[NAMM] A-Designs JM-3001

Hand-built in the US, the new A-Designs device features three inputs—microphone, instrument and EQ/insert—which may be used together or independently. The product is also equipped with a three-band parametric EQ and high/low filters, as well as two independent transformer balanced outputs (microphone and EQ).

The heart of the JM-3001 is its C12X transistor operational amplifier designed by Carl Johnson that operates on +/-30 VDC rails. “The C12X is a high-gain, fast-slew, stable audio block with virtually no DC offset over the audio spectrum and is capable of driving a 50 ohm load at 50 Hz with very little current draw, ” according to A-Designs. It is used in the microphone preamp, instrument input amp and main output/EQ output stages of the product.

The JM-3001's microphone preamplifier is a single-stage, transformer-coupled and balanced I/O design. This section feeds the EQ and preamp output mult simultaneously and includes phase reverse, a –20 dB pad, +48V phantom power with LED indicator and a plastic conductive gain control pot.

The instrument input preamplifier is a single-stage, single-ended, high impedance input designed primarily with guitar and bass pickups in mind. Similarly utilizing a C12X op amp, this section is separate from the mic pre and includes a 1/4-inch phone jack and gain pot on the front panel. Like the mic preamp, this section also feeds the EQ and preamp output mult simultaneously.

The equalizer input/insert return is a direct-coupled, balanced input that is post the mic pre and the instrument input. Inserting a TRS 1/4-inch phone jack into this connection allows for direct input to the equalizer, bypassing both the mic pre and instrument input.

Pricing & Availability

Available in February, retail pricing on the A-Designs Audio JM-3001 is set at $2,600.00 USD.