Constellation Audio Perseus Phono Preamplifier - Manual (Page 6)

6
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
right
——MC-3
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