Constellation Audio Centaur Monos with ARC Preamp

[MDP]

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

 

[FlexibleAudio]

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.

 

[Dpod4]

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

 

[FlexibleAudio]

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!

 

[FlexibleAudio]

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!!!

 

[Dafos]

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.

 

[Mike]

Thanks guys.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dpod4]

Wow, pretty impressive line of amps the Constellation/Ref 10 has bested!

For sure - ref40 not ref 10 tho

 

[FlexibleAudio]

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.

 

[Dafos]

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.

 

[Dpod4]

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.