CONSTELLATION AUDIO TO DEMONSTRATE AWARD-WINNING REFERENCE SERIES ALTAIR II PREAMPLIFIER AND HERCULES II MONOBLOCS at MUNICH HIGH-END SHOW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 22, 2016
Constellation Audio, the renowned manufacturer of high performance solid-state electronics, is pleased to announce that at CES 2016 they will be demonstrating their Reference Series Altair II preamplifier and Hercules II monobloc amplifiers. Altair II and Hercules II are the proud co- recipients of The Absolute Sound magazine’s 2015 “Overall Product of the Year Award.” Since Constellation Audio burst onto the audio scene six years ago with the original Altair preamplifier and Hercules amplifiers, they have continuously raised the standards for high performance solid-state electronics. The Constellation Audio dream team has applied their rigorous design and engineering research to create the Altair II and Hercules II as worthy successors to their original namesakes, products which by every parameter significantly raise the performance bar from their previous benchmark standards. The new Reference Series products redefine transparency and resolution on the preamplifier side while combining these virtues with the ultimate in both finesse and control on the amplifier side. The net result is a system that delivers uncompromised performance and musicality.
The engineering accomplishments of the Altair II are many, beginning with the separate triple- transformer power supply which is itself shielded by a machined aluminum chassis.
Construction of the completely dual-mono control center is highlighted by the use of a machined solid aluminum enclosure (called a raft) which is constructed with 8.2mm-thick walls. The raft is secured to a platform incorporating an isolating polymer sheet between sheets of stainless steel, and this platform is in turn mounted on an elastomeric suspension. The net result is complete mechanical and electromagnetic isolation. The inclusion of a home-theater bypass mode and the addition of a DB-9 connector for easy whole house interface add user convenience to the incomparable sonic performance of the Altair II.
Hercules II monoblocs begin with a solid foundation using two 3,000-Watt transformers housed in their own shielded, suspended enclosure. The shielding and suspension prevents electromagnetic noise or mechanical vibration from entering into the system. Using the 125- Watt fully balanced building block modules that have become a signature of Constellation Audio amplifier designs; the Hercules is configured using multiple modules in a single chassis to deliver 1,000 Watts into each mono chassis. Connection between the Altair II and Hercules II is optimized using the Constellation Direct interface which eliminates an extra (and potentially noisy) gain stage in the signal path. However, for those users of other preamplifiers, Hercules II is also equipped with balanced and single-ended inputs. Hercules II is able to combine the depth and delicacy prized in single-ended triode designs with seemingly unlimited power to deliver the perfect balance between the power needed for ultimate control and finesse.
To fully appreciate the many virtues of the Altair II and Hercules II combination requires assembling ancillary partners of a commensurate level. Source components will include the Constellation Audio Cygnus Media Server/DAC and a Continuum Audio Labs Obsidian turntable with Viper tonearm paired with a Constellation Audio phono stage. Finally, the system must include loudspeakers that are equal to the task. With their extraordinary dynamic range, resolution, and prodigious bass, the Martin-Logan Neoliths are the perfect complement to the Altair II and Hercules II.
DISPLAY LOCATION: The Constellation Audio Reference System will be on display at the MOC, Atrium 4, 1st Floor, Room F-118.
SPECIFICATIONS
Altair II
Bandwidth: 10Hz-200 KHz @ 0.5% Output = 17 Volts RMS
Inputs: 4-XLR Balanced, 4-RCA Unbalanced
Output: 2pr XLR & RCA/channel
Volume control resolution: 0.1, 0.5, or 1 dB; user-selectable Remote Control: Volume, Balance, Input, Mute, Phase Features: External power supply, 12V trigger, USB control, DB-9
Dimensions
Preamp: (W x H x D): 17.5” x 5.5” x 14.8”; 44.5 cm x 14 cm x 47.6 cm; Weight: 84
lbs.; 38.2 kg.
Power Supply: (W x H x D): 17.5” x 2.8” x 14.5”; 44.5 cm x 7.2 cm x 36.8 cm; Weight: 26.2 lbs.; 11.4 kg.
Hercules II Mono
Power Output: 1.1 kW into 8 Ohms, 1.5 kW into 4 Ohms, 2 kW into 2 Ohms Frequency Response: 10Hz – 100 KHz +1/-0.5 dB
Gain: 32dB
Inputs: XLR Constellation Direct, XLR Balanced, RCA Unbalanced Output: 2pr. Binding post/Banana socket/channel
Input Impedance: 10KΩ Unbalanced, 20KΩ Balanced Features: 12V trigger, USB control
Dimensions (W x H x D): 19” x 13” x 32”; 48.3 cm x 23 cm x 81.3 cm
Weight: 220 lbs.; 100 kg.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The US retail price of the Altair II is $78,000
The US retail price of the Hercules II Monos is $180,000/pr.
Altair II and Hercules II are in current delivery to US and worldwide markets. ABOUT CONSTELLATION AUDIO
Constellation Audio was formed for the purpose of bringing to discriminating listeners the highest performing audio products in their respective categories. To do this required assembling a “dream team” of the finest multi-disciplined designers and engineers in the business. Quality is assured by manufacturing all Constellation Audio products in our own factory in California. CONTACT
For additional information regarding Constellation Audio, please contact Irv Gross at [email protected] or at (860)-550-0601.
©2016 Constellation Audio
###
Comment