Introduction: After thirty years of repairing, modifying and rebuilding amplifiers, I have seen literally thousands of circuits and topologies that I simply didn’t like. The reason I didn’t like them is that they introduced unnecessary compromises in reliability, serviceability or in sound quality… sometimes all three!  When I began the Jupiter Project, I decided this amplifier would contain no such compromises and it would therefore be the amp I love!

Applications:
High-End Audio Systems, Extreme Home Cinema, Studio Control-Room Monitoring, Professional Cinema.

Physical Configuration:
Jupiter is built as two monoblock modules which share only the chassis, control system and mains connection.  Each monoblock module is constructed on a massive heatsink and may be completely removed / replaced using a hex key and a flat-blade screwdriver.  This allows Jupiter to be repaired on a next-day-turnaround basis by any authorised dealer.

Jupiter stands on 4 stainless steel, self-levelling and adjustable feet with replaceable rubber pads.  The feet are fixed into four solid internal pillars which run from top to bottom with M8 stainless steel bolts.  This means that Jupiter amps can be stacked on top of each other (up to 6 high) to create high powered arrays. The feet may also be removed (using a 13mm open-end spanner) and substituted, if desired, with any accessory spikes which use the common M8 thread (such as Soundcare Superspikes). A spare M8 threaded hole is also provided mid-chassis to allow tri-point footing, if preferred.

Electrical Configuration:
Audio input is received by a true differential balanced-line stage.  A low-noise, high precision, bipolar error amp feeds a complimentary differential gain stage which provides voltage drive to the output stage.  The output stage uses hand-selected super-matched quartets of LAPTs which form a complimentary pair of compound supertransistors with very high current gain.  A short, fast global feedback loop sets the system gain and provides extremely low output impedance.  A massive high-current power supply stage driven by 3 toroidal transformers provides floating single-ended supplies (11 in total) for each stage.  Onboard diagnostic circuitry ensures safety and stability.

Inputs:
Line-level inputs: Gold-plated RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced) connectors.

Outputs:
8 x high-current, gold-plated, insulated binding posts with banana sockets.  These binding posts are interchangeable with any M9-size third-party type which allows high grade terminals (such as WBT) to be easily fitted as an option.  Speaker switching is handled by 4 high-power relays (2 per channel) which immediately isolate the speakers in the event of a fault condition.  Although the output configuration is bi-wire by default, the speaker relays may also be controlled independently to provide A / B system selection if required.

Controls:

Power is controlled by a front-panel switch and/or by trigger input.

Mute is controlled by rear-panel switch or by trigger input.

Inputs are selected by rear-panel switch or by trigger input.

Speakers A are selected by rear-panel switch or by trigger input.

Speakers B are selected by rear-panel switch or by trigger input.

A standard DB-9 connector on the rear panel provides easy access to the trigger inputs.  Pinouts and levels are as follows:-

Note 1: When trigger inputs are not used, the rear panel switches control their respective functions.  When the trigger inputs are used, each rear panel switch will set its respective input’s default state and logical sense as follows:-

Note 2: Pin 1 is an edge-detecting input.  When the amp is off, the rising edge of the +12V trigger will switch the amp on. When the amp is on, the falling edge of the +12V trigger will switch the amp off.  A falling edge will not result in any change if the amp was already switched off and vice versa.  The power switch on the front panel can override the trigger input in either state.

Protection:
Jupiter incorporates several levels of protection to prevent any internal or external fault condition from causing damage to either the amp or other connected equipment.  These protection circuits are unique as they have been specifically designed to ensure the safety of Jupiter without sonic compromise.  Jupiter’s protection is summarised as follows:-

Soft Start…
Prevents large in-rush currents tripping circuit breakers when switched on from cold.

De-thump…
Prevents any noises resulting from power up/down being heard through the speakers.

Thermal Overload…
Detects when the output devices have reached their upper thermal limit.

Signal Overload…
Detects distortion resulting from the amp being pushed beyond its upper power limit.

Direct Current…
Immediately isolates the speakers if any destructive DC voltage is detected.

SOAR Protection…
Seperately monitors the dissipation in each output device without throttling transients.

Specifications:

Configuration:	Single Chassis, Twin Mono, Solid State, Bipolar
Output Power:	400 Watts RMS Continuous per channel @ 4 Ohms
Inputs:	Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA, switchable
Construction:	High rigidity, stackable, load-bearing 'H-form' chassis with stainless steel, self-levelling, adjustable glides.
Dimensions:	482mm (W) x 178mm (H) x 360mm (D)
Weight:	45Kg
Protection:	Soft-start, de-thump, thermal overload, signal overload, direct current, over dissipation (SOAR) Protection, speaker protection.
Warranty:	5 years, full parts and labour
Input Voltage:	240Vac (110Vac available on special order)
Compliance:	ACA C-Tick Level 2
Colour Options:	Arctic Silver, Black, Champagne Gold, Signature Blue
Availability:	60 days A.R.O
Price:	AUD$6600.00