M700 Amplifier
The Stellar M700 mono amplifiers are a massively powerful engine capable of effortlessly driving demanding loudspeaker loads to concert levels.
Enjoy an unheard of level of control and command from your loudspeakers with the Stellar M700, one of the most extraordinary under $5,000 power amplifier pair ever crafted. With its mighty 700 watt engine connected to any sized loudspeaker, the M700 monoblocks deliver extraordinarily effortless linear headroom that seems to go on forever. Dynamics like you’ve rarely experienced before. Slam, control, toe-tapping pacing, and music’s subterranean depths are effortlessly delivered to any loudspeaker from the most efficient to the most demanding. Revel in rich layers of fine, full detail you might have been missing before Stellar. Marvel at the deep, extraordinary, wall-to-wall soundstage. Control your loudspeakers as never before. Effortless. Lush. Stellar.
DESIGN
The hybrid approach used in the Stellar M700 Power Amplifier takes advantage of the best traits technology has to offer. Its all important input stage relies upon the Analog Cell to provide a zero-loss interface between the preamplifier and DAC, as well as imprint the amp’s sonic character. The perfected analog voltage is then converted into the high current output needed to effortlessly drive your loudspeakers.
APPLICATION
The M700 is Stellar’s best. Rated at 350 watts into 8Ω and 700 watts into 4Ω, a pair of these placed on any loudspeaker brings forth the lush, rich, and soul-satisfying power of two completely independent power blocks with headroom to spare. The listening experience with the M700 starts feet tapping and smiles breaking out. One listen to a hugely loud and complex musical passage effortlessly rendered by the M700 pair and you’ll know you made the right choice.
OVERVIEW
Rated at 350 Watts into 8Ω and 700 Watts into 4Ω, the M700 combines the best of two worlds: ultra linear, high-current, Class D technology for the output stage; a discrete, Class A MOSFET based Analog Cell for the all-important input stage. The Stellar M700 captures the rich, full-bodied essence of recorded music and presents it to your loudspeakers with authority and grace, never a hint of glare or unnaturalness. The M700 is faithful to the music like few amplifiers are. Listeners are constantly surprised at the width and depth of the M700’s soundstage; its preservation of the smallest details in reverb, room acoustics, and musical overtones; its commanding presence without intrusion; its delicate handling of subtle shadings; its authority as it grabs hold of the loudspeaker and breezes through even the most complex musical passages.
THE ANALOG CELL
Stellar’s design imperatives — affordable pricing and uncompromised sonics — were major challenges solved by the invention of a unique new circuit christened the AnalogCell. Nothing in the design of a power amplifier is more important than its input stage when preserving music’s finest nuances. Knowing full well that the input stage determines sonic character, the AnalogCell has been employed to preserve the rich details found in music. The AnalogCell is the heart of the M700’s musicality, where rich overlaid layers of music’s inner details are preserved even in the most complex orchestral crescendos. As a proprietary, fully differential, zero feedback, discrete, Class A MOSFET circuit, hand-tuned to capture the smallest micro dynamics without sacrificing the loudest macro dynamics music has to offer, the AnalogCell makes all the difference in preserving music’s magic.
OUTPUT STAGE
The Stellar M700 has a massive power supply and ultra-linear, high-wattage power amplification stage based on a modern Class D ICE module. Class D output stages provide near-perfect linearity, low distortion, and high efficiency. Modern Class D amplifiers, like the type used in Stellar, extend high frequencies to about 50kHz. Human hearing limitations are 20kHz, though most listeners rarely have hearing exceeding half that. Providing excellent frequency extremes, low distortion, high efficiency, high damping factor, and a generous and powerful output of 700 watts into the most common loudspeaker loads of 4Ω, the M700 is nothing short of breathtaking. The massively powerful nature of the M700 works well with any loudspeaker—big or small—providing huge amounts of headroom and effortless sound quality for even the most demanding orchestral crescendos.
Features
- MONO POWER AMPLIFIER PAIR
- ZERO-LOSS ANALOG CELL INPUT
- POWERFUL MOSFET OUTPUT STAGE
- RCA SINGLE-ENDED INPUT
- XLR “TRUE” BALANCED INPUT
- 350 WATTS PER 8Ω CHANNEL
- 700 WATTS PER 4Ω CHANNEL
- 2Ω STABLE
- < 0.1% THD 20Hz 20kHz AT RATED POWER
- DAMPING FACTOR = 1100
- FRONT PANEL STANDBY
- VERY LITTLE HEAT PRODUCTION
- DUAL, SOLID, COPPER PLATED OUTPUT POSTS
- 27 LBS
- INPUT 12v TRIGGER
Specifications
Stellar M700 Mono Amplifier |
|
| Unit Weight | 13 lbs [5.9 kg] (each) |
| Unit Dimensions | 17”W x 3”H x 12”D (13″D w/connectors) 17”W x 6”H x 12”D (Stacked) |
| Shipping Weight | 16.5 lbs [7.5 kg] (each) |
| Shipping Dimensions | 22”W x 8”H x 17”D (each) |
| Color Options | Black Silver |
| Voltage Options (Factory set only) |
Japan 100V North America 120V Europe/Asia/Australia/New Zealand 230V |
| Mains Power Inputs | IEC C14 |
| Idle Power Consumption | 23W |
| Accessories Included | US (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions) Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version) UK (BS 1363) (230V version) |
| Audio Inputs | RCA (Unbalanced) XLR (Balanced) |
| Speaker Outputs | Copper base nickel plated binding posts (2 pair) |
| DC Trigger Input | 3.5mm 5-15VDC |
| Warranty | 3 years parts and labor |
Signal |
|
| Gain | 30.5dB +/-0.5dB |
| Sensitivity for rated output power | 1.6V |
| Noise | 1kHz@700 Watts < -105dB |
| Input impedance | Unbalanced 50KΩ Balanced 100KΩ |
| Output Impedance | 50Hz, 2.8VRMS <0.007Ω |
| Damping factor | 50Hz. 2.8VRMS 8Ω >1100 4Ω >550 |
| Frequency Response | 2.8VRMS into 4Ω 10Hz – 20KHz +/- 0.5dB 10Hz – 50KHz +0.1/-3.0dB |
THD&IM |
|
| 1KHz, 1W/4Ω | <0.02% |
| 10-20KHz, 1W/4Ω | <0.02% |
| 10-50KHz, 1W/4Ω | < 0.05% (90kHz BW) |
| 1KHz, 87.5W/4Ω | < 0.015% |
Output Power |
120vac mains, 1kHz, 1% THD |
| 8Ω | 350W minimum |
| 4Ω | 700W minimum |
| 2Ω | Stable for musical transients |
Reviews
All PS Audio components I’ve encountered (or owned) are incredibly well-built and the Stellar line is no exception. They have a weight, look and feel that exudes quality belying their sub-$5,000 USD total cost and puts me in mind of gear I’ve reviewed costing double this price point.
AudioStream Rafe Arnott
I was really able to hear the amplifiers’ real attributes: astonishing and accurate bass, with sparkling highs that had an almost tube-like sound. How did they accomplish this in such a small footprint for such an amazing price?
Positive Feedback Pete Davey
I could not fault the sound of the Gain Cell DAC — its neutrality and honesty were captivating, leading to compelling listening. During my time with it and the pair of M700s, I always felt they had total control over whatever music was thrown at them, in whatever format. From the understated nuance of an unaccompanied lute to the bombast of a symphony orchestra going full tilt, the laid-back drive of dub or the pulse of electronica, I not once felt deprived of any of the music’s emotion, rhythm, dynamics or detail. Whether using planar, stand-mounted or floorstanding speakers, I knew…
The Audio Beat Guy Lemcoe
PS Audio has been on a roll. That roll continues with the Stellar M700 power amplifier. I have had nothing but good experience with PS Audio products; still, with the Stellar M700, my expectations were exceeded. Having little sound of its own, the M700 delivered well-balanced reproduction that was always faithful to the music… the Stellar M700s came ever so close to matching the sound of my high-end reference monoblocks, Theta Digital’s Prometheuses—which are ranked Class A in “Recommended Components” and, at $12,000/pair, cost four times as much as the PS Audios. The Stellar M700 is an…
Stereophile Robert Deutsch
I’ve been putting source material through the rig with the PS Audio Stellar M700’s Mono amps for a month and I have been consistently impressed with their musicality and get up and go. These powerful PS Audio Stellar M700 Mono amplifiers are capable of effortlessly driving demanding loudspeaker loads to concert levels. This may be the first higher-priced component I can’t live with out… but wait, there’s more! At $2995 per pair, they’re not higher priced, just bit of a stretch for my thin wallet. If my 83 dB sensitive speakers have anything to say about it, these review amps have found a…
Stereo Times Greg Voth
In the Stellar M700, PS Audio has designed excellent sounding mono amps that can be the foundation of a reasonably priced high-end audio system. The analog input section is as expansive and natural sounding as the ICE amp modules are powerful and accurate. The resulting sound is a wonderful balance between expression and precision, allowing the amps to disappear within the audio chain. They clearly take on the signal they are fed, allowing a great front end to weave its audio magic.
Positive Feedback Gary L Beard
There are many excellent-sounding amplifiers in this price range, but few can put out anywhere near as much power as the Stellar M700, and most of those that do don’t sound as refined. PS Audio says that the Stellar M700 is one of the most extraordinary monoblocks ever sold for less than $5000/pair. I have to agree. The Stellar M700 is my new favorite entry-level high-end power amplifier.
SoundStage! Roger Kanno
AWARDS
2019 Class A Ranking from Stereophile
2018 Recommended Component Award from Stereophile
