Atlas Pro Audio Juggernaut Pre-Amp Review - Page 2

bexarametric · 31st May 2008

Quote:

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.

migsoto · 16th July 2008

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 · 16th July 2008

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 · 16th July 2008

whoha, i´m impressed by juggernaut, great punch

migsoto · 16th July 2008

I'm definitely getting one soon!! thanks!

migsoto · 17th July 2008

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

NathanEldred · 17th July 2008

Quote:

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 · 29th July 2008

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 rockthumbsup

futur2 · 29th July 2008

Quote:

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 rockthumbsup

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 · 29th July 2008

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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

No worries at all :-)

pan60 · 29th July 2008

congrats!

Crankitup · 29th July 2008

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

futur2 · 29th July 2008

Quote:

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 · 30th July 2008

Quote:

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 · 30th July 2008

Quote:

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 · 30th July 2008

Quote:

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 · 31st July 2008

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 · 31st July 2008

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

NathanEldred · 20th August 2008

Quote:

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 · 20th August 2008

Quote:

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 · 20th August 2008

Quote:

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 · 20th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

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

thanks i do appreciate it!

computa · 20th August 2008

Quote:

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 · 20th August 2008

Quote:

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 · 30th August 2008

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 · 30th August 2008

Quote:

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

NathanEldred · 1st September 2008

You're both right...distortion ranges from very low to significant depending on settings.

NathanEldred · 11th September 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by PheelTheMusic

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

migsoto · 12th September 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 my for the 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!

Hi, I can't find the link to your clip, I'm really interested in hearing it as I'm getting almost the exact gear you used but with the prism orpheus instead and UAD2. Could you please post it?

NathanEldred · 12th September 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by masp84

Hi, I can't find the link to your clip, I'm really interested in hearing it as I'm getting almost the exact gear you used but with the prism orpheus instead and UAD2. Could you please post it?

I wonder if something happened to the file when the GS server crashed last week?

16th July 2008	#33
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,129	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. __________________ Nathan Eldred Visit Atlas Pro Audio USA Distributor for Buzz Audio Atlas Recording Studios, Inc.

31st July 2008	#47
PheelTheMusic Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island, NY & Washington, DC Posts: 1,100	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 __________________ FOR SALE IN GEARSLUTZ CLASSIFIEDS: Wunder CM7-GT (M7) "Laziness is the worst trait an engineer can have, besides being deaf." - Roc Mixwell "...then we wouldn't have these mangled, distorted blocks of cheese that the major labels seem to call music." - danasti

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16th July 2008	#32
migsoto Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 174	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?.

16th July 2008	#34
Flying_Dutchman Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,049	whoha, i´m impressed by juggernaut, great punch

17th July 2008	#36
migsoto Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 174	Btw- I guess it can be clean and present as well rite?? just as great as REDDI

29th July 2008	#38
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,129	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 rockthumbsup

29th July 2008	#41
pan60 500 series nutjob Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru SKANK! ; ) Posts: 10,749	congrats!

29th July 2008	#42
Crankitup Gear maniac Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF, CA Posts: 169	if your compressor is anything like the juggernaut then...

30th August 2008	#55
PheelTheMusic Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island, NY & Washington, DC Posts: 1,100	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!

1st September 2008	#57
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,129	You're both right...distortion ranges from very low to significant depending on settings.