1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 166678-144705

PS Audio Stellar Phono

Evening,

Curious as to if anyone has experienced a PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp? Did you try it at home or at a dealer? I'm considering trying one out for an in home demo to put up against my Musical Surroundings Nova III with the linear power supply to see how it compares. Any insight into either the in home trial is even worth it at this close of a price point? Michael Fremer's views on the Stellar is what has me very very curious and has me considering moving over. I'm a fan of my P10 from PS Audio and feel the Stellar Phono may be the next step. 
j-wall
naimfan
166 posts
 
@firenze - 

Please post your impressions!  What's the rest of your system?  

I had a Schiit Mani that was replaced with a Rega Aria Mk3.  The resulting improvement was substantial - as you'd hope and expect given the price difference.
j-wall's avatar
j-wall OP
395 posts
 
@firenze please keep us in the loop. I haven't decided if I'm going modwright or ps audio!
firenze's avatar
firenze
12 posts
 
My system is not too impressive right now, but I'm slowly growing.
  • Audio Technica AT-LP-DCVTA-EB (Drop collab) turntable
  • Sumiko Songbird cartridge
  • Jadis Orchestra Black Amplifier
  • JBL 590 & Focal Chorus 706 (I go back and forth)
The folks at PS Audio said it is made-to-order so I should expect to get it within 1-2 weeks from now.
tarheelneil51
37 posts
 
I have one of the very first Stellar Phono Preamps ever shipped.  It may be the most significant improvements I have ever made to my system.  Very neutral sounding, great detail retrieval and localization, and a perfect match for my VPI Prime Signature w/ Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.  
scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hi guys

A friend of mine bought a Stellar phono stage to try and he also had a Pass Labs XP-17 he got from Reno hifi. He had them both in the same system at the same time. Turntable is an VPI HW19 with an Eminent Technology ET2 airbearing tonearm with an Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum cartridge. I asked him which one he like better, the Stellar or the XP-17 and he said the Stellar was better and not by a small margin. The Stellar was only about one week old when I asked him that question. 

After he he had the Stellar for about two months, I asked him that same question. He told me that it’s much better now. He said that it needs about 100 hours of break in. He said it’s like a different preamp and it sounds amazing. 

Scot
More to discover