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  #1  
Old 10-30-2022, 12:54 PM
dentlfly dentlfly is offline
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Default constellation taurus

any members have any experience with constellation taurus stereo amp?
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  #2  
Old 10-30-2022, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by dentlfly View Post
any members have any experience with constellation taurus stereo amp?
Not with the Taurus stero amp, but I've had the Inspiration integrated amp in-house for some months now. The Constellation Inspiration was really good once it got broken in (>400 hours or so), but once I connected a dedicated Altaira SG hub to the Inspiration, and another Altaira SG hub dedicated to the source front end, the system as a whole got better. Like...a LOT better.

As a result, I'm so impressed with it that I'm going to sell my First Sound Presence Deluxe preamp and C-J LP70S power amp and use the Inspiration integrated for my system, along with a Lumin P-1 as optical streamer and DAC.

Adding the Altairas just took the system to another level.



So..my recommendation? Go for it.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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Old 10-30-2022, 01:40 PM
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@Puma Cat - Unless you plan to make use of the additional inputs on the Lumin P1 or its preamp function, have you considered going for the X1 instead? It's still the top Lumin streamer/DAC and reputedly outperforms the P1 in sonics. Never thought I'd hear of you replacing the First Sound Presence Deluxe, and even more surprising with an integrated!
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Old 10-30-2022, 02:36 PM
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Many, if not most, manufacturers (Accuphase, Boulder, Gryphon, Pass Labs, etc.) have really done a great job with integrated amps over the past 5-10 years. Compared to separates, I don't think the better ones loose a thing SQ-wise. I'm very pleased with my INT-25 and don't think I've lost a thing to the separates it replaced.
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  #5  
Old 10-30-2022, 03:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
@Puma Cat - Unless you plan to make use of the additional inputs on the Lumin P1 or its preamp function, have you considered going for the X1 instead? It's still the top Lumin streamer/DAC and reputedly outperforms the P1 in sonics. Never thought I'd hear of you replacing the First Sound Presence Deluxe, and even more surprising with an integrated!
Hi Bill,

Actually, I have thought about the X1, and while I concur it's a phenomenal component (especially so with the fully dual-mono architecture *and* dual-mono external power supply), it's a fair bit more expensive. And, I will need the preamp function of the P-1 for those occasions I want to fire up my sweet little Class-A AmpCamp mono blocks (designed by Nelson).

And, Lumin has also done a superb job with their LEEDH volume control technology, as it provides flexibility in set-up and for use in various configurations (e.g. with an integrated, or as a pure preamp for use with the liltte Pass monos...).

One of the reasons I'm going to go with Lumin is not only how superb their products sound, but also (and this is really important for my specific requirements) is how well they think through the integration of the product design with the functional requirements. The LEEDH volume technology is a good example, but also the fact that they've incorporated an optical SFP cage as an input, because they know, both scientifically and from an engineering perspective, why optical has intrinsic engineering advantages over copper-based digital interfaces, e.g. Ethernet and USB. The fact that they put a proper chassis-ground terminal on the back is another plus, because that makes for the best type of connection to an Altaira hub. Aurender does this, too, so good on 'ya Aurender and Lumin! I am just so impressed with both these companies.

As for the First Sound, it's an absolutely fabulous preamp on many different levels, so my hope is it will go to a good home. I just had Emmanuel upgrade the dual external power supply modules to the the new Shunyata Research CCI-X component noise isolation modules (there's two each in each external chassis), so it's even quieter than when I bought it, and you don't need to use Shunyata noise-reduction (NR) power cables with it, the XCs are perfect because the NR is already built-in to the power supplies themselves. I power it with Alpha V2 XCs, and it sings ever so sweetly.

The main reason for doing this, though, is I'll be able to significantly simplify the system. I spend most of my time listening to Roon and Qobuz, and while the current set-up works well, it's also...complex. By using the P-1 and Constellation, I'll be able to eliminate, get this: 7 cables (woot!), 4 power supplies, and 3 components, plus their respective supporting bits, e.g. boards and footers.

And, to paraphrase a Linn tagline from back in the day, simpler is better.

Cheers.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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Old 10-30-2022, 03:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Many, if not most, manufacturers (Accuphase, Boulder, Gryphon, Pass Labs, etc.) have really done a great job with integrated amps over the past 5-10 years. Compared to separates, I don't think the better ones loose a thing SQ-wise. I'm very pleased with my INT-25 and don't think I've lost a thing to the separates it replaced.
Couldn't agree more, Glenn. One of the most impressive components I've ever heard, regardless of price, was the DarTZeel CTH-8550 integrated amp. That puppy is incredible...
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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  #7  
Old 10-30-2022, 04:29 PM
Porsche993TT Porsche993TT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Many, if not most, manufacturers (Accuphase, Boulder, Gryphon, Pass Labs, etc.) have really done a great job with integrated amps over the past 5-10 years. Compared to separates, I don't think the better ones loose a thing SQ-wise. I'm very pleased with my INT-25 and don't think I've lost a thing to the separates it replaced.
need to add the burmester 032 and aavik integrated to the list as well, unless you are dropping $35-$40k plus on separates they are hard to beat
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  #8  
Old 10-30-2022, 05:02 PM
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need to add the burmester 032 and aavik integrated to the list as well, unless you are dropping $35-$40k plus on separates they are hard to beat
Good info, thanks!
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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  #9  
Old 10-30-2022, 05:09 PM
Porsche993TT Porsche993TT is offline
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Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
Good info, thanks!
i have a aavik u300 with dac/phono, its about $33k new and i haven't hear a amp/combo/dac that is better without spending a lot more money, not saying it doesn't exist but the u300 is very solid, the burmester 032 tho is just an all around smoother and more natural sounding integrated tho IMO
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  #10  
Old 10-30-2022, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Porsche993TT View Post
i have a aavik u300 with dac/phono, its about $33k new and i haven't hear a amp/combo/dac that is better without spending a lot more money, not saying it doesn't exist but the u300 is very solid, the burmester 032 tho is just an all around smoother and more natural sounding integrated tho IMO
That's great info, thanks. Those are both out of my price range, but it's great info for the database. If I had funds in that price range to spend, I'd also be looking hard at the DarTZeel CTH-8550.

Cheers.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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