OVERVIEW
To create the Virgo preamplifier, our “dream team” of the world's best audio engineers and industrial designers borrowed heavily from the Altair, Constellation Audio’s state-of-the-art Reference series line stage. Although the Virgo’s design is more economical to manufacture, its fundamental circuit topology is the same—and its sound is as arresting as one might expect from such revolutionary technological concepts.The core of the Virgo is Constellation Audio’s Line Stage Gain Module, a fully balanced preamplifier circuit that achieves essentially perfect balance between the positive and negative halves of the audio signal. The musicality and transparency of this circuit are unequalled in any other preamp available. The Line Stage Gain Module also makes possible the Constellation Link, a direct connection to Constellation Audio amplifiers that bypasses the amplifiers’ input stages for superior sound quality.
The circuitry inside the Virgo is built on a “raft” assembly that floats on an elastomeric suspension so it is isolated from outside vibration, just as a raft floating on a lake is not affected by disturbances on shore. The audio circuitry sits atop the raft, and the control circuit is mounted beneath it. A metal plate isolates the two halves from each other to block interference between them.
The chassis of the Virgo is as functional as it is beautiful. The enclosure is machined from solid aluminium to a minimum thickness of 8.2mm, adequate to block all common forms of electromagnetic interference. A 432 x 230-pixel screen on the front provides detailed information about operating status and adjustments.
A separate power supply enclosure contains any electromagnetic fields generated by the power supply so they do not affect the Virgo’s sensitive analog circuitry. Inside the enclosure are two separate supplies. One is a linear supply with an R-core transformer; it provides ultra-clean power to the analog circuits. The other supply provides power for the control circuitry. Two high-quality Hypertronics cables, originally developed for the aerospace industry, provide a high-current interface between the power supply and the preamp section.An elegant machined aluminium remote control with backlit buttons provides full access to all of the Virgo’s functions. Those who seek the ultimate control experience can use the Virgo with our Pyxis wireless system controller, which allows advanced automation functions and full two-way control.
The seductive sound of the best tube preamps. The precision of the best solid-state components. Only with Constellation Audio’s innovative circuit concepts and industrial design are these seemingly conflicting goals possible. And only in our preamps is it achieved.
