Atomic Amps Reactor 112 Combo

Not a lot of features, but very slick looking. Simple power switch on top and effects loop in the back. Amp is not too big and not too small. Very sturdy construction. It's simple, but I like simple!

Finally!!! I can hear what these POD sounds are like amplified. I have used the POD many times for recording, but it's so cool to hear all of these sounds through an amp. I've been able to mess with the POD more and find some more interesting sounds that I may not have been able to find without the amp.

This amp can get LOUD! Would definitely hold its own if the amp was not miked during a gig.

Works great with effects, like most other amps, either straight from the POD or with pedal effects. Although, I do prefer pedal effects.

You can use just about any guitar with this amp because of the variety of tones you get out of the POD. It's easy to have a lot of fun with this amp.

Would bring this amp to any gig. As long as you maintain it and take care of it, there should be nothing to worry about. I tend to maintain all of my equipment anyway.

Any time I inquired about the amp, the owner contacted me right away. When I finally decided to buy it, he called me directly the same day. Extremely friendly and helpful!

I am extremely happy with my purchase. I can't wait to get more use out of it. I'm definitely interested in seeing what new products they come up with in the future.

I do a lot of session work in the NYC area. In the few times I have played out with the amp, I've had people, including friends and fellow session musicians, come up to me asking about the amp. Haven't used it for recording yet, but I can't wait to try it out.

You know this one already, little if any features. I'm giving it a high number as I'm a guitar player, not a Knob Turning Engineer by trade ... simple is the goal and this is smple!

Tube power amp - you supply the preamp, there's your features.

I've tried for years to figureout but it's clear that tubes anywhere in the path HELP your tone. I've got setups now that have tubes in the preamp and none in the power amp and with this setup it's the opposite.

I like both, but not too many power amps offer effects and versatility so it was important and SMART o allow the tubes to be the power source. Nice!

It makes all 3 of my modelers sound as real as a tube amp as my tube amps sound, so I like the sound very much.

I'm high gain modern rocker and it's difficult to get that tight gritty grungy overdriven tube drive hat Lamb of God and COC, Down and Pantera get out of this but if your good and you know where to look ... you CAN get it.

Never had any issues, but if I do then I feel confident that their customer support is without a doubt the best possibe solution (just by reading every possible review on these units). I'm a Electrician so I'd probably perform a 'Look-See' on her before shipping it back just yet. LOL!

Never needed it, but How cool is it that he calls personally!! That deserves a 10 by someone who owns one, but never has needed it. That's the tits!

In a digital world, it's the closest possible answer! If you're like me you HATE turning knobs and spending hours looking for that sound, so you bought one of those all-in-one modeler units and it's the way it's suppose to be, BUT NOW you have to find a way to amplify it, however everything else seems to miss the heart and soul of the music. It sounds dead (someone said it earlier), kind of like having a Zombie singing and everyone asking why your sound is so dead!

I'm not going to tell you my gear, because I'm in a category where people call me crazy, because I own one of everything! I've been playing since I was sporting Huggies and I'm almost 30 now. I own 42 various types of guitars, I own 19 different amps (combos and heads) and 11 different styles of JUST speaker cabinets. I'm not going to count how many little stomp boxes are in that closet (wife said it's now between 70 - 80) ... but I play 6 - 8 times a week in 3 different bands, 1 plays beach music covers, etc. 1 plays college bar covers (top 40, rock, pop, blues, etc.) and 1 that plays Metal covers and we're dishing out our original stuff now, too. I've been all over North America and if you've got one, I've either returned it or I still have it! Tone is subjective and I play on this thing EVERYDAY! This unit is considered my morning coffee, one of my reasons for waking up and my reason for sleep walking in to my "guitar room" at night and playing for an hour and not remembering the next day. I'm getting help with that.

I play for a living! I even play in my sleep. There is said to be 24 hours in a day ... I'm usually playing during 22 of them.

And I like this unit alot. It's roughly 3 years old now? Not a scratch on it. Plays like it was just opened up and turned on yesterday. It'll always be in my house ... unless it causes the house to catch on fire. If you're looking for that magical piece of equipment that filters out what you just played and plays what you meant to play ... this might be it!

see my original review 10/03/06

see my original review 10/03/06

see my original review 10/03/06

I should update my previous review, which was quite negative towards customer service from Atomic. Someone apparently notified Atomic about the post and they have since bent over backwards to make sure I have received all assistance.

We're still working through the fix to my amp problem, and I still don't know what happened to all my earlier e-mails to Atomic. However, Tom (the president) has done a great job at trying to make sure that we're on the right track now.

I would still have preferred a telephone number listed on the website so I didn't have to keep sending e-mails (which apparently disappeared into the electronic ether). But, customer service is ultimately all about recognizing when a problem exists and doing what is possible to rectify the situation. Tom & Atomic have certainly responded well in this regard.

Please take my new rating into account instead of the "3" from my previous review.

see my original review 10/03/06

This amp has no features (save for tubes, a speaker and a box). But that's why i bought it! I use a tonelab SE as a preamp. The tube on tube combo is just amazing. No knobs to screw around with. Just Simple, creamy tone. The amp was made for Your effects processor.

The quality of sound rivals any Fender made Tube amp. Clean, it will melt you... you can litterally tastwe it. Distortion is a little bottom heavy. But with an adjustment of the preamp, Vwala, sounds great.

Had it for two years, never changed a tube or anything.

Never needed customer support.

The one downside to this amp is the power. For such a large piece of equipment, it should be at least 30 watts.

Not many features, but what features do we need in this amp concept...? I think only a master volume would be necessary. Just imagine yourself tweaking the pod and then tweaking the amp... what a waste of time.

I use it hooked up to a Line 6 Pod Pro v.1.0. I do it all in the pod, and then just play and listen... that's the deal!!!!

Goooood! Just hear the tubes right there...just one word: ORGANIC!!!

Warning! Please read the pod manual CAREFULLY and learn how to hook it up properly. The first time I used the 112 sounded really crappy! and you may ask why? That was because the cab emulation does not suit realy good with 112. I learned how to bypass it and set the right live config to 1 12" speaker... and heaven came to me!

112 excels in clean sounds much better than distorted ones. Let me drop some words on this issue. You will hear the tubes working in the clean and not very overdriven sounds. Try soloing through a Black face patch and you will understand what I mean... I felt like Knoffler!!!

Distorted sounds: Not excellent but enough good. Rectifier settings keep quite clean but rather powerless and I find some problems to get a really good hi gain soloing tone, but my quest in the 112 is not over yet.

Yes reliable at home ;P

I'm not going to tour with it, I am waiting for the 212 - 50 watt model. It's gonna burn!!!

Never used

I play modern rock styles: from Peppers to Tool, from 'tallica to Satriani.

I feel this is a awesome amp for pactising but not enough power to tour with. Tubes work fine and the speaker is really clear and the overall looking is sweet!

World wide modeller users: try 112 and rock!

Not many features, but that's not what this amp is about. It's about the quality of sound, and how well it reproduces what's coming out of your modeler. To that end, it is fantastic. I purchased the 18 watt, which -unlike the 50 watt models - doesn't come with any volume knob. That took a bit of getting used to.

The sound is very true to my Pod XT Live. At least as good as the sound coming out of the headphones, if not better due to the tubes in the amp warming the sound a bit. I played for hours when I got it, and was extremely impressed with the tone I got from the Atomic.

I use the Variax in tandem with the XTL and Atomic, and the combination is beautiful. From clean to distorted tones, I'm consistently amazed at the sheer high quality tones that come of this amp.

My only issue with the amp in my band, we're extremely loud, and putting this amp at its highest setting will overdrive it to the point that the cleans become distorted. But with an 18 watt amp, that is to be expected. If you mic it at mid-volume, that problem goes away. But I like to keep an amp onstage as a monitor. No problem though, as Atomic is letting me send my 18 watt back to get the 50 watt for the difference in price.

I've only had it for a couple of weeks, but I can't see that it would have any problems that any other amp wouldn't have.

Customer support for me has been nothing short of stellar. Before I was ready to purchase, I was able to talk to Tom King, the owner of Atomic Amps, and make sure that this amp was going to suit my needs. S

I've been playing for about 20 years, and I'm surprised how much I enjoy playing the Variax with the XTL, considering I've always been a purist. I had tried my Marshall, my Crate and even going direct to the mains to get a good sound at clubs, but the Atomic has whipped all of their butts. I can't wait until the 50 watt arrives, as it's supposed to have even more headroom for clean tones, which is what I need.

Well made, could do with casters and two carrying handles, (heard the new ones have these..also new ones have seperate power and volume) is very basic but well built

Is only limited to your modeller, my podxt sound great..a lot warmer and richer.....have found that is better on casters or of the floor (bass is far better and clearer(may just be my dodgy floor)

Only just bought it so don't know yet

Asked a few questions via email got prompt reply from owner...and usefull replies too

Is great, tried fender deville, twin etc....also own a marshall jtm....and this blows most away

Purchased 2006 october
This amp is design to be an extenstion of your amp modeler and bring it's tone and complexcity to a higher level of sound, making you more confident in using your modeler to play live.
I play classic rock/ blues.... style is really irrelevent... the better question would be what modeler do you use... The Atomic Reactor 112 is built to accomadate a multitude of modelers but mores so the more common ones described on Atomic's web site; V-amp; POD; POD-XT; VOX Tone Lab; and various floor modelers.
I use a V-Amp2 and am very satisfied with my options.. the amp actually warms the sound of any preset... some minor adjustments will be necessary (with any modeler) to fine tune your end result in sound due to modelers are devised to be used as a recording device or used with headphones and computer.. and therefore there is no need for the added room effect reverb etc...
I use this mainly just at home in a very large carpeted room.
Controls are very responsive and every setting comes through clearly exactly as intended.
The Cabinet it good size... large and confident, the construction is good.. very solid.. feels like it could take a beating but at the same time looks so nice that you'll baby it..
DESIGN...I couldn't have thought of a better concept or physical construct. I'm proud to own it..
It's also a lot louder than what you'd expect your getting.. it would easily fill a small bar room with no problem... If you sprung for the Twin they offer you'd be capable of giging small concerts.
For quiet practice or headphone use you do have to remove the DS-1 Docking Unit to be able to plug in your headphones and plug in your original power source... I've drilled a hole the size of a nickel on the side of the dock where the headphone plug is so I can keep the V-amp2 modeler in its docking station, so it can be easily plugged back in...Not a big deal.. if anything it's an adder protective for my modeler.

sound quality is unlimited or limited to your use of modeler.. what ever you have it can handle and more than likely make better..

I use noisless lace neck and middle and a seymour duncan pearly gates at the bridge... accompanied with a mid boost slector switch all on a 2004 fender strat.

I have it owned it long enought to rate this faily but accornding the the warranty it doesn't matter... it's good for up to 5 years...
If you take care of it, atomic will take care of you.

Support is phoniminal!... excellent!! Tom is the man.. he practices traditional Public relations... This man will call you on the phone personally and answer any questions you have and help you with anything you need...
I've had exceptional experience dealing with him

If it were stolen or lost I would replace immediatly with the same or the next larger version...

It has a great look to it... love the retro styling and logo..

I had a VOX15VR amp and it didn't sound a fraction as good or loud as this amp... now having it, it's not even a thought which is better..
I'd put this amp up against much much more expensive amps in the $1500 - $2000 dollar range... IT'S A CLASSIC TUBE AMP!!!!

The amp is very simple which is great... let the modeller do all the work. I do wish that there was a master volume on the amp so I could also use it as a monitor amp when I'm playing acoustic, but that's using the amp not for how it was designed, so I can't complain too much.

I play an Epiphone AlleyKat into a PodXT into the Atomic. My most common modelled amps are the Vox AC30TB, the Fender Blackface, and the Fender Champ ("tiny tweed"). I usually play mid-gain settings (a little distortion but not much) and everything sounds very natural... a friend who plays a real Fender Champ recognized the sound of Champ right away when I was playing that setting.

Now, I don't mean to make it sound like it perfectly recreates the tones--refer to the myriad PodXT reviews to discuss that--but the Atomic does a great job of rendering the sounds generated by the PodXT into a nice warm sounding audible tone. I'm not sure how much is the "tube" sound vs. how much is just good amplifier design, but it works well. The Atomic sounds better to me than the PodXT over headphones.

I can get plenty loud without hearing undesirable distortion from the Atomic, but I also usually mic the amp, because I like the sound from the amp better than direct out of the PodXT.

I've never had a problem with the amp, though I am concerned about how much the modeller gets jostled around. I'd rather see some kind of rubber shock absorbers as part of the modeller insert.

When I first received the amp, the vendor sent me the wrong modeller template (for a Pod instead of a PodXT). Turns out the packaging was labelled wrong. I e-mailed the vendor and Atomic directly and Tom e-mailed me right back and send a new template right away from the factory. Good service there.

However, I've also discovered that--for some reason--the power from the amp is not getting through to the modeller (that is a nice feature to have only one power cable going to the amp). I've done my own checking on it with no solution. I have e-mailed Tom at Atomic about 10 times over the last 10 months for help with zero response. I can find no telephone number for Atomic. I'm stuck with an amp that requires some kind of repair but nowhere to send it and no support from the company and no means of recourse. Terrible service here.

I was very impressed by the early reviews on the Atomic regarding service. The more recent reviews seem to indicate that something has shifted over at Atomic and they've stopped supporting the amp the way they should. My own experience (from good to bad) is consistent with this shift.

I have been playing guitar for 13 years, only picking up the electric in the last 2 years. I play mostly rock (U2 types of sounds) and blues-pop (John Mayer type).

I probably would not buy one again, but only because after a few years of playing around with my PodXT I keep coming back to the AC30 as my "primary" model and I'd just buy one of those. The Atomic has done a great job of helping me sort through my options!

I do, however, intend to keep it for as long as it stays with me.

I hate to say it, though, but as much as I love the sound of this amp I have to recommend against purchasing it if you think you might ever need warranty service or any other kind of support. Atomic's sterling reputation for service seems to have been completely abandoned. It freaks me out that I have no support for this amp right now... at least I don't make my living off music or I'd really need to get something with manufacturer support.

If you are a "tinkerer" or would want to have it serviced at some other shop, though, don't hesitate to get one.

Brilliant! This is the main section I'm sure you lot will be interested in.

I'm using it with a Pod XT and Variax 300 guitar. Had previously been using the same set-up through a vox valvetronix amp which sounded good but this takes it to the next level. Effects sound much richer, the guitar amp sims have more character, smoothness and variety tonally.

The amplifier packs a punch, would easily cope with quite large gigs and if it wasn't loud enough, the places that you would be playing to warrant this amp not being able to cope with the volume demand would definitely have a PA system. It shifts air, a lot of air! Great bass response, really weighty...like being hit by Ricky Hatton (google him if need be ;)

Only criticisms is that is should have 2 handles to make carrying easier and a standy switch would have been handy but these are just minor criticisms.

Apart from that I honestly cannot fault it!

Favorite Features:

PODxt can be mounted in the Amp. Having the PODxt installed in the amp means no carrying, connecting, or breaking down the PODxt, PODxt power supply, or the POD-to-amp cable. This reduces setup time, cleans up the stage area, and eliminates a power supply and cable from the list of items to break.

The ported/tuned cabinet. This cabinet provides a relatively flat response (something your Celestian greenbacks are not designed to do). which means more bass, less mid-range honk.

Not so good features:

The handle is awkward. Picking up the amp by the side is not natural. I would like two handles.

The top of the amp needs more protection for the PODxt. It's too vulnerable to accidents--spills, etc. Of course, the PODxt sitting on top of another amp has the same problems.

Using a PODxt mainly with Fender Twin, Vox AC-30TB, and Plexi 45 models and a Gibson Les Paul this amp is loud and provides a very warm tone. No hiss or buzz.

Note that the amp has more natural distortion than a direct connection to a PA, a solid-state amp, or recording panel. Duh...the Atomic has hot tubes. So you will have to readjust the drive settings on the PODxt if there is too much distortion for your taste.

Don't know yet. I've only had the amp for 1 week.

One problem which I haven't fully resolved--a ground loop. When I connect the Atomic Reactor to a mixer or my Peavey Effect Return there is a 60 Hz/120 Hz buzz. There is no buzz coming from the Atomic, but I am concerned that the Atomic might be the cause of the loop. But I'm not an electrician. As noted below, Mr. King is helping me resolve this problem, but note the buzz is not bad for live work, but if recording I'm either going to run direct from the PODxt or mic the Atomic.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! I emailed a question to the company and the president of Atomic Amps, Tom King, called me, twice. He worked with me for 15 minutes to resolve my ground loop problem, making suggestions and soliciting my thoughts on how to improve the amp in future models. He asked that I keep in contact to let him know how the amp worked out for me.

In 35 years of playing and buying gear, I've never had such support. Does Fender, Marshall, Gibson, Vox, or anyone else do that?

I would not go back to using a Peavey Classic/Celestion 1x12 (which I used for probably 100+ gigs with a POD). Nor would I go direct to the PA (always a frustrating experience). The Atomic is fuller sounding and just right for my style. I use Les Paul, Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Line 6 MM4. Mic the cabinet running into the PA back into 2 monitor sends. Have been studio guitarist, assistant jazz director at local university (I have a composition degree), played bars and proms to pay for college. Became a Christian, became tired of playing bars, began playing rockin churches, state/national fair, festivals.

I look forward to working with Atomic Amps--there's nothing like it.

you know the feature by now !

i brought the atomic reactor on the strenghts of the reviews posted here , and also because Guitarist magazine (UK) gave it their highest rating 5 star gold award .
the first unit i had was faulty - it made the modeller sound like you had placed a wah in front of it - cocked all the way back - and then after 10 minutes of use it cut out and refused to work again .
the second unit sounded and performed much better , but i do not think that this amp is the answer to the great digital/tube debate .
i use a Vox Tonelab SE - which is easily the best and most authentic sounding modeller available ( ive owned em all ) .
i use mainly the high gain models , and recorded direct and also for practice through a simple hi-fi amp , this unit sounds frighteningly like a real marshall amp .
however , these sounds do not translate well at all through the atomic ( which may of course be the fault of the Vox tonelab ) .
i extensively tested these models thru the atomic at high volume and the result , especially when compared directly to a real marshall tube amp - which i did - at the same volume with the same guitars, was very dissapointing .
little prescence or punch available - just an annoying "rattling and fizzing" sound underlying the tones . sounded pretty bad .
very "boxy" sound - not at all clear and noisy too .
i'm not saying that the amp itself is inherently bad - its just not suited to the high gain models of the tonelab .
it certainly sounds better than plugging a modeller into a guitar amp , and for that reason i'll give it a 5 .

see above - not a good start for a reliability rating !

emailed atomic and never had a reply .

been playing for 25 years and have lots of guitars and lots of gear , all of which i know like the back of my hand .
i rarely put pen to paper and write reviews because equipment and tone are such subjective things that most gear reviews are pretty pointless beyond build quality and reliability issues anyway .
but given the almost exclusively glowing reviews across the net for this amp , i felt that i had to chip in my two pennies worth .
my problem with this amp is not because i hooked it up wrong or dont know how to tweak my gear for the best available sounds (which i'm sure to be accused of by later reviewers ) .
and of course , as i said before , the shortcomings may indeed be related to the tonelab rather than the atomic .
but i do know that the tonelab is an awesome piece of gear and sounds wonderful when recorded direct and even at high volumes through a regular hi-fi amp with a pair of tannoy speakers .
so why does it sound so bad thru the atomic ?
my conclusion has to be that the atomic is the weak link in this particular setup .
also , i am referring exclusively to the marshall and mesa models here - i did not test the atomic with any other amp models from the tonelab ( im a rocker , right ?!? ) .
i'm sorry if youre reading this and it isnt what you want to hear - but if you play the high gain models and hope that this amp will make your modeller sound as good as it does thru your headphones , but louder - forget it .
it wont .
go buy a real marshall and keep your modeller for practice and recording .

Very straight forward. The online manual has enough information to make it easy to use.

When it worked, it was a bit more "hummy" that I would have expected.

I had it in my house for about 4 months. Here is where it gets ugly. I had the opportunity to use it for about a half dozen times in my living romm. Never had the occasion to take it to jam, or gig with it.

It failed to power on the last time it was used. No sign of a blown fuse, or adverse smell- any of the tell-tale signs of a problem. It just stopped powering on. Never had the opportunity to see anything but my living room environment.

I had been in contact with Tom via phone and email, and though tI was going to receive a replacement chassis. I have since attempted to contact the company and Tom via phone and email. Totalling about 20 attempts at contact so for. No reply, no replacement unit.

Thus far, the dead chassis has been sitting on my desk for about a month now. No returned calls or emails. No replacement unit. Nothing.

I would call this extremely substandard service. I am forgiving to a point, but 30 days have passed since I have last heard from them, and no resolution has been reached, or even been set in motion.

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years. I own a myriad of other gear, mostly boutique / high end stuff ( original AC 30, Marshall 1974X, Mesa maverick, Mesa Mark 1 reissue, 9 guitars of differing makes, also nice stuff.

If this were stolen, I would want to thank whoever took it,then collect it as a loss on my homeowners insurance. I would never consider recommending this to anyone else after this experience.

Made in 2005. Too few to mention - that's the point! I'd like a standby switch - even though turning down the volume on my Pod has the same result. I'd also like a headphone socket, too.

Negatives: The vinyl covering marks easily - not really tough enough for a gigging amp, I'd suggest. The cloth grill covering the speaker is not tight enough and slightly misaligned. The plug-in cartridge that my Pod sits in isn't a good fit into the cabinet, either, although all the connections work fine. There is only one handle on the side. I'd like to see one on each side, possibly recessed (like 4x12 cabinets are) to make it easier to move around.

So, in summary, this was built in China down to a price and looks like it. Not a complaint, coz it isn't expensive, just a comment.

Positives: Does what it says it should do very well indeed. I'm very happy with it so far (3 months in)- just slightly worried about how reliable it will be after a year or so of being moved around a lot for gigs, rehearsals, etc.

Playing with a hard-hitting drummer packing just 18W means I'm very close to using full volume a lot of the time - but that's OK - we play small venues that don't require the drums to be miked up, so I can still be heard at the back of the room. If that changed, I'd probably just slave into the PA. Maybe I'll buy another amp for a stereo setup!

Does a great job of amplifying the Pod. Doesn't seem to colour the sound too much. An earlier post was critical of the sounds they got out of it compared to their Pod on headphones - I'm not. I think they might have had a product fault somewhere. I have found that the amplified sounds don't quite match up with the straight Pod sounds through headphones, but that's understandable - comparing headphone speakers in a controlled environment (your head) with a live room sound through the amplifier speaker setup is not comparing like with like. I've always been able to get good sounds out of it - just not with quite the same settings as the Pod through headphones. Experiment! I get great results continuing to use the Pods 'AIR' settings (emulating speakers/rooms). Also, the speaker is VERY directional. The sound you hear 'off axis' is nothing like as bright as the sound you get in front of the cone.

It's the Pod that scores here, not the amp, but so what?

I've got some long term concerns about build quality, but so far 100% reliable.

I emailed the company to find out who the UK dealers were. They replied within 24 hours. That's fine by me.

Been playing for far too many years. I've owned all sorts of amps and guitars, but this is now my only 'giggable' amp. I need the Pod for the various tones we use in the band, and this is the only solution that has worked. Using really good 'one tone' amps to amplify the Pod didn't work - you get too much of their own sound colouring yours.

All you need, loud enough. mic it if you want more

exellent with the metal grind to neo classical. previous reviewer musnt have known how to set up the POD XT with metal. This amp allows me to now hear these models as they were meant to be, loud clear and fulley tubesweet!.

havent needed it

havent needed it

Feature wise, this amp is as basic as you can get. There is a single input and an off-on switch. The tubes are clearly visible through small grated surrounding the power amp and there is a fan for cooling. There is an effects loop and line out for connection to another amplifier for stereo-amp applications.

Using a PodXT and POD 2.0 with a 2002 Gibson Les Paul yielded nearly unusable tone for any amp model featuring distortion. There was virtually no high end and none of the closed cabinet thump that most other users have reported. The sound was akin to having a vox wah in the heel-back position. Switching the CAB models to off made the sound levels drop with less bass and a little more treble. Switching off the CAB emulation (on the POD) usually results in huge tonal changes through headphones, PA's, and power amps fed into speaker cabs but no so when plugged into this Atomic amp. Playing chords above the 12th fret resulted in an indistingishable mush in which appegiated notes completely disappeared when the other strings were allowed to ring. When using clean tones, the sound was acceptable though lifeless with very little difference noticed between even the polar extremes of the Roland and Match models. My experience was so drastically different that most of the review here that I feel I must have purchased a defective unit.

Receiving what I believe to be a defective product as new results in a very low reliability rating.

I emailed the company through their website (before I purchased the amp) and never received a reply to my questions. Perhaps they simply don't communicate with people that are not yet customers. Atomic amps also has a very small distribution network that, for some reason, is not aligned with authorized Line 6 distributors. This is a very basic flaw in their business model. Also, calls to authorized Atomic Amp distributors in Washington state reaveled that there was only one unit in the entire region. One store, listed as an authorized distributor, had never heard of of an Atomic Reactor amp. I did not attempt to have the amp repaired as there were no remaining units in the store to use as a loaner.

I purchased this amp based, in part, on the excellent reviews here at Harmony-Central. The descriptions led me to believe that this amp would fit my needs perfectly as an in-home practice amp and as a suitably portable amp for band practice. I don't need roof-raising volume, just the great tones offered by the PODs to be amplified to moderate levels. I have to say that construction quality appeared to very good to excellent with two exceptions. The vinyl covering was starting to draw away from the amp structure on the seems between the back panel and the side of the amp. Also, the front grill cloth was a bit loose and almost floppy. I could not audition this amp in the store as they are (ironically) not a Line 6 dealer. I had to wait until I brought the amp home to test the product. I spent several days of troubleshooting with the hopes that the amp was not at the root of the tone problems. In the end, the only culprit for the very poor tone was the amp itelf. I returned the Atomic amp to the authorized distributor (from whom I had made the purchase) shortly thereafter. My overall score is based on the high quality of contruction with the very poor tonal characteristics of this unit.

Purchased new in November 2005 from Musictoyz.com in an attempt to find a live solution for my PODxt. The amp is very straight forward and basic...all the features come from the modeler. Been playing it for a month and no additional features needed thus far except maybe access to the headphone jack. I might get an amp stand or Ampwedge but don't really feel a need right now. I mainly play at home and haven't had a jam session with it so I can't comment on how it sounds with a drummer and bass but it is as loud or louder than my Peavey Bandit 112. It is a very loud 18 watts. Being a slave amp it does what it is supposed to but the modeler drives it so I'm not sure how to rate this category.

I am playing a Music Man John Petrucci 6 string w/ piezo and play a wide variety of music styles leaning more towards progressive and metal. At first I was blown away by the clean and semi-dirty tones and effects. The tubes really brought to life a lot of the pre-sets that only sounded great thru headphones. But I found the high gain models to be a little sterile. I started to doubt this was the solution when I couldn't dial in a rhythm tone that really did justice to heavy high gain riffing. I kept researching what others were doing and I finally discovered that the tones I wanted were in there...I just had to keep tweaking. Combine every amp model with every cabinet model and mic model and eventually you will find it. I finally dialed in a heavy rhythm and separate lead tone that just sounds awesome. You have to back off the bass some as the amp has a really low end thump and reduce the AIR simulation for a tighter sound. Sounds great when palm muting and gives you a nice chunk to your riff. Now I have it all...beautiful clean piezo to soaring high gain leads. Beautiful.

The amp is built very solid and once your modeler is docked it is locked and ready to go. The look is very clean and classic. I don't know how difficult it will be to replace the tubes but I will let the music store who does my guitar set up help me with that the first go round. I've only had it a month but it seems very dependable. I'm not currently gigging but I would like a second to run in stereo and to have a back up if one goes down.

Never dealt with the company but I have read nothing but good things about their customer service. Hopefully that holds up as Atomic grows. Warranty is for 5 years.

I have been playing 20 years and in addition to my Music Man I own a Yamaha RGX electric, a Yamaha acoustic electric, Peavey Bandit 112 (for sale). I have been a fan of Line 6 and my PODxt has been great for playing at home but now with the Atomic I can open it up live. I would definitely replace the Atomic if something happened to it. I love how good the pod sounds thru it and at bedroom levels it sounds wonderful but it has the ability to really crank out the volume as well. This is a great setup for $500 (if you have a modeler) and I wasn't interested in spending over a grand for a combo to get the tones I can get with this. For now, this is really the best of both worlds.

Everything mentioned before. Equipped with EL-84 from JJ.
As mentioned by someone else before, handles on both sides would be extremely helpful when moving it around a lot.
No possibilityto connect a headphone to the PodXT (see below).

Just plain brilliant. i have a PodXT, an Epi LP with Gobson PUs, a strat, a Variax.
No matter which model you use, the reactor makes it just so much more that model. For instance when using the JCM800 model, the reactor makes it feel like you get the crunch from the power amp of exactly the real amp.
When using a VOX-model, the reactor makes ist just so much more "spongy" and jumping out of the box.
The best feel is when the PodXT-master is between 9 and 1o'clock. In between those two points it just grabs you with a very direct sound. Below it does (as any amp) not really move the air and above, the output tubes start overdriving. The latter is something very smooth and loveable though.

At the very start, some high-gain models (like the soldano) were giving an odd feedback when turned up. No normal feedback from speaker to pickup, something let's call it "internal vibrations". After some trying I figured out that it is only present when i use the reactor's input that is routed to the PodXT's input. What I did then is to install a socket on the template (that is just the "cover-plate" fitting to the modeler) that I connected to the PodXT-input. So now I am not using the reactor's input but go almost directly into the modeler. That compeletely solved all skeack-problems.

I did the same thing then for the headphones by installing a stereo-socket into the left lower corner of the template and connecting a stereo-plug that goes into the Pod's headphone-socket.

And now I have the best soundmachine possible!! And its very portable! For live-use I mic it with a Shure S-57 and get the same brilliant tones via the PA.

Only thing that bugs me here is that the JJ-tubes rattle whenever I play something on the lower strings. Getting to the tubes is a bit of fiddling-work, and bias needs to be readjusted. Never mind, the vent is very quiet.
Design looks reliable, nothing that will (at least obvioulsy) fall apart soon.

As others described before: You sent an email to info@atomicamps.com and no matter what time of year, I always had an answer in less than 24h. Brilliant!

Been playing 20years, had all sorts of equipment and for the serious gigging musician (wihout own roadie) this is the all-in-one no worries package. Complete setup set up and torn down within 10 minutes. No more last second troubleshooting (all you have is guitar, floorboard and amp), and if you are tired of the JCM800 one day you just go for the JCM900.
Even without it getting stolen I will buy y second one for stereo use.

Doesn't really need any. It does the job it's meant too.

I didn't get the all important manual. But cust. service fixed this.

Maybe a standyby; and i agree; a headphone socket. (You can use the pod etc.; but then you need to pull it all out.)
I would also suggest a couple of handles at each end in the top. The single handle at the 'end' mkes it awkward to get in and out of a car etc. (as you don't transport it on its end) and I feel a little uneasy that the pod could fall out when I'm carryi g it.

Great. Now that I know how to use it.

Same story as you've heard before. A phone call from Tom King (and I'm in Australia) within the hour to clarify my problem. The fact that I didn't get the 18 page manual meant I hadn't set the pod (not the amp) to direct studio mode. This meant it still sounded tinny and weak; nothing like the one in the shop.

Now that the problem is sorted, its great. But I am a little frustrated that I've had it for 3 months literally not using it as it sounded so bad. The shop didn't have a manual for me (didn't know to ask for one; and they have since said they don't get them) and didn't know enough about the product to fix the problem for me - even over the phone as Tom was able to.

Does exactly what I wanted it too....... warm up a digital modeller. A little pricey; considering you have to buy a pod (aud $600) and shortboard (Also 600) You can buy a 'real' fender valve combo for 2/3 of all this.

But now that i have fixed the problems; I am happy with it. I just feel it owes me 3 months - then I'll get my monies worth.

With the uprise of Amp modelers, Musicians like myself would get these amazing authentic tones while recording to the board- but was unable to duplicate the tones through an amplifier because amps have thier own coloration; so this would leave the modelers sounding terrible- I tried everything to give me the true sound and nothing could deliver- Until Atomic Amp entered the scene!
The Atomic Reactor is a tube driven power amp in an enclosed 1 X 12 cabinet. It has a cut out that is termed a Docking station- which houses the popular modelers out there. It is very solid, with black tolex and a checker board grill cloth. An effect loop with a line out

I use a variety of guitars, Mainly Gibson Les Pauls
The Atomic is the only amp that can deliver the tones that I have coming from my Pod XT.
The amp delivers the tones as true as they can be- Clean, distorted- it is all great- there is no amp coloration- well I can't actually say there is no coloration- it is a closed cabinet and tube driven- so it doesn't color, it enhances

I have had no problems as of yet

If the amp alone isn't a selling point- the Customer service is- I had a few typical questions when I first got the amp, and I emailed them. The same day I had answers- by not a tech but by Tom King the president of Atomic amps! I had another question just yesterday, and not only did I get a quick response- Tom called me on the phone to answer my questions- You do not get customer support like that anymore- Awesome!

I have been playing music for twenty some years, and I can not rave enough about this creation! I own several amps (Marshall, Fenders, Peavey's...) and since I got this amp, I have a wall full of amps that serve as decorations, because they are not being used! If it were stolen I would definately go out and buy another one- I am saving now to buy a second one! Anybody that has discovered the true tones of Amp modelers, but are frustrated because thier Pod, Vamp... Just doesn't sound good running through your marshall or whichever amp you use- You have to check this thing out! It is the solution- Period!

Brand new. Use it with my PodXT. Features have been described in detail before. One thing that is missing is a headphone-out that you connect to the headphone-out of the XT.
And maybe a standby-switch?

I play in a rather rocky bluesband with my Epi LesPaul Custom with Gibson T-490 and 498.
The sounds themselves are just anbelievable round and warm at any vole from zero to three quarters. For sounds alone I would give a 20 out of 10 if there weren't two negative effects:
- the tubes rattle quite loud whenever I play a note around D, regardless of the amp type and at virtually any volume. That should be fixable with higher quality tubes though.
- the other issue is more complex: I realised that when connected to the Atomic, my Pod gave a horrible feedback-like sound at higher volumes, even if I was just using the XT via headphones. That means when the Atomic is turned off, the XT gets power from the normal XT-power supply, but all the connections are to the Atomic are made, that horrible squeaky-sound is there, even via headphones. When amplified via the Atomic, that sound was also there and made it kind of unusable. I first experimented with the input-cable and then figured that if I use the input of the XT directly (instead of taking the "detour" through the atomic), there is no more squak at all. So I drilled a whole for a socket into the XT template, connected the socket to the inputof the XT and now everything is just so wonderful!!! And I did the same by the way to create a socket for the headphones.

I mainly use the P-Ball model for the rough sounds and the Vox AC-30 model for the clean sounds. And as mentioned before, apart from the rattling tubes it is just heavenly, superb, wonderful!

If you don't mess with the connectors between the XT-holder and the chassis too often there is not much that can break. Changing tubes will be a pain though, because you need to disconnect six electic connections, and take out the chassis, which is a bit fiddly. Build quality seems ok though.

I sent an email to atomic and had the answer one day later - brilliant, I hope it will stay like this as the company grows!

Been playing for 20years. Will use the atomic as stage monitor for me and go from the right channel into the PA for the big noise.
The charming thing of this setup is that it is soooo easy. Gitar, cable, atomic, floorboard. Very quick to set up and tear down.

As somebody wrote earlier: "It just makes your PodXT come alive"

This is a 1x12 Tube combo amp originally made for running a Line6 PODxt, or Vox Tonelab through. Basically it has a docking bay that the modelers just plug into. The nice thing about it though is.. that it not only works as a guitar amp, but it works nicely as a small scale bass amp as well. The Line6 Bass PODxt fits just like the guitar version, just plug it into a separate docking bay and you now have a convertable amp capable of playing out bass lines for days, or swap back and now your playing guitar rifs. :)

The amp itself is 18 watts of tube power, basiclly like having a 50-60 watt amp sound wise. It's closed back, so its very thumpy, and tones come out very clear and crisp.. miles of tone here.

At this juncture, I've only used a custom Carvin LB20 with passive pickups.. but.. whoa..its just so sweet. The PODxt is capable of dialing in pretty much any tone you want, the Atomic Reactor just makes it big and fat and thumpy.. :)

Granted, this is not a big honkin amp stack, so its not going to blow out a huge room, but if your venue is small, like a jazz club, a church, or coffee bar .. or even recording studio where your mic'ing the cab.. this is the amp for you. Also, you don't need a Pod for this to work.. if your using another Pre.. it will work, just stack it on top. A nice tube pre like the Presonus TubePre sounds really nice through this amp.

I've had this amp cab for about 4 months of live shows and dragging it around, it works. The amp cab is a little big for the available tote cases so its gotten a little dinged up but that doesn't affect the sound at all.

Tom King the CEO of Atomic called my house to discuss the migration to the Bass Pod.. how much better can Customer Support be?? The Atomic Reactor is a little hard to find because the big boys out there tend to burry it, but if you search the net you can find a vendor. Let me say that the search will be worth it.

Overall, this is an awesome combo amp. The ability to swap between guitar and bass saves me a tone of space as it gets rid of the need for an amp rig for each instrument. Basically if your a giging or recording musician and you want a reliable rig .. this is the way to go. If you need a big stack.. ?? get more of them as you can gang them.
You simply can't beat the tone and flexability for the price!

Killer amp to use with a pod or pod xt or tonelab-if you have the pod or tonelab without the footswitches, you plug it right in to the amp (and it's appropriate template) and you don't need ANY extra cables or power supplies! Who could ask for more? In addition, it has two line outs to feed the PA and a second atomic for stereo routing.

The Amp sounds fabulous with all of the modelers-even the old pod, in my opinion. The best part is that the atomic provides you with that power soak which breaks up your clean channel sound slightly when you push it-just like a vintage tube amp.

Amp looks to be very sturdy, and the tubes are safely positioned so that you cant knock or shake them if you tried!

Here's why im writing this article-TOM KING WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY with his amplifier. When I first inquired about the atomic, I sent an email to the company and received a phone call from him 5 minutes later. We spoke for an hour about the unit, and how it would be used with my assorted preamps. Later, when I realized that I needed a slightly louder amp to fill larger venues, Tom responded immediately and we spoke about several options, INCLUDING ONE IN WHICH HE DROVE TO MY HOUSE TO TRY OUT! Thanks to Tom, we worked out the situation. You couldn't possibly find a company with more devotion to their product.

I've been playing 13 years, and have a ton of gear and amp modellers. No amp makes those units (Pod, etc.) sound as good as this one does. Unless you need one sole amp to play an entire stadium, this amp's your ticket. THANKS TOM!

2005 Atomic Reactor, 112 combo. As you know, a slave amp for an amp modeler. Ergo, not many features... However, dual outs for stereo!

Rocks, Rocks, Rocks! If you are a Podpeople, then you NEED one of these. They are AWESOME. Makes the modeler warm, round, tube-ish.

I love my PODxt and usually played through powered speakers or headphones -- but I have been aching for the POD through an amp, with the round, warm tones of the analog world. The Atomic Reactor achieved the goal, in spades. Brings the modelor to life. Lots of bass. Nice and loud, sounds like a 30 watt tube amp. It is, literally, as versatile as the modeler used.

Build really, really well. Sexy.

This is what I have been wanting from the first day I bought my PODxt. I stumbled onto this amp in a little music store in Oregon and went to this site and started the research. Everything I have read has been positive, and for good reason. This slave tube amp takes your digital sound and gives it the warm, tube sound that you want, while keeping true to the reporduced amp from the modelor. And they make it so that no matter how the modelers evolve, you can upgrade and still use the Reactor with it. Loud, mean, $500. Schweet.

-Basically an 18 watt combo that sounds a heck of a lot more like a 50 beast!
-Closed back cabinet!!!! This is what I wanted most. I hate the mid sound that an open back combo makes.
-tube power amp section. A huge plus when using any modeller.
-cooling fan for tubes - great idea and well placed in the amp itself.
-easy to install your favorite modeller with adapter plates.
-multiple uses and an very unique concept.

Well....it's taken me this long to find my sonic heaven. I've found it. Recently I purchased a Valvetronix AD120 VTX. While an excellent modelling amp in it's own right, I found it to be cheaply built with extraordinarily cheap parts in it. I developed a volume drop problem that wasn't easily duplicated....you know the story, you take it back to the dealer, problem doesn't happen, etc. Well, this time it did and they gave me the option of a refund or credit. I took a look around the store and tried several tube amps. I was previously turned off by the Line 6 stuff due to the awful sound that my HD147 was putting out pre-Vox purchase. I stayed away from anything Line 6. However, my search went on.

I tried one of the new Krank amps. High gain, my arse. No where near the hype created from their advertisement. Triple Recto...very nice....way too many tubes for maintenance and I didn't want the weight of carrying a cabinet around with me. Marshall....nothing even remotely worth considering at this time.

Then...I saw this little Atomic 112. I looked again at it with much curiousity. I didn't realize my dealer was carrying them. I had seen them in various publications but hadn't heard it. So, I took a chance and tried it out with something I was familiar with, a Vox Tonelab. A decent modeller but limited. Still, I was literally blown away by the amount of clarity and bottom end that this amp transmitted from a modelling setup.

So, I ended up taking home the Atomic and a brand new Podxt. I liked many of the heavier tones on the Pod a bit more as well as the cabinet modelling and the USB connection for my computer. It works flawlessly and perfectly.

I hooked everything up and YUCK....sounded like crap. What the? So....this was a case when one should actually READ the modeller manual. I checked the output settings and sure enough I had set it to an improper parameter. I switched it and whamo....back to heaven.

I can't say enough about this little amp. I'm going to be having a lot of fun with it discovering new sounds and enjoying the warmth it produces! I'm still having a hard time believing it is only 18 watts but again, 18 tube watts is a lot more than 18 solid state watts.

I'm very happy with this purchase. While nothing is perfect, it does deserve a full 9!

This is much to early to tell so I'll keep this rating at no opinion. The amp seems to be constructed very well with metal corners and rubber and metal bumps on the bottom and sides of the amp.

Again, no comment here as I haven't had to use it. Warranty is 5 years (less tubes) which seems very solid.

Overall this is a very unique product which will allow you to update or change modellers as technology changes. A great idea, indeed. With the popularity of the POD product, it's doubtful Line 6 would change the overall shape of it. Now, with their updates online, it seems they'll be offering flashes for a fee at some point, which is reasonable.

The main thing about this amp is the sound you get out of your modeller. Warm, clear and very authentic.....I've always had a problem with Line 6 amps due to the fact that on a heavier setting when you crank the bass, the amp farts. With the Atomic into the chain, the problem is gone for good. I'm set for a long time!