Description
The PS Audio Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC
The Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC is the perfect foundation for those unwilling to compromise sound quality. Rich. Lush. Powerful. A music lover’s answer to spiraling cost-no-object equipment without sacrifice.
- DESIGN – The idea of combining a cutting edge DAC, full-featured analog preamplifier, high-definition streaming module, and a robust 200 watt per channel power amplifier was the basis of the Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC™ design imperative. We wanted an easy, simple, no-compromise musical experience whether streaming high-resolution audio from Tidal or Qobuz, exploring the millions of choices on Spotify, or plugging into a Stellar Phono. “Just add speakers” became engineering’s rallying cry. Strata holds true to its promise of easy connectivity. Download the PS Connect app onto your mobile device, point Strata to your home WIFI network, connect your speakers or headphones, and music filled with the rich textures and toe-tapping energy you’ve always hoped for will delight even the most critical music lover.
- APPLICATION – Audiophiles have long recognized the challenge of interconnecting multiple systems into a single synergistic musical experience. Interconnect choices, power supply options, and chassis isolation requirements all play into the building of a truly musical system—get any one part wrong and the system performance is compromised. Not so with Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC. The chance for PS Engineering to optimize the audio synergy between Strata’s four separate systems was immediately appealing: eliminate the variability of interconnection issues, voice the entire system as one component, optimize power supplies, control every aspect of sound quality up to the speakers.
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Technology
At this instrument’s heart is the analog GainCell™. Developed by PS Audio founder Paul McGowan, the Gain Cell™ elegantly solves the fundamental problem facing preamp designers. Volume control. Nearly all analog preamplifiers use sonically-degrading elements inserted in the signal path to control volume. The Gain Cell eliminates this problem without additional circuitry in the signal path by varying its gain in response to front panel controls. Once the high definition streaming module or connected source has passed through the Class A analog preamplifier, it’s time to connect to your speakers. Here, engineer Darren Myers used the Analog Cell where he could lavish upon the music the sweet, tube-like quality of Class A biased MOSFETs. Combined with the ruler flat high linearity of Strata’s high current output stage, richly overlayed layers of music’s inner details are preserved even in the most complex orchestral crescendos.
The Inside Scoop
Once the high definition streaming module or connected source has passed through the Class A analog preamplifier, it’s time to connect to your speakers. Here, engineer Darren Myers used the Analog Cell where he could lavish upon the music the sweet, tube-like quality of Class A biased MOSFETs. Combined with the ruler flat high linearity of Strata’s high current output stage, richly overlaid layers of music’s inner details are preserved even in the most complex orchestral crescendos. There’s nothing like the Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC when it comes to musicality. It’s an all-in-one high-resolution audio solution just waiting for you to connect your speakers. Bring it on!
Construction
When you first pick up the Stellar Strata Preamplifier & DAC you’ll notice its solid build and heft. Every inch of Stellar suggests quality: from its rear panel connectors, high definition streaming module, to its internal high-end power amplifiers. Quality input and output connections, as well as beautifully constructed internals, will offer immediate assurance of quality from the very first moment you pull Strata out of its box.
Features
- CLASS A BALANCED ANALOG PREAMPLIFIER
- FULL FUNCTION DAC
- BUILT IN STREAMING SERVICES
- CLASS A HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
- 150 WATT PER CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
- PS CONNECT MOBILE CONTROL APP
- BUILT IN WIFI
- HIGH RESOLUTION UP TO 96KHZ
- TIDAL
- QOBUZ
- SPOTIFY
- FOUR DIGITAL INPUTS
- I2S INPUT
- DIGITAL LENS TECHNOLOGY
- DSD DIRECT THROUGH I2S
- 192KHZ ASYNCHRONOUS COAX INPUT
- 384KHZ ASYNCHRONOUS USB
- HIGH CURRENT CLASS A HYBRID OUTPUT STAGE
Specifications
| Physical | |
| Unit Weight | 13.5 lbs [6.1 kg] |
| Unit Dimensions | 17” x 12” x 3” |
| Shipping Weight | 17 lbs [7.7 kg] |
| Shipping Dimensions | 23”x 18” x 9” |
| Power requirements | |
| Input Power | Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 500W |
| Mains Power Input | IEC C14 |
| Fuses | 100V T250V-2.0AH (5A Slow Blow) 120V T250V-1.6AH (4.5A Slow Blow) 230V T250V-1.0AH (2.5A Slow Blow) |
| Accessories included | US (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions) Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version) UK (BS1363) (230V version) |
| Analog inputs | |
| RCA | 3 stereo pair |
| XLR | 1 stereo pair |
| Digital audio inputs | |
| I2S | 1 PCM (384KHz max) DSD64 DSD128 Compatible with DirectStream Transport SACD handshake for DSD playback |
| Coax | 2 PCM (192KHz max) |
| Optical | 1 PCM (96KHz max) |
| USB | PCM (384KHz max) DSD64 (DoP) DSD128 (DoP) |
| Format | PCM, DSD |
| Analog Audio Outputs | |
| RCA | (Analog Unbalanced) 1 stereo pair |
| Headphones | One 1/4″ headphone connector front panel |
| Analog Performance | |
| Gain | 12dB +/-0.5dB |
| Maximum output | 20 Vrms |
| Sensitivity | 5.3Vrms |
| Input Impedance | 47KΩ single ended RCA 100KΩ Balanced XLR |
| Output Impedance | 100Ω single ended RCA 200Ω balanced XLR |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20KHz +0/- 0.25dB 10Hz – 100KHz +0.1/-3.0dB |
| Noise | 20-20KHz <-90dBV |
| S/N Ratio | 1KHz >110dB (max output) |
| Channel separation | 1KHz >90dB |
| Input separation | 1KHz >90dB |
| THD&IM | 1KHz < 0.025% 20-20KHz < 0.05% |
| Headphone performance | |
| Output power @1% THD | 300Ω 300mW 16Ω 3.25W |
| S/N Ratio 1kHz Noise |
>95dB (max output) <-80dBV |
| THD & IM 1Vrms out | 300Ω <0.05% 16Ω <0.06% |
| Output impedance | <4 Ω |
| Network | |
| WiFi | 100 mbps |
| Ethernet | 100 mbps |
| Power Amplifier | |
| THD & IM | < 0.02% @ 1KHz, 1W/4Ω < 0.02% @ 10-20KHz, 1W/4Ω < 0.05% (90kHz BW) @ 10-50 KHz, 1W/4Ω < 0.01% @ 1KHz, 37.5W/4Ω |
| Output Power | Both channels driven 120vac mains, 1kHz, 1% THD 100W minimum @ 8Ω 200W minimum @ 4Ω Stable for musical transients @ 2Ω |
| Features | |
| Volume Control | 0-100 (1/2 and 1dB steps, 80dB total range) |
| Balance Control | 24dB each direction in 1/2dB steps |
| Home Theater Mode | Assignable to any analog input Adjustable (in setup) to any level |
| Polarity (phase) Control | Digital sources only |
| Filter Control | 3 selectable digital filters (PCM digital sources only) |
| Trigger output | (3.5mm 5-15VDC) 2 |
| Remote Control | Infrared |
