Description
PS Audio StellarGold DAC
The PS Audio StellarGold DAC is a product that will raise the bar for any digital to analog converter at anywhere near the price.
It’s an exciting new product design direction that really sets a new standard for performance within a price range.
What makes the new StellarGold DAC unique is its use of multiple parallel DACs. Each channel of the StellarGold is built by paralleling 4 high resolution digital to analog converters, then feeding the combined output of these DACs into an all new discrete class A analog output stage. The results are nothing short of stunning.
The use of multiple high-precision DACs to form one ultra-linear channel has the advantage of lowering noise and channel crosstalk while at the same time increasing linearity, dynamic range, and resolution beyond what any single DAC technology can achieve. One listen to this amazing new DAC and you’ll know why it easily outperforms single DAC designs.
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Reviews
- Future Audiophile – “It has been a lot of fun to spend time with the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC, as it has provided a few really eye- (and ear-) opening moments that allowed me a chance to really hear what is on the master tape of some of my favorite music.“
- Hi-Fi News – “Here the StellarGold gets to show off wide dynamics; there was deep, clean bass next to a startlingly crisp portrayal of Smith’s at times forcefully played instrument. The depth of the soundstage impressed, but not as much as the transient attack or the listenability of even the most shrilling, violent blasts of brass.”
Features
- Four parallel DACs per channel
- Designed around ESS 9038 Pro technology
- Dead quiet signal to noise ratio of >127dB referenced to 4V RMS
- SINAD >112dB referenced to 4V RMS
- PCM to 768kHz
- DSD to 256 (11.2mHz)
- Exceptional imaging and soundstage
- Discrete hybrid output stage
- Fully balanced design
- Multiple low impedance power supplies
- Low jitter clocking
- I2S, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial inputs
- High slew rate, low feedback, class A output stage
The StellarGold Preamplifier is a remarkably musical instrument. It is an excellent uncompromised interface between your sources and power amplifier.
Designed by Darren Myers, the StellarGold outperforms preamplifiers at anywhere near its price.
Preamplifiers play a critical role in any separates audio system, strategically positioned between sources of music: CD players, phono preamps, DACs, tape recorders and tuners – and your power amplifier – the preamp serves essential roles of control and isolation.
Control is simple in concept, but extraordinarily difficult to design in an acoustically transparent manner. Control duties such as input switching, volume, balance, and amplification can place unwanted acoustic thumbprints on the music if not designed with extraordinary care.
The StellarGold is one amazing preamplifier that we can’t wait for you to hear in your system.
Design
The new StellarGold DAC, with its advanced parallel DAC architecture, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs.
By using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out. This is because the probability of all DACs having the exact same non-linearity error at the same digital input value is nearly zero.
The results are nothing short of breathtaking. One listen to this DAC, and you’ll know it’s in an entirely different category from others at anywhere near its price range.
Application
PS Audio’s StellarGold DAC can become the centerpiece of a high-resolution 2-channel audio system.
Using StellarGold’s balanced or single-ended outputs into our matching StellarGold preamplifier or, using its built-in lossless volume control, the StellarGold DAC can become the heart of a true state-of-the-art high-performance audio system at an affordable price.
Parallel DAC technology
In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits.
First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC’s maximum output of 4 volts (balanced).
When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the 4 DACs are averaged together, the results are an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion.
The combined resolution effectively surpasses that of any single DAC of similar design on the market, creating an extraordinary audio experience that only a few people have yet to experience.
Perfectionist build quality
The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms.
To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit’s capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators.
A tall challenge given StellarGold’s affordable pricing. One look inside at this beautifully hand-crafted device and you’ll see how the PS Engineering team honored Darren’s original vision using only the highest quality parts and the lowest noise designs. The StellarGoild is truly a work of art that deserves your attention.
State-of-the-art performance
For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system.
Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home. The quality of that music is directly impacted by the device that converts those digital bits into analog audio we can use to power our speakers.
That is the job of the DAC. And DACs are sensitive and highly sophisticated electronic circuits that are affected by any number of issues, including jitter, noise, distortion, resolution, and quantization errors, to mention just a few.
When it comes time to find the perfect DAC for your system, it makes sense to turn to a company like PS Audio which places sonic performance and the joy of musicality above all else. If you truly want the next big step in your high-end audio system, consider StellarGold for your your digital playback. Our team don’t think you can get close at anywhere near its price.
FAQ’s
- What makes the StellarGold DAC different from other DACs? The StellarGold DAC uses PS Audio’s advanced digital architecture and a high-end analog output stage to deliver exceptional transparency, low noise, and natural musicality.
- What digital inputs does the StellarGold DAC support? It supports USB, I²S (HDMI), coaxial, and optical inputs, allowing connection to streamers, CD transports, and music servers.
- Does the StellarGold DAC support high-resolution audio formats? Yes, it supports high-resolution PCM and DSD playback, ensuring compatibility with modern digital music libraries.
- Can the StellarGold DAC be used directly with a power amplifier? Yes, it features a high-quality analog output stage that allows it to be used directly with a power amplifier or active speakers.
- Is the StellarGold DAC suitable for both streaming and physical sources? Absolutely—its versatile input options make it ideal for both digital streaming setups and traditional disc-based systems.
Specifications
Physical:
- Unit Weight: 22.5 lbs [10.2 kg]
- Unit Dimensions: 17″W x 3″H x 12″ D [43.18 cm x 7.62 cm x 30.48 cm]
- Shipping Weight: 26 lbs [11.8 kg]
- Shipping Dimensions: 22″W x 8″H x 17″D[55.88 cm x 20.32 cm x 43.18 cm]
- Color Options: Black / Silver
Power Requirements:
- Input Power: Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
- Power Consumption: 30W
Digital Audio Inputs
- I2S (2), Coax (2), Optical, USB
Sample Rates
- Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz
- S/PDIF (Coax): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz; DoP64
- I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 705.6kHz, and 768kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256
- USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 384kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DSD64, and DSD128
Analog Audio Output:
- Output Stage: Discrete fully balanced JFET BJT hybrid
- Connector: RCA single ended, XLR balanced
- Output Level High, Maximum: 4 VRMS Balanced / 2 VRMS Single Ended
- Output Impedance: 100Ω / 200Ω
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.1dB; 10Hz-70kHz, -1dB
- Max Output: 4V RMS Balanced, 2V RMS single-ended
- THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale): <0.002% at full output
- IMD: <0.002%, CCIF, at full output
- SNR: >127dB, referenced to 4V RMS
Data Handling:
- Format: PCM or DSD
- Sample Rate (PCM): 44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
- Data Rate (DSD): Up to DSD256 (11.2MHz) via DoP and Native DSD1024
- Digital Volume Control: Yes
- Analog Conversion Method: ES9038PRO DAC
I2S Digital Input:
- Connector: HDMI
- Format: PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as native DSD on 12S inputs
- USB Digital Input:
- Connector: USB “B” Type
- Format: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD
- Transfer Mode: Asynchronous
