I posted the launch announcement of Constellation's Inspiration line in another thread here:
http://audioshark.org/constellation...ich-high-end-audio-show-may-15-18-a-4896.html
Here's the text of the announcement with specs on the Inspiration line in case you are interested:
Constellation Audio, the innovative manufacturer of high performance amplifiers, preamplifiers, and digital playback systems, is pleased to announce the debut of its new Inspiration Series preamplifier and amplifiers at the Munich High End Show in Munich Germany from May 15 – 18. Derived from the highly acclaimed Reference and Performance Series components which established Constellation Audio as a premiere electronics manufacturer, the Inspiration Series components bring the engineering, design, and manufacturing expertise of Constellation Audio to a new generation of listeners.
Drawing on their rich heritage, Inspiration offers listeners the best of Constellation Audio designs, performance which has been distilled to the essence, but not diluted. The amplifier and preamplifier are the first of the Inspiration Series components to be released, with an integrated amplifier, phono preamplifier, DAC, and media player to follow later this year.
Murali Murugasu, CEO of Constellation Audio, states that the Inspiration Series “are landmark components that offer a unique value proposition to the high end audio customer. Their ability to deliver such high performance at a relatively modest price is unmatched in our industry.”
According to Peter Madnick, VP of Engineering for Constellation Audio, the reasons for being able to bring the Inspiration Series of components to market are unique. “Because we do everything in-house, we are able to utilize many of the same circuit topologies found in our more sophisticated designs. The strong aesthetic family resemblance is achieved through using the same industrial design team (led by Alex Rasmussen of Neal Feay) which created the Reference and Performance Series products.”
Inspiration power amplifiers are available in both stereo and monaural configurations and are designated AMP 1.0 and MONO 1.0, while the preamplifier is called PREAMP 1.0.
The heart of the amplifiers’ design is our unique Balanced Bridged circuit topology, which combines multiple single-ended amplifier modules in a fully balanced design – the same design used in our Reference and Performance Series amplifiers. To assure a perfectly balanced signal, the AMP 1.0 and MONO 1.0 also incorporate the servo circuits in our Line Stage Gain Module to make certain that both halves of an incoming signal are perfectly balanced, no matter what the source.
With AMP 1.0 delivering a conservatively rated 200 wpc into 8 Ohms (400 wpc into 4 Ohms) and MONO 1.0 delivering twice that (into 8 and 4 Ohm loads respectively) per chassis, it is highly unlikely that anyone will exhaust the dynamic reserves of these powerful amplifiers.
From the Reference Series’ Altair II to the Performance Series’ Virgo II to the new Inspiration Series PREAMP 1.0, the lineage is unmistakable. Technologically, PREAMP 1.0 uses the same Line Stage Gain Module design in a fully balanced configuration as does its more costly siblings. To this, we incorporate such real world features as a home theater bypass, remote turn-on/turn-off capability, and an elegant machined-aluminum remote control. PREAMP 1.0 is equally suited to be the centerpiece of a great music system or as an integral part of a multi-channel home entertainment system. Either way, the user gets the benefits of Constellation Audio performance and design in an affordable package.
Constellation Audio will be demonstrating the new Inspiration Series at the Munich High End Show at:
Building: ATRIUM 4 First Floor, Room F-118
Specifications
AMP 1.0
Power Output: 200 W/ch. into 8 Ohms, 400 W/ch. into 4 Ohms @ 0.2% THD+N Bandwidth: 10Hz-80 KHz @ 0.5% THD+N
S/N ratio: >95dB, A-weighted
Inputs: Constellation Direct, XLR Balanced, RCA Unbalanced
Output: 1pr. Binding post/Banana socket/channel
Features: 12V trigger, USB control
Power consumption: @idle = 110W, @full power TBD
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17” x 8.5” x 19”; 43.2 cm x 21.6 cm x 48.3 cm
Weight: 55 lbs.; 25 kg.
MONO 1.0
Power Output: 400 W/ch. into 8 Ohms, 800 W/ch. into 4 Ohms @ 0.2% THD+N Bandwidth 10Hz-80 KHz @ 0.5% THD+N
S/N ratio: >95dB, A-weighted
Inputs: Constellation Direct, XLR Balanced, RCA Unbalanced
Output: 2 pr. Binding post/Banana socket/channel
Features: 12V trigger, USB control
Power consumption: @idle = 110W, @full power TBD
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17” x 8.5” x 19”; 43.2 cm x 21.6 cm x 48.3 cm
Weight: 60 lbs.; 27.2 kg.
PREAMP 1.0
Bandwidth: 10Hz-100 KHz @ 0.1% THD+N S/N ratio: >105dB, A-weighted
Output = 17 Volts RMS
Inputs: 3-XLR Balanced, 3-RCA Unbalanced Output: 2pr XLR & RCA/channel
Remote Control: Volume, Balance, Home Theater Bypass, Mute, Phase Features: internal power supply, 12V trigger, USB control
Power consumption @50W
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17” x 5.25” x 15”; 43.2 cm x 13.3 cm x 38.1 cm
Weight: 25 lbs.; 11.3 kg.
Pricing and Availability
The US retail price of the AMP 1.0 is $10,000, the MONO 1.0 is $20,000/pr., and the PREAMP 1.0 is $9,000. Deliveries worldwide will begin in June 2014.
Source: Press Release
