Фонокорректоры — Constellation Audio Revelation 2 Phono Preamplifier

The Revelation 2 Phono Preamplifier is a transistor phono preamplifier from the Californian company Constellation Audio, powered from a separate supply chassis. The Revelation 2 series sits between the entry Inspiration 2 range and the higher Performance 2 and Statement lines, and the Revelation 2 Preamp, Stereo and Mono amplifiers share its styling. The phono stage costs GBP 33,998. Constellation notes that it offers fewer inputs and equalisation options than the Performance 2 Phono.

Key specs that matter

The rear panel carries a pair of XLR and a pair of RCA phono inputs, each usable with moving-coil or moving-magnet cartridges, and one XLR and one RCA output. Maximum gain is 65 dB on both balanced and unbalanced paths. MC loading is adjustable from 5 to 1,000 ohm in 1 ohm steps, and settings can be stored per channel and per input. MM loading is 10, 33 or 47 kOhm, with 0, 100 or 200 pF of capacitance. Output noise is -96 dB referred to 2 V from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, THD+N is below 0.008% from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, and frequency response is ±0.10 dB from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. Output impedance is below 5 ohm. Equalisation is RIAA. The phono unit measures 432 x 216 x 585 mm, the power supply 432 x 70 x 368 mm, and together they weigh 16 kg, of which 5 kg is the supply.

Engineering and use context

A classic RIAA equalisation circuit feeds a fully balanced output stage based on Constellation's Line Stage Gain Modules, built with hand-matched ultra-low-noise transistors. The external supply is a switch-mode design that Constellation says is more than 20 dB quieter than a linear supply, and it is housed in thick machined aluminium slabs that shield the phono circuits from interference. Each Constellation supply is specific to its product and cannot be swapped with the preamplifier's supply. Fine MC loading steps allow the load to be set exactly to a cartridge maker's recommendation, and storing settings per input means two turntables or tonearms with different cartridges can stay connected. Balanced XLR inputs suit tonearms wired balanced from the cartridge, which keeps the signal differential from the cartridge onward. An LCD touchscreen with buttons controls loading, gain and input selection.

Pairing

The balanced output connects to the Revelation 2 Preamp or other Constellation preamplifiers with XLR inputs. With its high gain and fine load steps, even low-output MC designs need no external transformer.

Alternatives

The Constellation Performance 2 Phono Preamplifier offers more inputs and equalisation options in the next series up.