Constellation Audio

[cmalak]

Just got done reading JV's review of the Constellation Audio Performance Series Products (Centaur stereo amp, Virgo linestage, and Perseus Phono). These are the more approachable (read "affordable") brethren of the Reference line of products which are obscenely expensive. In any case, the review is very laudatory and he states these have become his new Reference points for any electronics (tubes or SS). The design team here is the who's who of high-end audio and the technologies used seem very interesting. Has anybody had a chance to hear these products (or the Reference line for that matter) at audio shows and what did you think? Here are some pics of the Performance line products:

Centaur Stereo Amp ($24K):

Virgo Linestage ($19K):

Perseus Phono ($19K):

There is also the Cygnus digital file player/DAC which he did not review that I am assuming is also $19K:

[cmalak]

Here's TAS's review by Robert Harley of the Reference line products: http://www.constellationaudio.com/ca/80190_eprint.pdf

Altair linestage w/ Pyxis controller @ $60K:

Hercules power amp @$70K per mono block:

[metaphacts]

Heard them driving Magicos in Montreal. Listened to a couple of Peter McGrath's recent recordings (with Peter).

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Heard them driving Magicos in Montreal. Listened to a couple of Peter McGrath's recent recordings (with Peter).

You listened to which the Reference or Performance line? What did you think?

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by cmalak

you're such a tease Bill .....


AND?

I spent many nights recording with Peter in my early days. Let's just say that his recordings in Montreal in that room didn't sound like what I would have expected. But the sound was the sum of the parts - who knows what, including the room, contributed what to the sound?

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

I spent many nights recording with Peter in my early days. Let's just say that his recordings in Montreal in that room didn't sound like what I would have expected. But the sound was the sum of the parts - who knows what, including the room, contributed what to the sound?

Interesting. Well, if you get a chance to hear them again (not sure if you are going to be at the CA audio show in July I believe), let us know if your impression changes. Thx for the feedback. I am just curious

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Interesting. Well, if you get a chance to hear them again (not sure if you are going to be at the CA audio show in July I believe), let us know if your impression changes. Thx for the feedback. I am just curious

As I said in a thread long ago, you can only speculate as to what is responsible for any given aspect of sound in a room at a show. That said, there were rooms where there was no difficulty whatsoever hearing precisely what Peter had captured.

[TOGA]

I have my eyes on Centaur Mono to pair with ARC Ref40..
hope to hear more info about it soon.
Toga.