PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier

PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier 

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.

Based on a unique all discrete FET topology, 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.

Stellar Phono 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.

When PS engineer Darren Myers set his sights on building the best phono stage our company has ever produced, he had his work cut out for him. With the advantage of modern upgraded FET semiconductors and a fresh approach to the art of phono preamplification at his side, Darren wiped the tradition slate clean by hand-fashioning a new approach to the challenge of amplifying and preserving 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. What you hear fills the room with a rich tonality that has always been vinyl’s promise, but rarely fulfilled to the degree Stellar has achieved.

Stellar phono features dual inputs that can support either a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge, or a two-tonearm set up to enjoy the best of each at the user’s discretion. Cartridge loading and gain options are easily adjusted from your listening position via the supplied remote control.

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.

If you love vinyl you’ll love Stellar.

• Moving Magnet and Moving Coil preamplifier
• Fixed and variable cartridge loading adjustable from remote control
• Up to 70 dB of ultra low noise gain for MC cartridges as low as 0.15mv
• Two inputs for two tonearms selectable from remote control
• Single ended and balanced outputs
• All discrete FET design
• Class A analog circuitry throughout
• No ICs in signal path
• Up to 20V rms output for unparalleled headroom and dynamics
• Passive RIAA curve for seamless performance
• Hand selected premium discrete components
• DC coupled from input to output for unfettered bass
• Ultra low noise discrete pre and post voltage regulation stages
• Low internal feedback for increased transparency and openness
• No complimentary FET transistors for lifelike performance
• High current oversized power transformer
• Remote control
• Front panel standby button

Unit Weight

• 1.6lbs (9.8 kg)

Unit Dimensions:

• 17”W x 13”D x 3.25”H

Shipping Weight

• 25.1lbs 

Shipping Dimensions

• 22”W x 8”H x 17”D

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)

Gain

• MM: 44dB, 50dB, 56dB
• MC: 60dB, 66dB, 72dB

Input Loading

• MM: 47K  (100pF)
• MC: 60, 100, 200, 47K, Custom 1-1K 

Output Impedance

• Unbalanced <200
• Balanced <200 per leg

Frequency Response

• 20Hz - 20KHz +/- 0.25dB

THD

• 0.5V out @ 1kHz: <0.01%

Maximum Output

• @1%THD: 24 VRMS

Overload Margin

• @1kHz: >22dB

S/N Ratio

• MM: >82dB A-Weighted
• MC: >74dB A-Weighted

Interchannel Crosstalk

• >74dB

Power Consumption

• 6W 

UK Delivery

• FREE delivery via DPD Local By 12pm on orders to value over £300, including one hour delivery window service 'Predict & Follow My Parcel'.
• Royal Mail Special Delivery By 1pm costs between £5.00 - £10.00 on orders to value under £300, dependent on weight.
• Saturday or Sunday delivery available upon request for supplemental charge.

EU Delivery

• £25 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL Europe by Road service (5-7 days) which provides comprehensive tracking of shipments online.
• £50 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL Europe by Air service  (2-3 days) which provides comprehensive tracking of shipments online.
  Receiver is responsible for the payment of local Duties and Taxes.

USA & Canada Delivery

• Services based on your order being shipped to the U.S. and Canada are calculated as follows:
  £100 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL international 'Day Definite' service per parcel.
  Receiver is responsible for the payment of local Duties and Taxes.

Exceptions

• Not all products are available for order into Europe, USA & Canada

WARRANTY

• Full manufacturer's warranty on all new purchases. Standard warranty is typically 12 months to 2 years with some goods coming with 6 years manufacturer's warranty.
• Goods purchased in UK and EU are covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations.