Luxman M-03
(1985 - 1994+)

True bestseller. Not necessarily because it was that good but because Luxman (Alpine then) produced so many of them that unsold stocks were still available for discount long after they had officially vanished from the lineups ! The C-03 preamplifier is a bit more rare.

The M-03 is a big 2x 200W powerhouse (20Hz...20kHz !) which can be BTL bridged for 700W of 8 Ohm deafening output. The first stage is a double J-FETs on a single IC in differential mode. Three pairs of Sanken bipolars makes the output stage, while the predriver stage boasts high Gm MOS-Fets (in cascode mode with fixed current feed).
The STAR circuit is there: each block has its own ground and power supply for less mutual interference. The Duo-ßeta system allows for optimal levels of negative feedback. Discrete components throughout and stable down to 2 Ohm.

Four 15,000µF caps, thick internal wiring, large track PCBs, separate windings for the current and tension stages, a fat power transformer and two large aluminium heatsinks make for the bulk of the weight.

Most remembered are the two digital peak meters which can be set to display levels for 4, 6 or 8 Ohm, all with a precision of one tenth of a Watt. Those meters were however not available on the Luxman M-117 US version...

The specs and more details will be posted soon !