Constellation Inspiration2.0 Power Amplifier
An Inspiring Start
Our Inspiration 2 Stereo and Mono amplifiers distill the power and passion of our original amplifiers into a more compact chassis. And now we’ve added C-SMPS, the best amplifier power supply ever created. The Inspiration 2 amplifiers use our Balanced Bridged technology: a musical, single-ended amplifier module. To achieve the desired output, we add modules rather than increasing circuit complexity. The result? Ample power to drive any speaker with the subtlety of a small amplifier.
The Input Stage
The Inspiration 2 Stereo and Mono use the same Line Stage Gain Module input stage found in our top amplifiers. Hand-matched, low-noise transistors combine with a servo circuit that corrects any signal balance inconsistencies. The Inspiration 2 amplifiers’ Constellation Link interface connects to Constellation amplifiers to remove one amplification stage from the signal path, resulting in less complexity and more musicality.
The Circuit
The Inspiration 2 Stereo and Mono employ a balanced configuration, with separate amplifier circuits for the positive and negative halves of the audio signal. Other balanced amps use N-type transistors for the positive half of the circuit and P-type transistors for the negative half. Our Balanced Bridged configuration uses only N-type transistors, so both signal halves pass through the same circuitry, and even the softest musical details are preserved.
The Result
We like to think of the Inspiration 2 amplifiers as distilled versions of our larger models because the circuits and the core design philosophy are the same. They’re a perfect example of why our approach to amplification works so well. We didn’t have to redesign the amps to make them smaller; we just reduced the number of modules and made the power supply well, let’s say, a bit less overbuilt. When you hear what the combination of our innovative audio circuits and revolutionary C-SMPS power supply achieves, we expect you’ll be as astonished as the reviewers and showgoers who experienced the debut of these designs. The Inspiration 2 amplifiers may be smaller in stature, but their musicality and emotion are undiminished.
Reviews
Munich High-End 2024: The Top, Top Fives!
The annual Munich High-End Show is the predominant audio event. This is still the show to attend if you want to know what’s new and what’s next in audio.
Prominent Magazine HiFi Plus tasked several reviewers at the show with coming up with their top five products at the event.
We consciously avoided getting our reviewers to share their recommendations. Rather than avoiding repeats, we wanted to show if there was consensus. Also, with such a large show, the risk of repeats was relatively low. In fact, just one brand was picked by more than one reviewer—Alan Sircom and Tom Martin selected Constellation Audio in their respective top fives.
This is Huge - where else can one compare the top amplifiers brands at one place and time?
Specifications
- Inputs 2 RCA, 2 XLR (1 Constellation Link)
- Max power @ 0.1% THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz @ 8 Ω 240W
- Max power @ 0.1% THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz @ 4 Ω 420W
- Input sensitivity @ power at 0.1% into 8 Ω 15V direct i/p, 3V non-direct
- Input sensitivity @ power at 0.1% into 4 Ω 12.5V direct i/p, 2.6V non-direct
- Outputs Metal binding posts
- Frequency response 10Hz – 80KHz +/- 0.05dB
- Gain – direct input 12 dB
- Gain – non-direct input 25.2 dB
- AC power draw – standby < 0.25W
- AC power draw – idle 135W
- AC power draw – @ max power in 8 Ohms 1300W
- AC power draw – @ max power in 4 Ω 1500W
- Power factor – partial power 0.9
- factor – full power 1 . 00
- Damping factor 80
- S/N ratio DC-90KHz ref 1 volt, A weighted 100dB
- S/N ratio DC-90KHz ref full power, unweighted 115dB
- S/N ratio DC-90KHz ref full power, A weighted 125
- Output impedance 0.1Ω
- Weight 43 lbs./19.5 kg
- Dimensions 18.75″/476mm x 24.25/616mm x 11.5″/292mm (WDH)
