Stellar Phono Preamplifier
Our finest phono preamplifier in the company’s 45-year history. All analog from input to output, this stunning addition to the Stellar line will bring new life to your vinyl in ways you never dreamt possible.
PS engineer Darren Myers wiped the tradition slate clean by hand-fashioning a new approach to capturing all the magic trapped in the grooves of our records. The results are breathtaking. Music that might once have been locked into the confines of our loudspeakers is suddenly free. Stellar phono features dual inputs that can support either a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge. Cartridge loading and gain options are easily adjusted from your listening position via the supplied remote control. Input to output, Stellar is a fully discrete FET design with extraordinarily low noise and high overload capabilities so even the wildest dynamics from the punchiest cartridges sail through Stellar with no limitations or compromise whatsoever. If you love vinyl you’ll love Stellar.
DESIGN
Phono preamplifiers at anywhere near this price range are almost always integrated circuit based, but not Stellar. Input to output, Stellar is a fully discrete FET design with extraordinarily low noise and high overload capabilities so even the wildest dynamics from the punchiest cartridges sail through Stellar with no limitations or compromise whatsoever. Stellar Phono stands out in a crowded field of conventional IC designs. Its sound is rich, warm and enticing as only vinyl through hand-tuned class-A circuitry can be.
APPLICATION
Stellar is the perfect phono preamplifier for any resolution system or cartridge type. From the lowest output moving coil to the most dynamic and punchy moving magnet, Stellar Phono will deliver incredible performance, low noise, and world class sonics. Use Stellar as your reference preamplifier in the highest end systems in the world. Stellar comes complete with remote control so users can select between two turntables, or adjust cartridge loading and gain settings from the comfort of their chairs.
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
When you first pick up Stellar Phono Preamplifier you’ll notice its solid build and heft. Every inch of Stellar suggests quality: from its rear panel connectors, cartridge loading facilities, to its internal high current oversized power transformer. The internal shielding and build quality provide Stellar with up to 70dB of ultra low noise gain for MC cartridges as low as 0.15mv. On its rear panel find facilities for two inputs for two tonearms selectable from remote control, as well as both single ended and balanced outputs to match any preamplifier.
Features
- MOVING MAGNET AND COIL
- FIXED AND VARIABLE LOADING
- 70dB ULTRA LOW NOISE GAIN .15mv CARTRIDGES
- 2x INPUTS FOR 2x TONEARMS
- SINGLE-ENDED BALANCED INPUTS
- DISCRETE FET DESIGN
- CLASS ‘A’ ANALOG CIRCUITRY
- NO ICs IN SIGNAL PATH
- 20v RMS OUTPUT
- PASSIVE RIAA CURVE
- HAND SELECTED DISCRETE COMPONENTS
- DC COUPLED FROM INPUT TO OUTPUT
- LOW NOISE PRE + POST VOLTAGE REGULATION
- NO COMPLIMENTARY FET TRANSISTORS
- OVERSIZED POWER TRANSFORMER
- REMOTE CONTROL
Specifications
STELLAR PHONO PREAMPLIFIER |
|
|---|---|
| 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 |
Reviews
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
The Stellar Phono preamplifier projects an expansive sound stage, with the ability to extend wall to wall and create the illusion of the venue imagined by the artist.
John Hoffman Positive Feedback
Stellar offers the best performance for price, often outshining some far more expensive competitors. This preamp should be welcomed by experienced vinyl fans as well as newcomers to this marvelous medium. You would have to spend a lot more to seriously challenge what this affordable and great-looking component delivers; its ability to change critical settings from your easy chair is a real bonus. Highly recommended.
Lawrence Devoe Tone Audio
The PS Audio Stellar phono preamplifier, once again, offers an incredible amount of features for the money–just like the PS Audio phono preamplifiers of yore. It’s also incredibly neutral, which makes it the perfect phono stage for evaluating cartridges. I found myself continually swapping out the ZYX Bloom 3, the Hana ML and the Sumiko Starling I reviewed for The Occasional No. 6 because the Stellar was so adept at revealing the differences between them.
Marc Phillips Part Time Audiophile
