Усилители мощности стерео — Constellation Audio Inspiration 2 Stereo Amplifier

The Inspiration 2 Stereo Amplifier is the stereo power stage in the Inspiration 2 series from Constellation Audio, a group of four components that the company positions as the entry point to its range, alongside a matching preamplifier, an integrated model and a monoblock. Constellation describes the Inspiration 2 amplifiers as a distillation of its original amplifier designs into a more compact chassis, with fewer amplifier modules and a power supply that is less heavily overbuilt than in the upper series.

Key specs that matter

Maximum output is 240 W per channel into 8 ohm and 420 W into 4 ohm, both measured at 0.1% THD+N across 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 80 kHz within 0.05 dB. With an output impedance of 0.1 ohm, the quoted damping factor is 80. Signal-to-noise ratio, measured from DC to 90 kHz, reaches 100 dB A-weighted at 1 V, 115 dB unweighted at full power and 125 dB A-weighted at full power. The chassis measures 432 x 216 x 483 mm and weighs 19.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

In every channel a Balanced Bridged layout drives the upper and lower signal halves through their own amplifier circuits, and both halves are built only from N-type transistors. The input stage is the Line Stage Gain Module also used in the larger Constellation amplifiers - hand-matched low-noise transistors combined with a servo circuit that corrects any imbalance between the two signal halves. A switch-mode supply fitted with power factor correction feeds the circuits, and its power factor is 0.98 at partial output and 1.00 at full output. The amplifier draws under 0.25 W in standby, 135 W at idle, 1,300 W or 1,500 W at full output into 8 or 4 ohm loads respectively. Inputs are two XLR, one of which is a Constellation Link, and two RCA, while the loudspeakers connect through metal binding posts.

Pairing

When fed by a Constellation preamplifier over the Constellation Direct connection, the amplifier skips one of its own gain stages. Through the direct input the gain is 12 dB and 15 V is needed to reach rated power into the higher load (12.5 V into the lower), whereas the standard input offers 25.2 dB of gain and needs 3 V (2.6 V into the lower), so preamplifiers from other brands belong on the standard path. The Inspiration 2 Preamplifier, with three XLR and three RCA inputs in a single chassis of the same footprint, is the matching control unit.

Alternatives

The Constellation Revelation 2 Stereo Amplifier uses the same circuit concept with a lower output impedance and higher rated power.