Constellation audio Performance Series DC Filter User manual

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CAUTION
To reduce risk of electric shock, do not remove any of the DC filter’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 DC filter 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 adding the Performance Series DC Filter to your Constellation Audio
system. This filter will work with any Performance Series line-level component: the
Virgo II or Virgo III line stage, the Cygnus digital music player or the Perseus phono
preamp.
We designed this filter because we know dedicated audiophiles always want to take
their system one step further. The separate power supplies in Performance Series
components already offer tight DC regulation and large amounts of storage
capacitance. This DC Filter takes it one step further with much larger storage
capacitor banks and power filters.
To our knowledge, no other company offers a separate DC Filter such as this one. Its
connections are not complicated, but they will be unfamiliar. Please take a few
minutes to read this manual to make sure you connect the DC Filter correctly, so it
attains maximum performance.
Contents
Page Topic
4 Before you make any connections
4 How to connect the DC Filter
5 In the event of malfunction
6 Maintenance
6 Troubleshooting

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Before you make any connections
The 6-foot-long cables hard-wired to the Performance Series DC Filter allow considerable placement
flexibility. However, the DC Filter must be placed within cables’ reach of the Performance Series
component (Virgo II and Virgo III line stage, Cygnus digital music player or Perseus phono preamp) and
its power supply. You can stack the DC Filter between the power supply and the Performance Series
component as shown on the next page. Or you can put the power supply and DC Filter on a separate
shelf of an equipment rack, or whatever works for the space and equipment racks you have available.
Before you make any connections, be sure to follow these rules:
1) Turn your entire audio system off.
2) Disconnect the AC cord connected to the Performance Series component’s power supply.
3) If you’ll be placing the Performance Series component atop the DC Filter and the power supply,
disconnect all cables from the component, so that they don’t get in your way or get tangled.
4) If you need to move your Performance Series component, get someone to help you. These
components are built from machined solid aluminum slabs and are much heavier than they look.
5) Before you reconnect AC power, ensure all power supply, filter and audio connections are restored.
How to connect the DC Filter
The Performance Series DC Filter has three hard-wired cables and three jacks. The cables are a high-
current PCOCC design tipped with Hypertronics connectors developed for aerospace applications.
The hard-wired cables on the DC Filter connect to your Performance Series component (Virgo II line
stage, Cygnus digital music player or Perseus phono preamp). The three jacks on the DC Filter connect
to the power supply included with your Performance Series component.
To connect the Hypertronics plugs into the jacks:
1) Insert the plug with the flat section twisted about 20 degrees to the left (roughly the 10 o’clock
position).
2) Gently push the plug in all the way.
3) Twist the plug clockwise until it locks.
To remove the Hypertronics plugs:
1) Pull back on the release tab atop the plug.
2) Twist the plug gently counterclockwise, then pull it out.

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Each cable is dedicated to a specific purpose: right channel, left channel or control. Be sure to connect
the right-channel cable to the right-channel input, the left-channel cable to the left-channel input and
the control cable to the control cable input.
Start by connecting the three cables from the power supply to the three jacks on the DC Filter. Then
connect the three cables from the DC Filter into the three jacks on the Performance Series component.
The proper connections are shown below. The component shown is the Perseus phono preamp, but the
connections are the same for the Virgo line stage and the Cygnus digital music player.
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 power supply, then replace the cable. Failure to power down the unit
before replacing a power cable can result in substantial damage to the power supply, the DC Filter
or the Performance Series component.
In the event of malfunction
Do not under any circumstances open the chassis of the DC Filter. 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 DC Filter’s internal parts or circuit will immediately void your
warranty.

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If your DC Filter 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 DC Filter, 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.
Maintenance
The DC Filter requires no regular maintenance. If the 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 DC Filter, 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.
For more information
Your Performance Series DC Filter should provide 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.com