Perseus

Overview

Overview

Elastomeric suspension.

The circuit board of the Perseus is built on a metal “raft” that floats on an elastomeric suspension, isolating the delicate circuits from outside vibrations. This is especially important in a phono preamp. Because of the low signal level coming from the phono cartridge, phono preamp circuits tend to microphonic; external vibrations can be amplified and become part of the audio signal. Thanks to the floating circuit board suspension, microphonics are practically eliminated.

Getting the best possible sound.

The Perseus can be tuned to optimize its performance for even the most exotic phono cartridges. Front-panel controls allow adjustment of source impedance and load capacitance for the ideal performance from any cartridge you choose. Impedance is continuously adjustable from 0 to 1000 ohms for moving-coil cartridges. For moving-magnet cartridges, the Perseus provides four impedance selections from 33 to 100 kilohms as well as five load capacitance options from 200 to 400 picofarads. Whether you decide to follow the cartridge manufacturer’s recommendations or explore your own course, the Perseus has the versatility to get the best possible sound from your cartridge.

Fully complementary circuitry

The Perseus’s balanced audio circuitry is essentially two mirror-imaged preamp circuits, one to amplify the positive half of the audio signal, the other to amplify the negative half. The fully balanced design cancels the effects of interference-an important capability considering the low level of the signals inside a phono preamp-and also increases slew rate and frequency response.

Mechanically isolated circuit board

The audio circuit board floats on an elastomeric suspension to isolate it from the effects of outside vibration. Consider it like a raft floating on a calm lake, protected from disturbances on shore.

Machined solid aluminium chassis

A heavy aluminium chassis with 8.2mm minimum wall thickness shields the internal circuitry from all forms of electromagnetic interference, and also helps damp vibration that might affect the audio circuitry.

Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs

Easily interfaces with any turntable and any preamplifier.

Two moving-coil inputs, one moving-magnet input

Ample inputs even for the most exotic triple-tonearm turntables.

Adjustable source impedance

The Perseus provides enough adjustment range to suit any cartridge manufacturer’s specification or any personal taste. Source impedance for the moving-coil cartridge inputs is continuously adjustable from 5 ohm to 1000 ohm, while source impedance for the moving-magnet cartridge input can be set to 33K ohm, Separate Power Supply 47K ohm, 68K ohm or 100K ohm.

Adjustable load capacitance

The Perseus’s load capacitance can be set from 200 to 400 pF in 50-pF increments to meet the needs of any moving-magnet phono cartridge.

Separate power supply

In order to isolate the sensitive analog audio circuits from interference emanating from the digital circuits, the Cygnus uses a separate power supply enclosure. The power supply actually houses two separate supply circuits: a high-quality linear supply with an R-core transformer to feed the analog circuits, and another supply to power the digital and control circuits.

Inputs:
3 stereo XLR & 3 stereo RCA
Outputs:
1 stereo XLR, 1 stereo RCA
Power output:
<0.005% 10Hz - 20kHz
Gain:
65 dB max
Output noise:
-100 dB re 2V output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Frequency response:
0.10db 10Hz - 20kHz
Output impedance:
< 50 ohm
Load impedance:
5 ohm to 1000 ohm, MC inputs
10K ohm to 100K ohm, MM input
Load capacitance:
100 to 400 pF, selectable
EQ curve:
RIAA
Weight:
35 lbs / 16 kg, phono preamp
22 lbs / 10 kg, power supply
Dimensions (W x H x D):
17 x 5.5 x 15.75 in (whd), phono preamp
43.2 x 14 x 40 cm (whd), phono preamp
17 x 2.75 x 14.5 in (whd), power supply
43.2 x 7 x 36.8 cm (whd), power supply

The Absolute Sound

Editor's Choice
2015

Virgo II, Perseus, Centaur Stereo & Mono and the Inspiration Series STEREO 1.0, MONO 1.0 and PREAMP 1.0 have been awarded the Absolute Sound 2015 Editor’s Choice award.

The Absolute Sound

The Absolute
Sound Editors
Choice Awards
2021

Constellation Audio won multiple awards this year in The Absolute Sounds Editors’ Choice Awards 2021.

The Absolute Sound

Product of the
year 2014

The Absolute Sound


Product of the Year 2014

Perseus and the entire Inspiration line have been awarded The Absolute Sound 2014 Product of the Year awards.

The Absolute Sound

The Absolute
Sound Editors
Choice Awards
2022

Constellation Audio won multiple awards this year in The Absolute Sounds Editors’ Choice Awards 2022.

The Absolute Sound

Absolute Sound
2013 Editor's
Choice

Virgo, Perseus and Centaur Stereo have been awarded the Absolute Sound 2013 Editor’s Choice award

The Absolute Sound

The Absolute
Sound 2012
Golden Ear
Awards

Centaur, Perseus and Virgo have been awarded the Absolute Sound 2012 Golden Ear Award

The Absolute Sound

Editors' Choice
Award 2019

Constellation Audio received a number of Editors’ Choice Awards for 2019 from The Absolute Sound.

The Absolute Beat

Jimmy Awards
2016

” Constellation Audio’s Dream Team of designers consists of stars in the audio firmament. Among others, John Curl, Bascom King, Peter Madnick, and the late James Bongiorno have contributed to various aspects of Constellation product design. The legendary Irv Gross handles sales and marketing. “

The Absolute Sound

Editors' Choice
Award 2019

Constellation Audio received a number of Editors’ Choice Awards for 2019 from The Absolute Sound.

The Absolute Sound

The Absolute
Sound - Editor's
Choice 2016

Inspiration STEREO 1.0, Inspiration MONO 1.0, Inspiration PREAMP 1.0, Centaur Stereo, Argo, Perseus, Virgo III, Altair II, Hercules II Mono have been awarded the Absolute Sound 2015 Editor’s Choice award.

The Absolute Beat

TAS Editors
Choice Awards
2020

The Absolute Sound granted a number of our components with their Editors Choice Award 2020, including:

Altair II. Argo. Centaur II, Hercules II/Hercules II Stereo, Inspiration 1.0, Inspiration Mono 1.0, Inspiration Preamp 1.0, Inspiration Stereo 1.0, Perseus, Andromeda, Pictor, Taurus Stereo, and Taurus Mono Amplifier.

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