Constellation upgrade question

[DaveUK]

Hi All - I just upgraded from Sasha DAW to Alexia V. Very pleased. However, I have been using a Constellation Inspiration 1.0 pre and stereo power with the DAW which I love. I am wondering if it would be worth an upgrade to the Constellation Taurus power with the Alexia V or is the Taurus too similar to the Inspiration to make a sonic difference. Unfortunately no dealer is able to offer me and A/B demo in UK so I'll need to take it on trust. I know Constellation as a brand doesn't get much love these days but, I for one, love their sound so plan to stay with the brand. Thanks for advice!

 

[jbr7]

Hi All - I just upgraded from Sasha DAW to Alexia V. Very pleased. However, I have been using a Constellation Inspiration 1.0 pre and stereo power with the DAW which I love. I am wondering if it would be worth an upgrade to the Constellation Taurus power with the Alexia V or is the Taurus too similar to the Inspiration to make a sonic difference. Unfortunately no dealer is able to offer me and A/B demo in UK so I'll need to take it on trust. I know Constellation as a brand doesn't get much love these days but, I for one, love their sound so plan to stay with the brand. Thanks for advice!

Hi DaveUK.
I have the Taurus stereo amp. I did have the Inspiration for several years and traded up to the Taurus. I liked the Inspiration, when I had it, but I love the Taurus! To me, it sounds better but I would be hard pressed to explain to you why, lol.

I don't have Wilson speakers. I have Von Schweikert Unifield 2 Signature, stand-mounted, bookshelf speakers. My dealer sells both Constellation and Wilson products. At one point you could, and probably still can, audition Wilson with Constellation. I never did because I wasn't going to change speakers. I don't want to go out on a limb and say you will definitely notice a difference, but I think you will be pleased with the upgrade if you do it.

To be honest, I have a fairly small listening space. I sit about 6 to 7 feet from my speakers, so that has to be taken into consideration. However, even though your speakers are much bigger than mine, I think their performance could be enhanced by moving up to the Taurus.

If you are ever in this country and visiting southern California, get in touch. You can come over for a listening session to help you make up your mind, lol.

 

[JackD201]

Hi Dave the Taurus is a different Animal altogether. The monos are in my opinion, and I've said it here on WBF many times, the one of if not the most underrated high power SS amplifiers around. To answer your question directly, I think they are closer to my Centaur 500 S than they are to the Inspiration. If they can handle Magico M3s with ease, grace and brutality when called for, I have no doubt they will do the same with your Alexia Vs. Prior to delivery I ran them on VSA Endeavor E3 Mk1s, ESEs and E5 Mk2s.

 

[thesaint519]

Hi Dave the Taurus is a different Animal altogether. The monos are in my opinion, and I've said it here on WBF many times, the one of if not the most underrated high power SS amplifiers around. To answer your question directly, I think they are closer to my Centaur 500 S than they are to the Inspiration. If they can handle Magico M3s with ease, grace and brutality when called for, I have no doubt they will do the same with your Alexia Vs. Prior to delivery I ran them on VSA Endeavor E3 Mk1s, ESEs and E5 Mk2s.

It looks like you might be in the very unique position to influence my next few purchases. You seem to have had experience with Constellation Audio, Magico, and Lamm. Here's my current situation. I own:

Wilson Sasha Gen I
Lamm L2 Preamp
Lamm M1.2 Ref Monos

On a recent trip to Vancouver, BC, I was fortunate enough to hear the Magico S3 MK II with Constellation Audio. And man, was I BLOWN AWAY!!!

So, I've gotta have a pair of Magico M3's. They will serve as my grail speakers, and allow me to eliminate the unending desire to upgrade. I love my Lamm gear, but I HATE that those monos also double as space heaters. Do you think the Lamms would serve the M3s as well as the Constellation Audio gear would?

 

[Lsumerford]

It looks like you might be in the very unique position to influence my next few purchases. You seem to have had experience with Constellation Audio, Magico, and Lamm. Here's my current situation. I own:

Wilson Sasha Gen I
Lamm L2 Preamp
Lamm M1.2 Ref Monos

On a recent trip to Vancouver, BC, I was fortunate enough to hear the Magico S3 MK II with Constellation Audio. And man, was I BLOWN AWAY!!!

So, I've gotta have a pair of Magico M3's. They will serve as my grail speakers, and allow me to eliminate the unending desire to upgrade. I love my Lamm gear, but I HATE that those monos also double as space heaters. Do you think the Lamms would serve the M3s as well as the Constellation Audio gear would?

The constellation/Magico combination is one of the best on the market. Especially since the new Series 2 is 20% mores efficient in terms of power.

 

[KPC]

I have a Inspiration Pre + Inspiration Stereo. The Inspiration Stereo has light-weight bass, not sure if is true of the Taurus or Centaur. The new Inspiration Stereo-2 fixes this bass.

Is upgrading to a used Taurus or Centaur better than a new Inspiration Stereo-2?

 

[JackD201]

I'll know in a couple of months. I'll have both 2nd Series Inspiration and Revelation in stock by then. One thing for sure is that the Taurus monos have no problem even with demanding acoustic suspension loudspeakers. How close the Inspiration 2 will come to them should be very exciting as well is if the Taurus 2 can trump the Taurus 1 in obvious ways.

 

[KPC]

Thanks, very much appreciated.

 

[Lsumerford]

Breaking in our new Constellation Revelation Series 2 amp now. So far, sounds is off the charts good…

 

[Lsumerford]

Running it with Magcio A3’s right now

 

[AudioHedonist]

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has had the opportunity to compare the original Inspiration/Revelation (first) series with the current (second) series. While I'm aware of the power source modifications, and understand that most internal components remained unchanged, I would appreciate any direct comparisons between the old and new series. Has anyone conducted a side-by-side comparison of both versions? I'd be particularly interested in your observations and experiences.

 

[jbr7]

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has had the opportunity to compare the original Inspiration/Revelation (first) series with the current (second) series. While I'm aware of the power source modifications, and understand that most internal components remained unchanged, I would appreciate any direct comparisons between the old and new series. Has anyone conducted a side-by-side comparison of both versions? I'd be particularly interested in your observations and experiences.

I hope to be able to answer that question, but I don't know when. I anticipate an audition of the new Revelation 2 series, as I am considering the upgrade from my first iteration Revelation. My system sounds pretty good as it is now, so I hope I'm not tempting fate fooling with an "upgrade" here, lol. But I can't give a time frame for the audition. I'm cautiously optimistic it will be within a month or two. Stay tuned.