CAUTION To reduce risk of electric shock, do not remove any of the 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.
Thank you for purchasing the Constellation Audio Virgo preamplifier. And prepare for a musical experience far beyond your expectations. The Virgo employs essentially the same revolutionary circuitry pioneered in our Altair preamp. Like the Altair, it’s designed for simple operation. However, as with Altair, the unique design demands that certain aspects of setup and operation are necessarily a bit different from those of typical stereo preamps.
Before you install the Virgo Unpacking Take care when you remove the Virgo 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 Virgo's separate power supply (bottom component in the picture above) must be connected to the Virgo main chassis (top component in the picture above) as shown above before you plug the unit into a wall.
Constellation Audio amplifiers draw a great deal of power and could affect the Virgo’s performance if the amplifier(s) and preamp are plugged into the same electrical circuit or AC outlet. 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 Virgo. Installation notes The Virgo preamplifier uses passive cooling; there are no internal fans.
If your Virgo 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. Source device and amplifier connections 1.
The input numbers from left to right, looking at the back of the Virgo are: 5right, 6right, 7right, 8right——8left, 7left, 6left, 5left. IMPORTANT NOTE: To preserve true dual-mono operation, the Virgo uses a symmetrical circuit layout. This configuration requires that the Virgo’s back panel connections be laid out a little differently from those on most preamps.
From left to right, as you are looking at the back of the Virgo, the outputs are: 1right, 2right——2left, 1left. When connecting to an amplifier, be sure to match the output to the correct channel on your amp. As you are looking at the back of the Virgo, the outputs on the left side are for the right channel, the outputs on the right are for the left channel. To remove an RCA plug, grasp it by the connector body and pull the plug out. Other connections on the Virgo 5.
Power supply connections 9. Power outputs These outputs connect to the power inputs of the Virgo preamp. Constellation Audio has supplied you with special spiral-wrapped, gold-plated copper cables designed for aerospace use. Each of these cables is rated to handle 30 amps. Each of these jacks mates with a matching jack on the preamp.
Controls / displays / indicators 11. Front indicator—power supply The Virgo’s external power supply has a blue LED power indicator near the top of its front panel. When you switch the Virgo on, the light will not glow. After a few seconds, when the power supply and preamp are warmed up, the blue LED will glow steadily. When you switch the Virgo off from its remote control, the blue LED will go out after 10 seconds. 12 – 18.
Thus, when you turn the volume up (clockwise), the number on the front display will decrease. When you turn the volume down (counterclockwise), the number will increase. The adjustments steps are in 1 dB increments between -99.0 dB and -50.0 dB, and 0.5 dB increments from -49.5 dB to 0.0 dB. 14. Home This button brings you to the input select screen no matter which control screen you are currently viewing. 15. Return/back This button brings you back to the previous control screen.
System remote control The remote operates basic functions of the Virgo as well as other Constellation Audio components. Only buttons used for the Virgo are described here. Pushing any button activates the remote’s backlight for several seconds, but does not affect the Virgo. Subsequent button pushes, after the buttons are illuminated, will affect the preamp. 19. Standby/power Push this button to turn the Virgo on and off.
Remote control The remote operates the basic functions of the Virgo. It does not operate other Constellation Audio components. 26. Standby/power Push this button to turn the Virgo on and off. When you turn the unit on, it will take a few seconds to warm up. When the Virgo is ready for use, its LCD screen will show the most recently selected input and the blue LED on the front of the power supply will illuminate.
Control screens Many Virgo functions are controlled through the LCD touchscreen. Here is how the control screens function. Standby screen When the preamp’s power is on, touch the power button to enter Standby mode, which silences the audio but keeps the power supply running Input selector (or home) screen This screen appears when the power is on and the unit is warmed up. Touching any input button onscreen will switch to that input.
Input setup screen When you press the multifunction button labeled Setup on the input screen, this screen will appear. It allows you to set up a home theater bypass input; set minimum and maximum output levels, and change the phase of the output signal. To flip the phase of the Virgo’s output signal: Use the multifunction button below the display.
Step-by-step operating process We’ve covered all of the basic controls and indicators of the Virgo. Here’s how you use them to perform the basic operations of turning the unit on, selecting a source, adjusting the sound, and turning the unit off. STEP 1: To turn on the Virgo from the front panel, push the Power button in the middle under the LCD touchscreen. Alternatively, you may push the Power button on the remote.
Maintenance The Virgo requires no regular maintenance. If the preamplifier’s surface becomes dusty, simply wipe it off with a soft dry cloth. Do not spray cleaners on the surface. To clean fingerprints from the surface of the preamplifier, spray a small amount of mild window cleaner such as Windex onto a soft dry cloth, then use the cloth to remove the fingerprints. Do not spray the cleaner directly onto the preamplifier. Troubleshooting Preamplifier will not turn on 1.
F. Check that the volume is at a sufficient level. Do not turn the volume all the way up to check this, as if sound is reestablished while the Virgo is set to output maximum volume, damage can be done to your speakers and amplifiers. G. If none of these actions restores the sound, contact your Constellation Audio dealer. Sound seems unfocused 1. Play a CD of typical pop vocals and sit in front of your speakers at an equal distance from both (at least 8 feet away from each speaker).
For more information Your Virgo preamplifier should give you many years of trouble-free, maintenance-free service. If you encounter any problems you cannot solve or have technical questions, please contact your Constellation Audio dealer. For more information about Constellation Audio products, please visit our website: www.constellationaudio.
