in making a purchase decision. I'm deciding between the Juggernaut and one or two other 500 series pres to add to my lunchbox in the next few days but it's tough to pull the trigger on the Juggernaut without ever hearing what it might sound like.

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I'm hoping to start on our own sound samples in the next couple weeks. Waiting on the second batch of Juggernauts to come in.

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by PheelTheMusic

Hey Nathan -

Thanks for the helpful info in our PM conversation!

Sound samples would be invaluable for myself (and I'm sure many others) in making a purchase decision. I'm deciding between the Juggernaut and one or two other 500 series pres to add to my lunchbox in the next few days but it's tough to pull the trigger on the Juggernaut without ever hearing what it might sound like.

You're going to like it. It is getting used more than my API 512C and just as much as my Shadow Hills. Vocals sit really well on top of the mix.

[masp84]

How does the juggernaut compare to A-Desings REDDI for bass? I was pretty sold on REDDI, but decided to drop the A-Des MP-2 and get an API luchbox instead, I already got Adevis MA5, Shadow Hills Gamma, Purple Compressor and I'm thinking Juggernaut would be a nice choice, is it better than REDDI?.

[NathanEldred]

I haven't compared it directly at the same time, but I have compared the REDDI to a lot of different hi-end things in my rack and I've compared the Juggernaut to most or more of the same things in my rack. The Juggernaut will easily be just as good as the REDDI based on those comparisons. The Juggernaut has got a ton of punch and growl as you can hear from the sample at the beginning of this thread.

[Flying_Dutchman]

whoha, i´m impressed by juggernaut, great punch

[masp84]

I'm definitely getting one soon!! thanks!

[masp84]

Btw- I guess it can be clean and present as well rite?? just as great as REDDI

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by masp84

Btw- I guess it can be clean and present as well rite??

The Juggernaut can go from dirty/thick to quite clean/airy (and everywhere in between). If you count up all the settings (2 input transformers, 2 output transformers, +THD being on or off, and 41 impedance settings, it's 328 total permutations).

[NathanEldred]

Well, the special pricing on the first fifty units is over. #50 has been sold today.

However, for #51 - #100 we are still going to include the extra nickel output transformer for free instead of charging a la carte for it as we had originally planned. So $895 with free extra transformer.

Thanks again Gearslutz, you guys really do rock

[futur2]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Well, the special pricing on the first fifty units is over. #50 has been sold today.

However, for #51 - #100 we are still going to include the extra nickel output transformer for free instead of charging a la carte for it as we had originally planned. So $895 with free extra transformer.

Thanks again Gearslutz, you guys really do rock

congrats nathan! i hope that means we'll see more 500 series products from you (compressor )! i'm sorry i had to pass, bought too much gear too early this year. but maybe soon...

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by futur2

congrats nathan! i hope that means we'll see more 500 series products from you (compressor )!

Thanks! We're working on a colored opto 500 comp (Tim designing), I'm hoping for end of year. We want to do a transformer input/output 500 series VCA comp too. That might be by end Spring '09 though if it even happens.

I'm sorry i had to pass, bought too much gear too early this year. but maybe soon...

No worries at all :-)

[pan60]

congrats!

[Crankitup]

if your compressor is anything like the juggernaut then...

[futur2]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

We want to do a transformer input/output 500 series VCA comp too.

great! heard of your opto plans but that's something new...

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by futur2

great! heard of your opto plans but that's something new...

Yeah, I want to do a really thick sounding but still articulate VCA, like a Smart meets a DBX 160VU. With as much variable control as can be crammed on a one slot 500 series front.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Yeah, I want to do a really thick sounding but still articulate VCA, like a Smart meets a DBX 160VU. With as much variable control as can be crammed on a one slot 500 series front.

Ahh man how about non 500 series-

Can we get a non lunchbox version- dual channel, if so count me in-would be a great spoon for my soc1.1.

GJ
Newcastle/OZ

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Ahh man how about non 500 series-

Can we get a non lunchbox version- dual channel, if so count me in-would be a great spoon for my soc1.1.

GJ
Newcastle/OZ

If all goes as planned, the entire series will also be turned into 19" 1ru 2 channel rack units of various combinations from the entire product line (that is also found in the 500 format). We'll probably do this with the Juggernaut first (i.e. stereo Juggs in a 1ru rack) to see how it goes. IF this happens probably 9-12 months from now. I know it doesn't seem like it because 500 series is hot on GS right now, but 19" rack gear is still very popular.

[PheelTheMusic]

Well, I just wanted to take a moment to post a short clip of the Jugg in action to maybe help some Slutz make their next preamp purchase decision...

This is me playing a POS cheap Ibanez acoustic guitar that happened to be laying around and a majorly impromptu setup.

Vocal -> CM7GT(K47) in Figure8 -> Juggernaut -> Lucid AD9624
AC GTR -> Oktavamod Oktava MK012 -> Lachapell 583 -> Lucid AD9624

Vox and guitar performed together

Jugg was nickel in, nickel out, THD NOT switched in, Impedence at around 7k.

Sorry for my horrendous singing! I don't pretend to be a singer but this one is particularly yucky! A touch of UAD Plate 140 on vox and guitar as well as a touch of UAD LA2A on the vox. No EQ!

EDIT: The clip disappeared and won't let me repost for some reason but Nathan has the file so PM him to hear it :)

[NathanEldred]

Your voice sounds professional to me. Nice vibe and delivery. Very 3-D sound too IMHO. The Wunder is an incredible mic.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by pan60

i have a soft spot for colored pres: )~ i am looking forward to getting one of these in!

Hey Pan,

Let me know if you are ready to try some Juggernauts in your studio yet...

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Hey Pan,

Let me know if you are ready to try some Juggernauts in your studio yet...

i am always ready, it is my C.C. limit that seems to fail me: (~

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by pan60

i am always ready, it is my C.C. limit that seems to fail me: (~

No obligation Pan, you've got the library card at Atlas!

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

No obligation Pan, you've got the library card at Atlas!

thanks i do appreciate it!

[computa]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

You can make it sound 'big', or you can make it sound more 'focused' depending on the setting (for instance I've found that 300-1200 ohms makes things more mid focused with most mics; ribbons, dynamics, and transformer output condensers). Once it gets into the 4000+ohms range, depending on the mic, it starts to become 'big' sounding. By putting in the features that effect the sound so much, in the right places in the circuit, is what does this (Tim's the man).

with the many sounds u get out of this- can u use it on a DAW 2buss?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by computa

with the many sounds u get out of this- can u use it on a DAW 2buss?

Do you mean with a passive summer like the Folcrom, or just +4 line level out into the preamp? Really the answer to both situations would be yes...but you'd approach it a little differently in each case. With the passive mixer, just go straight into the Juggernauts with about 30-35db of gain. Since it's going into the mic preamp input you'll be able to get all the benefit of the transformer input switching and impedance settings, although higher impedance will probably be the most natural. If you are going out of a D/A, just like with any preamp, you'll have to watch the levels going out of the D/A and into the preamp.

Mic preamps utilize a much lower input level than line level (they are actually converter a low microphone up to a line level), so you can turn the BOOST off which may be enough to match with a +4 level, but you may still need to pad the input slightly. One really cool thing about the Juggernaut that is unique right now to any other preamp, is that if you are going out of a D/A into the mic input of a Juggernaut, you'll be able to set the impedance very high if necessary (up to 10,000 ohms), so there will be no chance of impedance mismatch like there could be with a standard preamp with a much lower impedance.

Either way you will be able to go from bright to dark, from clean and expansive, to rich and focused with the Juggernaut, so yes the flexibility in this situation is very good.

[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!

[Crankitup]

Originally Posted by PheelTheMusic

Not "dirty" or "heavily colored" but it has a great musical dose of metal in there

It's very colored... unless you're comparing it to a distortion box or something ha