JANUS PREAMPLIFIER

Janus is a full-function all-tube preamplifier with six line level inputs and one phono input. Janus represents the key features of Rhea phono stage and Calypso linestage combined into a single chassis. All tube amplification and output, a fully balanced linestage, discrete switched resistor volume control, versatile single-ended and balanced inputs and outputs, and dual-mono audio boards are all part of Janus. The full function remote controls all preamp and phono functions, including gain, loading, absolute phase and the internal demagnetizer. True to its Saturn Series heritage, the build and sound quality of Janus have won it global praise, including 2010 and 2011 TAS Editor's Choice Awards.

• Fully balanced differential line-level circuitry with ability to internally balance a single ended input signal.
• RCA and XLR provided for each input.
• Discrete resistor volume control with 88 1dB steps.
• Zero feedback.
• Phono input: 40-75dB gain maximum, selectable via front panel or remote control.
• Built-in MC cartridge demagnetizer.
• 9 MC loading settings: 75-47,000 ohms, selectable via front panel or remote control.
• All tube amplification and output (12 tubes total).
• Two sets of XLR and two sets of RCA outputs per channel.
• Bypass mode for home theatre processor throughput.
• Absolute phase, selectable via front panel or remote control.
• Full function remote included.
• Available in black or silver faceplate.

Janus is available in three versions: Standard, Signature and Eclipse.

The standard version uses high-grade Rel-Cap polypropylene coupling capacitors. The Signature version uses exotic and expensive coupling capacitors and other critical parts to bring the performance to a higher level.

All versions of Janus can be factory upgraded to Signature.

JANUS SIGNATURE

The Signature version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the gain stage and output stage (2 per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air. The 2uF output coupling capacitors (4 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain.

For the phono section, the Signature Version uses custom-made inter-stage Teflon hybrid coupling capacitors, replacing the polypropylene units, between the 2nd and 3rd gain stages(2 total per channel). The change in these capacitors results in higher resolution, extension, less grain and more air.

The 2uF output coupling capacitors that drive the line section (2 per channel) are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps. This change provides more drive, bass extension, resolution and dynamics while also reducing grain.

Highly specialized adjustable air-core capacitors, used primarily in the radio-frequency realm, are installed and adjusted to "tweek" each unit to a rigid standard.

The five rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems' Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix (Earlier Signature Saturn pieces did not incorporate this, please contact Aesthetix for this free upgrade if you have an earlier Signature piece without the Nimbus Couplers). This change results in a lower noise floor and more air and space.

The cost of these specialized parts alone is about 1/4 the manufacturing cost of a brand new unit! Any tubes that can be bettered by our special stock of graded and matched tubes are replaced. Any other improvements needed to make the unit current are installed, including software updates, etc.

A new lens with "SIGNATURE" stenciled is installed. Each Signature unit undergoes rigorous test procedures and listening.

NEW JANUS ECLIPSE

First phase: Internal changes to the Janus start with .22uF / 600v Stealth coupling capacitors used between the second and third gain stages, and the third gain stage and output stage of the phono section. Two more are used between the gain stage and output stage of the line section, per channel. Twelve total of these exotic capacitors are used.

There are four 2uF / 400v coupling capacitors used in each channel of the output stage of the Janus. In the Eclipse version, these are replaced with Stealth copper foil 4uF/400v, improving low frequency response.

Second phase: High frequency tuning capacitors are installed and hand-adjusted to tailor the frequency response to a tight .1dB standard (as also found on our Signature version).

Third phase: The high voltage transformer, heater transformer and high voltage choke are all re-installed on isolation mounts. Harmonic Resolutions Systems' Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix replace the four rubber feet of standard units (as also found on our Signature version). The new power supply is installed with enhanced ventilation. Additional damping material is added to key chassis points.

Fourth phase: A single point ground system is used to ground the transformer cases as they are no longer electrically grounded to the chassis via physical contact due to their isolation mounts. All Eclipse Rhea, Calypso and Janus units receive a new power supply, which has been refined by improved trace routing to further reduce extraneous noise.

JANUS REVIEWS & ACCOLADES

(You) have lucked out and discovered just about the only really high-end, high-powered, genuinely versatile two-box vacuum-tube amplification option out there -- the Aesthetix Janus Signature and Atlas Signature." - Roy Gregory, TheAudioBeat.com (UK, September 2014) read review

...a model of refined grace and expressively quick but unexaggerated dynamics." - Roy Gregory, HiFi+ (UK, February 2014) read review

Speed and detail... highs without a glint of shrillness... low noise floor... hours of glorious, fatigue-free listening." The Absolute Sound High-End Audio Buyers Guide (Spring 2013, JANUS and CALYPSO SIGNATURE)

The Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award (2010-2011, JANUS and JANUS SIGNATURE preamplifier)

...inserted the Janus Signature. What I heard then was nothing short of a transformation." -Alan Taffel, The Absolute Sound (2009, JANUS SIGNATURE preamplifier)

Please email us your regular mailing address to receive a hard copy reprint of TAS Issue 196 that includes Alan Taffel's review of Janus and an interview with Jim White.

JANUS SPECIFICATIONS

Inputs: 1 phono RCA (SE), 5 line RCA or XLR (balanced), plus 1 tape, RCA or XLR
Outputs: 2 RCA (SE) and XLR (balanced), 1 tape RCA
Phono gain settings: 8 total; 75, 68, 62, 56, 50, 44, 38 dB, and off
Phono load settings: 9 total; 47 K ohms, 10K, 5K, 2.5K, 1K, 500 ohms, 250, 125, and 75 ohms
Line level gain: 23 dB single ended (SE), in/out, and 29 dB balanced/out
Volume control: switched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps
Front panel controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, bypass and standby
Remote controls: main input, tape input select, volume, balance, phase, mute, display, phono gain and loading, demagnetizer, bypass and standby
Frequency response: +- 0.25 dB, 20 Hz - 20 Khz
Signal to noise: measured at 70 dB minimum A-weighted (ref 1 mv input, 75 dB gain setting)
Line input impedence: 40 k ohms SE, 80 k ohms balanced
Maximum line input: 3.5 volts SE, 7.0 volts RMS balanced
Output impedence: 1K ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced
Recommended load: 10K ohms or greater (SE), 20K ohms or greater (Balanced)
Tubes, each channel: phono section: V1 & V2 (12AX7-factory graded low noise), V3 (12AX7), V4 (6922/6DJ8); line section: V1 (12AX7 or equivalent), V2 (6922/6DJ8)
Power consumption: 20 watts standby, 120 watts active
Physical dimensions: 4 3/8" high, 17 7/8" wide, 18" deep including jacks
Shipping weight: 40 lbs.

Specifications subject to improvement or change without notice.

JANUS TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS

Janus Owner's Manual
Janus Tube Placement Janus Internal Gain Adjustment