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  1. #1
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    Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    I am thinking of matching my Ref 10 with Constellation Audio Centaur Mono amps. I am curious if anyone has tried this combo or maybe the Ref 5SE or Ref 40??? Or, for that matter, any tube preamp experience with the Centaurs would be welcome.

    Thanks in advance for feedback,

  2. #2

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    My reference system is ARC Ref 40 and ARC Ref 2SE with Centaur Stereo. Perfection. Better than with Virgo II as preamp. I can only imagine how the Ref 10 sounds with centaur monos!! I have cycled thru many combos. ARC plus Constellation + Magico is incredible. Arc brings holography and texture. Centaur brings delicacy and power. Magico pairs perfectly with constellation

  3. #3
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Thanks Dpod. I have seen some of your comments but I wasn't sure if you had just auditioned or own the combo. It is great to hear you are so positive having lived with them! BTW, I just received an email from Peter Madnick confirming the synergy as well. He indicated certain dealers around the world have taken to matching ARC Preamps with Centaurs.

    Thanks again,

  4. #4

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Yes I own the arc and Constellation gear. I auditioned and could have purchased the Virgo II. I thought ARC preamp was more synergistic with centaur. More meaty and musical.

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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Add me to the list, loving my Centaur with Ref 5. I rotate with the Virgo when I want a little tube sound.


    IMG_1176.JPG

  6. #6
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioSalon View Post
    Way to go John. Joe just fainted.
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  7. #7
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    How is the Strad/601 combo?
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

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  8. #8
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Heaven, however MC2301 are the amps to have for the Strads...never heard a sweeter combo than the C500 with MC2301 on the strads.

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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioSalon View Post
    Heaven, however MC2301 are the amps to have for the Strads...never heard a sweeter combo than the C500 with MC2301 on the strads.
    Joe just fainted
    Mark


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  10. #10
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Way to go John. Joe just fainted.
    Oh boy, you know it.

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioSalon View Post
    Heaven, however MC2301 are the amps to have for the Strads...never heard a sweeter combo than the C500 with MC2301 on the strads.
    That is the combo that gave me huge goosebumps. Dammit.

    Quote Originally Posted by MDP View Post
    Joe just fainted
    I'm a little woozy.
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  11. #11
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Repeated my previous post, sorry but wasn't trying to skewer Joe.

  12. #12
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Stick a fork in him. Joe's done.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

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  13. #13
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by AudioSalon View Post
    Add me to the list, loving my Centaur with Ref 5. I rotate with the Virgo when I want a little tube sound.


    IMG_1176.JPG
    Thanks much for the feedback. Can you provide a bit of contrast between the ARC and Virgo? Do you find the ARC gear has the speed of the Virgo?

  14. #14
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Paul, going to hear Constellation and Raidho D3's today...............I'll let you know.
    Mark


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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by MDP View Post
    Paul, going to hear Constellation and Raidho D3's today...............I'll let you know.
    Awesome Mark, I look forward to your comments. BTW, you are an early riser.....posted at 5:41 am; I wake up at that time to roll over and go back to sleep.

  16. #16
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by MDP View Post
    Paul, going to hear Constellation and Raidho D3's today...............I'll let you know.
    Mark, I know you are in the middle of setting up your new D3's but when you get a second I would love to get your comments on the Constellation and D3 synergy. At your convenience.

  17. #17

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    I was concerned with matching my ref Anni to the centaur stereo's 20kohm input impedance which is in the lower end of what ARC specifies. This proved to be a non issue and the synergy is excellent. I'll be posting my views on a Virgo 2 audition soon.

  18. #18

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    I found Virgo 2 to excel at resolution and low level listening. The ref 40 excelled at texture and holography

  19. #19
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Darrin - how did you like Hegel?


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  20. #20

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    The Hegel P30 and H30 are truly amazing for their price point. I had both in my system. Sold them tho as the ARC and Constellation were/are in a different league. The Hegel did beat CJ GAT and 350 and Hegel beat VAC preamp and 450S amp. All judgments based on synergy with Magico s5 and Maggie 3.7.

  21. #21
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Darin, heard the Constellation monos with the D3's at David's, it was perfect !!
    Mark


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  22. #22
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Dafos View Post
    I was concerned with matching my ref Anni to the centaur stereo's 20kohm input impedance which is in the lower end of what ARC specifies. This proved to be a non issue and the synergy is excellent. I'll be posting my views on a Virgo 2 audition soon.

    Thanks Dafos. I look forward to your comparison of the Anni to the Virgo 2.

  23. #23

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by MDP View Post
    Darin, heard the Constellation monos with the D3's at David's, it was perfect !!
    I think the SET like delicacy the centaur pairs well with revealing speakers like Magico and rhaido

  24. #24
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpod4 View Post
    The Hegel P30 and H30 are truly amazing for their price point. I had both in my system. Sold them tho as the ARC and Constellation were/are in a different league. The Hegel did beat CJ GAT and 350 and Hegel beat VAC preamp and 450S amp. All judgments based on synergy with Magico s5 and Maggie 3.7.
    Wow, pretty impressive line of amps the Constellation/Ref 10 has bested!

  25. #25
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by MDP View Post
    Darin, heard the Constellation monos with the D3's at David's, it was perfect !!
    Thanks Mark. Here's to wishing I was doing what your doing right now!!!

  26. #26

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpod4 View Post
    The Hegel P30 and H30 are truly amazing for their price point. I had both in my system. Sold them tho as the ARC and Constellation were/are in a different league. The Hegel did beat CJ GAT and 350 and Hegel beat VAC preamp and 450S amp. All judgments based on synergy with Magico s5 and Maggie 3.7.
    Had the Hegel H 30 driving my Q3. Completely outclassed the ref 250 which is a great amp but not the ideal match to the complex magico load. While H30 is a great match to the Q3, the Consrellarion clearly bumps the bar up. Had them side by side with the mighty Krell 600e's. While the krell's bottom end had more weight, the constellation, despite its huge power disadvantage, wasn't far behind. It was the liquid and expressive mids of the constellation that won the day for me.

  27. #27
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Thanks guys.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  28. #28

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by FlexibleAudio View Post
    Wow, pretty impressive line of amps the Constellation/Ref 10 has bested!
    For sure - ref40 not ref 10 tho

  29. #29
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    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpod4 View Post
    For sure - ref40 not ref 10 tho

    Oops, my mistake although I presume the matching will be close with the Centaur given the same output impedance of the Ref 10 and Anni.

    Thanks again for your input.

  30. #30

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by FlexibleAudio View Post
    Thanks Dafos. I look forward to your comparison of the Anni to the Virgo 2.
    Got a chance to audition the the Virgo 2. Initially, I was impressed by the added clarity and speed, regardless of whether one uses the direct or balanced input. But ultimately, I still preferred the more relaxed and lush presentation of the ref anniversary. I felt that the Virgo, while definitely clearer and more transparent, added a tad of brightness that made it difficult to give up the lusher presentation of the ref anniversary. Depending on speakers and ancillary components, I can, however, see others preferring the Virgo over the ARC line stages. Speakers used were Magico q3 and ML Summit X.

  31. #31

    Re: Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Dafos View Post
    Got a chance to audition the the Virgo 2. Initially, I was impressed by the added clarity and speed, regardless of whether one uses the direct or balanced input. But ultimately, I still preferred the more relaxed and lush presentation of the ref anniversary. I felt that the Virgo, while definitely clearer and more transparent, added a tad of brightness that made it difficult to give up the lusher presentation of the ref anniversary. Depending on speakers and ancillary components, I can, however, see others preferring the Virgo over the ARC line stages. Speakers used were Magico q3 and ML Summit X.
    Exactly my impressions. Arc ref 40 added weight and heft and dimension.

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Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

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