DESIGN
APPLICATION
Technology
OVERVIEW
PS Audio’s first product was a phono preamplifier that took the Hi-Fi world by storm in 1975. Its designers, Paul and Stan, labored for years over every circuit detail with one goal in mind—making musical magic. Stellar Phono shares that same ethos. Stellar Phono is the finest preamplifier PS Audio has ever built in its 45 year history and sets a new standard within the industry. It is a triumph of performance and value that you’ll instantly recognize from that first needle drop, as music emerges from a velvet blackness, filling the room as if there were no speakers. Stellar handles all cartridge types and employs no ICs in the signal path. Its all discrete, class A analog design produces over 20V rms output for unparalleled headroom and dynamics.
THE INSIDE SCOOP
The art of design is a careful balance between the measurement lab and the listening room. The hundreds of hours of design and audition resulted in a unique amalgam of time honored technology coupled with daring innovation. Stellar Phono is an all discrete FET design that uses a passive RIAA curve, hand selected premium components, and is direct coupled from input to output. Its ultra low noise discrete pre and post voltage regulation stages, coupled with low internal feedback, offer increased transparency and openness rarely found in instruments anywhere near this price.
CONSTRUCTION
The art of design is a careful balance between the measurement lab and the listening room. The hundreds of hours of design and audition resulted in a unique amalgam of time honored technology coupled with daring innovation. Stellar Phono is an all discrete FET design that uses a passive RIAA curve, hand selected premium components, and is direct coupled from input to output. Its ultra low noise discrete pre and post voltage regulation stages, coupled with low internal feedback, offer increased transparency and openness rarely found in instruments anywhere near this price.
STELLAR PHONO PREAMPLIFIER |
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Unit Weight | 21.6lbs. (9.8 kg) |
Unit Dimensions | 17”W x 13”D x 3.25”H (43cm x 33.02cm x 8.255cm) |
Shipping Weight | 25.1lbs (11.4 kg) |
Shipping Dimensions | 22”W x 8”H x 17”D (55.88cm x 43.18cm x 20.32cm) |
Color Options | Black Silver |
Voltage Options (Factory set only) |
Japan 100V North America 120V Europe/Asia/Australia/New Zealand 230V |
Mains Power Input | IEC C14 |
Idle Power Consumption | 26W |
Fuses | 100V: T250V-2.0AH (2A Slow Blow) 120V: T250V-1.6AH (1.6A Slow Blow) 230V: T250V-1AH (1A Slow Blow) |
Accessories Included | US (NEMA 5-15P) (100V/120V versions) Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version) UK (BS1363) (230V version) Remote Control |
Audio Inputs | RCA (Unbalanced) MM,MC |
Audio Outputs | RCA (Unbalanced) 1 Stereo Pair XLR (Balanced) 1 Stereo Pair |
DC Trigger | 3.5mm 12VDC (2) |
Performance |
All measurements are with both channels operating, gain set to low, and balanced outputs. Input frequency is 1kHz. |
Gain | MM: 44dB, 50dB, 56dB MC: 60dB, 66dB, 72dB |
Input Loading | MM: 47KΩ (100pF) MC: 60Ω, 100Ω, 200Ω, 47KΩ, Custom 1-1KΩ |
Output Impedance | Unbalanced <200Ω Balanced <200Ω per leg |
Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20KHz +/- 0.25dB |
THD | 0.5V out @ 1kHz: <0.01% |
Maximum Output | @1%THD: 24VRMS |
Overload Margin | @1kHz: >22dB |
S/N Ratio | MM: >82dB A-Weighted MC: >74dB A-Weighted |
Interchannel Crosstalk | >74dB |
Power Consumption | 26W |
The midrange on this phono preamp is as open, uncongested, transparent, and revealing as that of any phono preamp I’ve heard at any price.
I recommend a listen to the Stellar to anyone in the market for a new phono preamp, regardless of price. I don’t think I’ve ever written that before.
Michael Fremer
Stereophile
John Hoffman
Positive Feedback
Lawrence Devoe
Tone Audio
Marc Phillips
Part Time Audiophile