Constellation Audio 1.0 Stereo Power Amplifier

Description

MY TAKE: Adopting a unique and brilliant approach, Constellation Audio assembled a team of some of the most respected names in the audio world to pool their talents and design a line of state of the art, industry-leading electronics. Luminaries including Peter Madnick, Bascom King, the late James Bongiorno, John Curl, and Demian Martin collaborated to create a range of products that not only sound amazing, but offer outstanding value. Very impressive gear! - Galen Carol

The best possible fidelity -

Achieving a perfect balance between the two halves of an audio signal is possible only when the incoming signal is itself perfectly balanced. This is why the Inspiration STEREO 1.0 uses the same Line Stage Gain Module circuit found in all Constellation Audio products. The Line Stage Gain Module’s servo circuits assure that both halves of an incoming signal are perfectly balanced, no matter what the source.But if the source is a Constellation Audio preamp — which of course has its own Line Stage Gain Module — then so much the better. Because you can then use the Constellation Direct balanced input, which bypasses the Inspiration STEREO 1.0’s input stage for the best possible fidelity.

A cool, reliable operation -

A custom-wound toroidal transformer, feeding a total of 24 capacitors yielding a combined 240,000 microfarads of storage, assures that the Inspiration STEREO 1.0’s output stages always receive the clean, ample voltage and current needed to achieve maximum musicality and sonic transparency. Massive heat sinks, ventilated through hundreds of ventilation ports in Constellation Audio’s trademark machined-aluminum side panels, assure cool, reliable operation. The Inspiration STEREO 1.0 is the very essence of the Reference-series Hercules and Performance-series Centaur amplifiers, distilled into a more compact and affordable package.

200 watts per channel into 8 ohms -

With power output conservatively rated at 0.2% total harmonic distortion plus noise, doubling to 400 watts into 4 ohms, the Inspiration STEREO 1.0 has enough power to drive practically any speaker to maximum volume without audible distortion.

Balanced bridged design from Hercules and Centaur -

The Inspiration STEREO 1.0 uses a modular, fully balanced design with only N-type output transistors, instead of half N-type and half P-type as found in almost all other solid-state amplifiers. Thus, the positive and negative halves of the audio signal are maintained in ideal balance and the subtlest of musical details are preserved.

Line Stage Gain Module -

Incoming signals are treated to our Line Stage Gain Module circuitry, which uses servo circuits to achieve essentially perfect balance between the positive and negative haves of the audio signal. If a Constellation Audio preamplifier is used, this input stage may be bypassed through use of the Inspiration STEREO 1.0’s Constellation Direct balanced input.

Fully discrete circuitry -

As with our other amplifiers, we use only discrete components in the Inspiration STEREO 1.0’s audio circuits.

Ultra-smooth, high-current power supply -

A large, custom-wound toroidal transformer feeds a bank of 24 capacitors rated at 10,000 microfarads each, assuring that the Inspiration STEREO 1.0’s output stages have more than enough current to deliver their rated power with ease — and enough dynamic output to achieve concert-sound levels, if your speakers are up to it.

No output filters required -

The inherent stability of our Balanced Bridged design allows us to dispense with the Zobel output filter network many amplifiers require to maintain reliable operation.

Shortest possible signal path -

by placing the transformer at the front of the Inspiration STEREO 1.0 and moving the output stages to the rear, we ensure the shortest possible signal path and very low output impedance.

Shielded enclosure for power supply -

To minimize interaction of the transformer’s electromagnetic fields with the audio circuits, we place the transformer in its own enclosure and shield it with thick aluminum plates. A special shielded channel carries the AC voltage from the power input to the power supply enclosure.

Specifications -

Product Manual

Inputs:
1 Constellation Direct XLR, 1 standard balanced XLR, 1 unbalanced RCA
Outputs:
metal binding posts
Power output:
200 watts, 8 ohm (1 kHz @ 1% THD+N)
400 watts, 4 ohm (1 kHz @ 1% THD+N)
Gain:
14dB Constellation Direct, 26 dB Balanced & RCA
Output noise:
<70 ?V, 500 kHz BW, -116 dB @ 250 watts
Damping factor (8Ω load):
80
THD+N:
<0.05%, 1 kHz @ up to 90% of rated power
Frequency response:
10 Hz to 80 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio:
>-95 dB, A-weighted
Input impedance (direct):
100K Ω
Input impedance (balanced):
100K Ω
Input impedance (single-ended):
100K Ω
Output impedance:
0.1 ohm
Volume control resolution:
0.5dB from 0dB to -90 dBFS
Weight:
80 lbs / 36.3 kg
Dimensions (W x H x D):
17" x 8.5" x 19"
43.2cm x 21.6cm x 48.3cm