PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC and Stellar Gold Preamp

Posted on 19th December, 2023
PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC and Stellar Gold Preamp

PS Audio releases a high-performance digital-to-analogue convertor benefitting from "advanced parallel DAC architecture" alongside a preamp featuring a combination of JFET and BJT devices.

The new StellarGold DAC boasts advanced parallel DAC architecture. This, says PS Audio, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs. We are told that, by using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out. This is because the probability of all DACs having the exact same non-linearity error at the same digital input value is nearly zero. We are assured that the results are "nothing short of breathtaking".

PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC

The StellarGold DAC is designed around ESS 9038 Pro technology and employs four parallel DACs per channel. This reduces noise through averaging signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced). When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the four DACs are averaged together, the upshot is an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion, so says the company.

PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC

The PS Audio DAC supports PCM to 768kHz and DSD to 256 (11.2mHz) with its fully balanced design offering a pair of I2S ports, a USB, an AES/EBU, and a coaxial input.

STELLAR GOLD PREAMPLIFIER

PS Audio tells us that the StellarGold Preamplifier is fully balanced from input to output and features two hand-crafted discrete audio amplification stages, both enjoying extremely high slew rate, high bandwidth, and low distortion signal handling capabilities.

PS Audio Stellar Gold preamp

Based on a combination of JFET and BJT devices alongside "hand-selected purist components", the brand states the musical signal is delivered without the interference of capacitors in the signal path. Volume and balance are controlled by precision stepped attenuation.

Each amplification stage is based on a minimal global feedback design that achieves low distortion skills "through careful balancing and high current design choices".

PS Audio Stellar Gold preamp

Finally, its high current class A output stage is said to be "more than capable" of driving long cable lengths without compromise so that your power amplifier enjoys all the benefits StellarGold Preamplifier has to offer.

The PS Audio StellarGold analogue offers two pairs each of RCA single-ended inputs, XLR balanced inputs, and a pair of RCA single-ended and XLR balanced outputs per channel.

The PS Audio StellarGold DAC and StellarGold Pre are currently priced at $3,999 USD each.

Visit PS Audio for more information

Jay Garrett's avatar
Jay Garrett

StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.

Posted in: Hi-Fi

JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION

Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP

applause awards

Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.

Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.

The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.

We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.

Licensing Information

00000666