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  1. #1

  2. #2
    mauidan
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Has anyone heard the Inspiration Stereo amp?

  3. #3
    Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Not yet Dan.
    Mark


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  4. #4

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Has anyone heard this new affordable series yet?


    Acoustical Systems, AMG, Aqua Acoustic Quality, Audeze, Audio Desk, Audible illusions, Audioquest, Aurender, Bryston, CH Precision, Chord Electronics, Constellation Audio, Dynaudiol, Fyne Audio, Grado labs, Ikeda, JL Audio, Kondo, Kronos, Kubala Sosna, Lumin, Luxman, Lyra, Magico, Nordost, PS Audio, Roon, Shunyata, SME, Sugden, Tenor, Tannoy, Vertere, VPI and ZYX.

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  5. #5
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    They don't look inspiring to me. Too boxy looking.
    George
    -----------------------

    Aurender ACS10 Music Server > Holo Audio May KTE R2R Ladder DAC > Pass Labs XP-30 Preamp > Pass Labs XA160.5 Class A Mono Blocks > Martin Logan Renaissance ELS 15A Speakers

    Powered By 2X BPT 3.5 Signature Plus Ultra Isolators | Shunyata Research Hydra Triton + Typhon | Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

  6. #6
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Hi all,

    This is my first post. I have auditioned the Inspiration preamp in the context of my home system and am impressed by the transparent and resolving highs. It is top-down in its presentation. The mids and the lows lack some weight and body. When compared to the Jeff Rowland Capri S2 which was my previous preamp, the Capri is bottom-up in presentation with more heft to the mids and lows but lacking air and sparkle in the highs. The Ayre K-5xeMP strikes a good balance in all frequency ranges with even better mids and lows than the Capri. I am a happy camper with the Ayre now in my system.

    Happy listening.
    Jon.

    Esoteric K-01 for CD/SACD, Marantz NA8005 USB flashdrive transport for hi-res => Ayre K-5xeMP => Bryston 28B SST monos => Vienna Acoustics The Music with Shunyata Triton Power Conditioner, Kimber Select IC, KS 6063 speaker cables, Shunyata and PS Audio power cords
    Last edited by j2020; January 20, 2015 at 11:50 PM. Reason: Wrong model no. and additional info

  7. #7
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Hi Jon,

    Welcome to the forum and thank you for joining!
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  8. #8
    Audioshark
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Hi Jon. Welcome! Wonderful system you have there.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "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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  9. #9
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Thanks, all for the kind words.
    Cheers! J.

  10. #10

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by j2020 View Post
    Hi all,

    This is my first post. I have auditioned the Inspiration preamp in the context of my home system and am impressed by the transparent and resolving highs. It is top-down in its presentation. The mids and the lows lack some weight and body. When compared to the Jeff Rowland Capri S2 which was my previous preamp, the Capri is bottom-up in presentation with more heft to the mids and lows but lacking air and sparkle in the highs. The Ayre K-5xeMP strikes a good balance in all frequency ranges with even better mids and lows than the Capri. I am a happy camper with the Ayre now in my system.

    Happy listening.
    Jon.

    Esoteric K-01 for CD/SACD, Marantz NA8005 USB flashdrive transport for hi-res => Ayre K-5xeMP => Bryston 28B SST monos => Vienna Acoustics The Music with Shunyata Triton Power Conditioner, Kimber Select IC, KS 6063 speaker cables, Shunyata and PS Audio power cords
    Must be the house sound for the preamps since that is exactly how I would describe the Virgo preamp in my system when I auditioned it. Odd too since the amps (in my case the constellation) is balanced across FR and actually is bottoms up more than top down.

  11. #11
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Hi Dpod4,
    Actually, it makes good business sense for the manufacturer if their idea is for us to mate both their preamp and amp to balance out the sound. But I guess not everyone would want to purchase or upgrade both components at the same time.
    Cheers! J.

  12. #12

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Inside:

    Preamp


    Stereo amp

  13. #13
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
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  14. #14

  15. #15

  16. #16
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    I'm hoping to hear this amp (Stereo 1.0) in my system soon

  17. #17

  18. #18
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by j2020 View Post
    I have auditioned the Inspiration preamp in the context of my home system and am impressed by the transparent and resolving highs. It is top-down in its presentation. The mids and the lows lack some weight and body. When compared to the Jeff Rowland Capri S2 which was my previous preamp, the Capri is bottom-up in presentation with more heft to the mids and lows but lacking air and sparkle in the highs. The Ayre K-5xeMP strikes a good balance in all frequency ranges with even better mids and lows than the Capri. I am a happy camper with the Ayre now in my system.
    Thanks Jon. You know...I just caught wind of this combo, and was really intrigued.

    But reading your review, that you prefer the Ayre K-5xe MP...which was one of my favorite pre-amps EVER; just makes me realize, I gots to get one back!
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  19. #19

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Thanks Jon. You know...I just caught wind of this combo, and was really intrigued.

    But reading your review, that you prefer the Ayre K-5xe MP...which was one of my favorite pre-amps EVER; just makes me realize, I gots to get one back!
    The K-5 xe MP is definitely wonderful, liked it a lots. But I exchanged it for the KX-5 Twenty just recently and am quite happy about it.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  20. #20
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by Kuoppis View Post
    The K-5 xe MP is definitely wonderful, liked it a lots. But I exchanged it for the KX-5 Twenty just recently and am quite happy about it.
    Huh. This just in: I hear the sky is blue
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  21. #21
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    "...the sky is blue"

    True that!

  22. #22

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by j2020 View Post
    "...the sky is blue"

    True that!
    Ever heard either of the preamps... Or are you just chiming in because of the price difference?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  23. #23
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Yes....and.... Yes.

  24. #24

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by j2020 View Post
    Yes....and.... Yes.
    How would you describe the difference in their sound then?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  25. #25
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Your question : Ever heard EITHER of the preamps.....
    My answer : Yea.

    The difference between the 2 preamps? - you would most certainly already know the answer to that one. Which is why you upgraded.

    Congrats and enjoy! I am so green with envy!

  26. #26

    Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by j2020 View Post
    Your question : Ever heard EITHER of the preamps.....
    My answer : Yea.

    The difference between the 2 preamps? - you would most certainly already know the answer to that one. Which is why you upgraded.

    Congrats and enjoy! I am so green with envy!
    Ok, fair enough and sorry for the quizzing. I was just curious, as I still find the K-5 xe MP to be very good value for its price.

    What happened to me, is that I had the K-5 xe MP and the VX-5 and then upgraded to the KX-5 Twenty and sent the VX-5 in for the Twenty upgrade as well. The KX-5 Twenty however arrived three months before I got my VX-5 Twenty upgrade slot. Surprisingly enough, I found the K-5 xe MP to be a better pairing with the non-upgraded VX-5, as it is slightly warmer than the KX-5 Twenty.

    When I however got the VX-5 Twenty back it was significantly better with improvements in terms of bass heft, richer colors and ability to display instrument timbres, as well as dynamics. Only now was I able to fully benefit from the quite huge step-up switching from the older to the never generations.

    All-in-all the the Twenty versions are really in a different league compared to their older siblings, but the K-5 xe MP is maybe the easier preamp to pair, as the KX-5 Twenty also requires a better power amp to really shine.

    Hence my point of view (just individual opinion), that it's not always just the higher price that will tell us what is the better choice .


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  27. #27
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Inspiration INTEGRATED 1.0

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Marcin

  28. #28

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Have any of you tried using Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 and Stereo 1.0 power amp to match with Magico A3/Q3?
    There are some posts saying that the bass would be somehow repressed/
    Any experienced users can share their opinion?

  29. #29

    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by chekin View Post
    Have any of you tried using Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 and Stereo 1.0 power amp to match with Magico A3/Q3?
    There are some posts saying that the bass would be somehow repressed/
    Any experienced users can share their opinion?
    I own Constellation Revelation Pictor and Taurus and my speakers are Magico S3 and I have never felt any problems with the bass.

  30. #30
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    Re: Inspiration Series

    Quote Originally Posted by Jabba View Post
    I own Constellation Revelation Pictor and Taurus and my speakers are Magico S3 and I have never felt any problems with the bass.
    Agreed. Some of the first gen Constellation was a little light with bass. But this new stuff (new models, v2 stuff) is superbly balanced, liquid and smooth on top. Big improvements. Plenty of bass and control now!
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "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.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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