Has anyone used this pre before? I see it's new to Sweetwater and was wondering if anyone has used it or heard much on it. Let me know.

Thanks,
Lank

Looks like the Arsenal Audio stuff made by API. It's probably very nice if it is.

The JDK R20 is a great pre for the amount of dough you need to buy one.

Its very easy to get a great sound, but I will tell you guys its one type of sound. I like the R24 best out of the whole line. Of course that's an EQ and not a mic amp. These two go together like white on rice.

It is Arsenal Audio by API. The company had to change it's name.

Yea, right now I'm just using my OnBoard 002r pre's and a DMP-3. I'm getting decent results but I'd like to get a nice versatile pre for well, Stereo Pair and Vox at least. I'd like to just drop 1150$ on a GR but I can't justify dropping that much on single channel when I'm not doing anything too large at the moment. I'd like to get a nice two channel that's worth while, maybe a DAV , Sytek(gives me 4 decent pre's), or something of the sort. I saw this though and could justify 500$ / channel so I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it.

Thanks,
Lank

Why did they have to change their name? Arsenal sounds way cooler than JDK. Also, 10 years from now people will be talking about how much better the "Arsenal" units are compared to the lowly "JDK" ones.

explanation here
https://gearspace.com/board/new-prod...duct-name.html

In February, I purchased an Arsenal Audio R20. I prefer simple equipment for simple troubleshooting purposes. If I hear something I don't like, I can track the source much easier.

Being a subdivision of API was another solid factor, I trust that they would only use skilled, American workers, proven schematics, and reliable materials.

Looks also played a big role. Nothing superfluous in the knobs and switches... what's there is what SHOULD be there. For the first 2 months, the sound was incredible. So damn clean...you won't hear a Mackie achieving this pristine level.

Highs are airy and present, mids are solid. But the lows...have a meaty sound that will introduce you to what quality pres can do. It creates that fat, full thump that I've often tried to achieve with eq, but never could. The pre has to capture that low end before you can boost it.

After a couple of months, signals going in began to lose power. I had to crank the gain to get a -48 level. I took it to be repaired, which cost $96. ThePCB had come loose from it's soldering. No big deal.

The cause was, I believe, in the shipping. The mail guy came and slammed the box on the floor, ignoring the fragile sign.

If they do that in front of me, I can only imagine the abuse during shipment.

It's a great pre, I use it with a Brauner Panthera for narration. Buy it for the clean, quality sound. Or the association with API. But don't expect 'bulletproof'. I'm not saying that it's fragile...it's just like any other piece of gear; you drop it, it breaks.

But now that it's back in my studio, I'm loving it again. I don't regret the purchasing decision. My next pre will be a Vintech, but until I have the cash, the R20 will do fine.

So my question is, which would you buy, the jdk mic pre or an Avalon?

bump

Good reviews great price, looks like it's worth looking into. I can see these going for $500-$600 on the used market right shortly. I just might be there to scoop one.

I just got my JDK preamp in today. Sounds fabulous! Bought it slightly used from Sweetwater for $899. I love this thing!!!

Just listened to some bass tracks that I cut with one when they first came out, half the record was on one of those, the other half was on some 512c's (1 channel DI, 1 channel bass mic). I was surprised how good the R20 sounded, Full and round, I wish I cut the whole record with one.

lack of headroom on the R20 didn't bother you? The one I rented was clipping well before the AD of a 003 desk. Didn't sound bad (when not being pushed) but personally I wouldn't buy one.

I only own the R24 also, but it is extremely well made and really looks nice. I'm sure the compressor and pre are both equally as awesome.

i only really noticed a problem when I tried to run individual Drums through it, it seemed to clamp down on the transients too much for my taste, but other then that I didn't have any issues, I didn't have any clipping at all.

we are in complete agreement

Yeah, I use mine with the RNLA in the chain along the MA 200 mic and all my clients so far have complimented the quality of my recordings. Specifically vocals. I'll be doing some bass tracks with it in a couple of weeks so that's good to hear!

Anyone use this on acoustic guitars?

I'm looking for a 2 channel pre to use with my MA-200s for AG.

Was thinking lunchbox with Vintech 500 series, but this may save me some $.

I did last week. I used an MA 200 and an AT 3035. Light compression. Spaced pair. Very pleased even with older strings.

JDK R20 is great for acoustic GTR.....nice clear sound with punch....

A Pair of Tube mic's in X/Y or Blum will surely sound good though these preamps...

On drums, acoustics, room tracks...the works....

I like the sound of it.... when it's working.

When I first got mine, Channel 1 was dead silent. I sent it back but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. When I got it back it was working.

While it was working I always felt there's not enough gain. I often have to push the gain knob near max to get a decent signal. Forget about ribbon mics.

Just today Channel 1 stopped working again. Doesn't feel like a sturdy product.

Hey,

I own one of these babies.. They add a nice mellow flavor to the sound. Nothing that sours or disrupts the sound, but enough to know that the sound is passing through its circuits.

I like running vocals, bass and kick through it especially. But almost all instruments benefit from passing through its body.

What about others? What do you like running through it?

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