Constellation Audio Centaur

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
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Constellation Audio "Innards"

Is it only me or anyone else also feels disappointed by those internals ? The amps looks gorgeous on the outside, and one would expect the internals to be equally impressive, but the amp looks quite oridinaty inside. They should definately keep them dressed up :)

No, you are not the only one. I contacted CA and asked about the "reasons" the internal wiring looked like a mess (i.e. Garage-Build), --specifically the transformer wiring using off-the-Wal-Mart Shelf twisit ties ?

What's worse is the unit-to-unit inconsistencies evident in viewing other Inspiration 1.0 preamps. It would suprise me if these "variations" had no influence on unit-to-unit sound-quality or noise levels. The design/manufacturing of these preamplifiers looks cheap, hurried; not well thought out. Resorting to twist-ties to control a thick "bundle" of wires haphazzardly strewn about the power-supply section of the preamp is nothing short of laughable.

There are much more refined Hi-Fi products out there than these poorly executed builds. "Garage Build" comes to mind.
 

Backo NYC/SF

Active Member
Oct 15, 2021
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Just chiming in here but, as much as I was unimpressed with the interior of the Centaur II Stereo, it really is much more musical to me than the above mentioned amps that have obvious under-the-hood impressiveness.
It’s discouraging but the Constellation gear is pretty swell sonically.
 
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