Constellation Audio Perseus Phono Preamplifier User Manual

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CAUTION

To reduce risk of electric shock, do not remove any of the phono preamplifier’s cover plates or screws.
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact qualified service personnel.

WARNING

To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this preamplifier to moisture, rain, or excessive
humidity.

The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert

the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s

enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to
persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

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Thank you for purchasing the Constellation Audio Perseus phono preamplifier. We
designed the Perseus to achieve greater fidelity and greater flexibility than any other
phono preamp—and to elevate your vinyl playback system to a level you didn’t think
possible.

The Perseus employs circuitry and controls unlike those found in any other phono
preamp. Thus, setting it up requires a few steps not normally needed with
conventional phono pres. By taking a few minutes to read this manual before you
operate the Perseus, you will be assured of getting maximum performance from this
component.

Contents

Page Topic

4 Before you install the Perseus

Unpacking

Power supply setup
Installation notes
In the event of malfunction

6 Turntable and preamp connections

XLR inputs

RCA inputs
XLR outputs
RCA outputs
Chassis and signal grounds

10 Other connections on the Perseus

Power inputs
RS-232
USB / control
Hub

11 Controls / displays / indicators

Front panel knobs and buttons
Rear panel controls

15 Control screens
17 Step-by-step operating procedure
18 Maintenance
18 Troubleshooting
19 For more information

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Before you install the Perseus

Unpacking

Take care when you remove the Perseus from its packaging. Because of its machined aluminum top
chassis, it is heavier than the average preamp. Have an extra person nearby to help if you need it. You
may wish to use gloves to protect your fingers.

Power supply setup

The Perseus's separate power supply (bottom component in the picture above) must be connected to
the Perseus main chassis (top component in the picture above) as shown above before you plug the unit
into a wall. Make sure the power switch on the power supply is in the off (O) position.

The supplied cables which are permanently attached to the power supply are spiral-wrapped, gold­plated copper designed for aerospace use, and can handle up to 30 amps.

Connect one of the supplied cables to the Analog Left power socket on the Perseus, then into the
Analog Left power socket on the power supply as shown above. Repeat with the Analog Right and
Control power connections.

At this point you can plug the Perseus power supply into the wall socket. Leave the master power
switch off until you connect your other equipment to the Perseus.

DO NOT remove the power cables while the unit is powered on. If you do happen to accidently pull
one of them out, DO NOT plug it back in. Turn off the power supply using the hard switch on the
rear panel, unplug the unit, then replace the cable. Failure to power down the unit before
replacing a power cable can result in substantial damage to your Perseus.

If you will be using the Constellation Audio Centaur or Hercules amplifiers (or any other high-powered
amplifier), do not plug the Perseus into the same AC socket or into any other outlet connected on that
circuit. Constellation Audio amplifiers draw a great deal of power and could affect the Perseus’s
performance if the amplifier(s) and preamp are plugged into the same electrical circuit or AC outlet.

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When you connect or disconnect the AC cord, always grasp it by the plug, not by the cord itself. Pulling
the plug out by the cord can damage the cord, the AC socket, and/or the Perseus.

Installation notes

The Perseus preamplifier uses passive cooling; there are no internal fans. While the Perseus does not
generate as much heat as an amplifier, it should still be located in an area with adequate ventilation.

There should be at least 6 in/15 cm of clearance between the sides and top of the preamp and the
nearest wall or cabinet. If the Perseus is installed in a cabinet or an equipment closet, ensure the
cabinet/closet has adequate ventilation. Installation in an unventilated cabinet or closet may cause the
Perseus to overheat, significantly reducing its lifespan.

The Perseus requires a room-temperature environment to operation properly. Ambient temperature
should be about 70°F/21°C, plus or minus 10°F/5°C. Never install the Perseus in a place where it may
be exposed to direct sunlight, and do not install it next to a room heater, radiator, air conditioner,
etc.

Make sure that the Perseus will not be exposed to moisture. Do not locate it in an area where it might
be spilled on, and do not place it in a humid location (such as an unfinished basement).

We recommend leaving the Perseus on all the time to ensure maximum performance and the best
possible sound quality.

Installing the Perseus in a place where it will be exposed to direct sunlight or moisture, or where it will
not have adequate ventilation, will void your warranty.

Connected components

The Perseus preamp is designed to be paired with any high-quality turntable, and with any quality
preamp; ideally Constellation's Altair or Video preamps. Both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)
connections are available. XLR will provide the highest quality/lowest noise signals, and should be used
when possible.

In the event of malfunction

Do not under any circumstances open the chassis of the Perseus. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside. Opening the chassis can present a shock hazard even if the AC power is disconnected. Any
alteration or modification of the Perseus’s internal parts or circuit will immediately void your
warranty.

If your Perseus does not function correctly, refer to the Troubleshooting section at the end of this
manual. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, contact your Constellation Audio dealer.

If any liquid is spilled on the preamp, or if any metal object (such as a staple or a paper clip) is
inadvertently forced inside, immediately disconnect the AC power and contact your Constellation Audio
dealer.

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Turntable and preamp connections

1. XLR MC inputs

The two XLR inputs farthest to each side of the back panel of the Perseus are for use with MC
cartridges. As you are looking at the rear panel, the left XLR inputs are for the right channel, the right
inputs are for the left channel. These correspond with inputs MC-1 and MC-3. These XLR connections
cannot be used concurrently with the RCA input below them; for example, you can use either MC-1
(XLR) or MC-2 (RCA), but not both. Use of XLR connections is recommended for the best possible audio
quality. To remove an XLR plug, push on the tab above the jack and pull the plug out.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To preserve true dual-mono operation, the Perseus uses a symmetrical circuit
layout. This configuration requires that the Perseus’s back panel connections be laid out a little
differently from those on most preamps. For example, the left-channel connection for input MC-1 is at
the far right side of the back panel, and the right-channel connection for MC-1 is at the far left side.
Connecting the cables in the usual side-by-side fashion will result in an incorrect installation and the
mixing of sounds from different tonearms or turntables.

The MC input numbers from left to right, looking at the back of the Perseus are:
MC-1

right

, MC-3

——MC-3

right

left

, MC-1

left

.

2. XLR MM input

The two XLR inputs closest to the center of the Perseus back panel are for use with MM cartridges. As
you are looking at the rear panel, the left XLR input is for the right channel, the right input is for the
left channel. These XLR connections cannot be used concurrently with the RCA input below them; for
example, you can use either MM-1 (XLR) or MM-2 (RCA), but not both. Use of XLR connections is