Усилители мощности стерео — Constellation Audio Statement Stereo Amplifier

The Statement Stereo Amplifier heads the stereo side of the Statement series from Constellation Audio, and the company calls it the finest stereo amplifier it has built so far. The series also includes a Statement Mono Amplifier. Visual cues are a large illuminated power meter on the front panel and a titanium grid on the top that lets heat escape from the enclosure.

Key specs that matter

Measured at 1 kHz and 0.2% THD+N, output is 850 W per channel into 8 ohm, 1,600 W into 4 ohm and 2,800 W into 2 ohm. Switched to bridged mode, it delivers 3,000 W into 8 ohm and 5,500 W into 4 ohm. Constellation notes that the higher figures depend on how much current the AC supply can deliver. Bandwidth extends from 0.5 Hz to 100 kHz within +0 and -0.1 dB, and THD+N stays below 0.05% from 10 Hz to 20 kHz at 90% of rated power. The signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 110 dB, input impedance is 360 kohm, output impedance is 0.1 ohm and the damping factor into 8 ohm is over 200. The enclosure measures 470 mm wide, 825 mm deep and 317 mm tall, and the whole unit weighs 114 kg.

Engineering and use context

Each channel uses 48 output transistors, 96 in the complete amplifier. The input section uses a balanced, mirror-image layout, and paralleled amplification modules lower its noise by 5 dB, with a three-stage fully regulated supply behind it. The main rails are fed by the proprietary C-SMPS switch-mode unit with power factor correction, which supplies a stable 380 V rail and keeps mains current and voltage in phase. Constellation states that this supply cuts noise by more than 20 dB and keeps performance consistent regardless of the loudspeaker load or the AC standard in the country of use. The move away from conventional transformer supplies is presented by the company as a deliberate choice for accuracy and reliability.

Pairing

Only balanced connections are provided, with two XLR inputs and metal binding posts, so the preamplifier needs XLR outputs. Gain is switchable between two settings - 24.4 dB with full output reached at 4.5 V, or 18.7 dB with full output at 9 V - so input sensitivity can follow the voltage a given preamplifier puts out. The low-impedance rating and the bridged option cover loudspeakers with very low impedance dips or very low sensitivity.

Alternatives

The Constellation Performance 2 Stereo Amplifier is a smaller stereo model with the same balanced bridged N-type circuitry and lower rated output.