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  1. #1
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    Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    https://positive-feedback.com/review...age-amplifier/


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  2. #2
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Hey Mike,

    In the constellation inspiration 1.0 range there is also an integrated amplifier.

    Just wondered if you had heard it and if so what your thoughts were on it?
    Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.

  3. #3
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001 View Post
    Hey Mike,

    In the constellation inspiration 1.0 range there is also an integrated amplifier.

    Just wondered if you had heard it and if so what your thoughts were on it?
    Yes. It’s excellent. Same house sound. Not a 300 watt monster, but plenty of power and finesse and the same tube like Constellation sound. Liquid and engaging. Doesn’t get hot. Made in USA.


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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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  4. #4
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Thanks very much for sharing that Mike.

    A review in The Absolute Sounds noted "While the 1.0 conveyed a general tonal signature that was dead-on neutral, its personality was ever-so-slightly shaded to the cooler side of the spectrum". Do you agree with that? I'd actually prefer something with a hint of warmth.

    Constellation is under consideration to drive my speakers and I prefer a single chassis integrated. Its competitively priced too.
    Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.

  5. #5
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001 View Post
    Thanks very much for sharing that Mike.

    A review in The Absolute Sounds noted "While the 1.0 conveyed a general tonal signature that was dead-on neutral, its personality was ever-so-slightly shaded to the cooler side of the spectrum". Do you agree with that? I'd actually prefer something with a hint of warmth.

    Constellation is under consideration to drive my speakers and I prefer a single chassis integrated. Its competitively priced too.
    I personally don’t. I’ve always thought the Constellation sound is liquid and smooth. I say “sounds like tubes without the heat and fuss.”

    Dead neutral SS amp? I would have to think on that. Bryston I guess.

    Sterile and dry is CH and Spectral (just my two cents).

    Liquid is Constellation and T+A.

    Sweet is Luxman.

    Big, ballsy and dynamic is Gryphon.

    Warm is Pass XA.


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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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  6. #6
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Sterile and dry is CH and Spectral (just my two cents).
    Feedback is adjustable on CH. Is it possible feedback was too high so sound is sterile and dry?

    I agree on Spectral. Sounds like my childhood family Pioneer receiver to MY ear.

  7. #7
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Mike, in your view, where does the SIT-3 sit among these descriptions? Or a VAC amp?


    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    I personally don’t. I’ve always thought the Constellation sound is liquid and smooth. I say “sounds like tubes without the heat and fuss.”

    Dead neutral SS amp? I would have to think on that. Bryston I guess.

    Sterile and dry is CH and Spectral (just my two cents).

    Liquid is Constellation and T+A.

    Sweet is Luxman.

    Big, ballsy and dynamic is Gryphon.

    Warm is Pass XA.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidMcCallum View Post
    Mike, in your view, where does the SIT-3 sit among these descriptions? Or a VAC amp?
    The SIT-3 doesn’t sound like any other amp. If frankly doesn’t sound like an amp at all that you can compare it to. It does take a good hour to warm up, needs a high gain preamp and doesn’t like a high impedance or difficult load. It likes to float between 4 and 8 ohms, no less, no more. My 18 ohm speakers require me to put a resistor on it.

    The Constellation is very liquid, smooth, slightly warm without any loss of detail.

    The VAC is a tube amp through and through. Organic, rich, natural and musical and currently, my amp of choice for home.


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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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  9. #9
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Mike,
    Thanks for the description. If you do not use a resistor, which are some speakers (in your experience) that you recommend that can be driven well by the SIT-3 amp?
    Anshul
    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    The SIT-3 doesn’t sound like any other amp. If frankly doesn’t sound like an amp at all that you can compare it to. It does take a good hour to warm up, needs a high gain preamp and doesn’t like a high impedance or difficult load. It likes to float between 4 and 8 ohms, no less, no more. My 18 ohm speakers require me to put a resistor on it.

    The Constellation is very liquid, smooth, slightly warm without any loss of detail.

    The VAC is a tube amp through and through. Organic, rich, natural and musical and currently, my amp of choice for home.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
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    Re: Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

    Some have tried it with the Harbeth P3ESR’s, I haven’t yet. I’ve only tried it on all my Avantgarde’s.


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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.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp review

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