The idea of building a no-loss analog preamplifier with its own built-in cutting edge DAC was the basis of the Stellar Gain Cell design imperative. Add any analog or digital source to Stellar’s input, a power amp and speakers to its output, and music filled with rich textures and toe-tapping energy surprise and delight even the most critical Audiophile.

At this instrument’s heart is the analog Gain Cell. Developed in the early 2000’s by PS Audio founder Paul McGowan, the Gain Cell elegantly solves the fundamental problem facing preamp designers. Volume control. Nearly all analog preamplifiers use additional sonically-degrading elements inserted in the signal path to control volume. These impediments to the signal path’s purity range from simple potentiometers to exotic stepped attenuators, relays, solid state switches, ladder networks, transformers, light dependent resistors. All share intrusive elements in the signal path. The Gain Cell eliminates this problem without additional circuitry in the signal path by varying its gain in response to front panel controls.

Integrated into this analog preamplifier is a stunning, digital to analog converter. Based on industry leading Sabre32 bit Hyperstream architecture, Stellar DAC features a fully balanced Class A analog output stage with multiple power supplies, independent jitter-reduced inputs, DSD, I2S, and asynchronous USB.
Together, the Stellar Gain Cell preamplifier and DAC make musical magic.

Features:

• Class A balanced analog preamplifier
• Full function DAC
• Class A headphone output
• Remote control
• Fixed or variable DAC mode
• 2 output 12 volt triggers

Analog Preamplifier:

• One balanced analog input
• Three single ended analog inputs
• Analog Gain Cell stage
• Fully balanced input to output
• Balanced XLR analog output
• Single ended RCA analog output
• Home theater bypass
• Direct coupled without any capacitors in output signal path

Digital To Analog Converter:

• Four digital inputs
• I2S input
• Digital Lens technology
• Native Mode
• Three user selectable digital filters
• Compatible with PS Audio DMP for SACD playback in DSD
• DSD direct through I2S
• 192kHz asynchronous coax input
• 192kHz asynchronous USB
• 96kHz asynchronous TOSLINK input 
• Single and double rate DSD
• CPLD input (FPGA) lowers jitter, waveshapes, reduces propagation delay
• Native mode standard
• No added Sample Rate Conversion
• High current class A hybrid output stage
• Passive output filter lowers transient distortion
• Direct coupled without any capacitors in output signal path
• High bandwidth output stage -3dB 60kHz
• Low jitter clocks
• High Current oversized analog power supply
• 7 voltage regulators
• High speed power supply diodes
• Massive 15,000 mFd low ESR capacitors
• ESS Hyperstream

Available in Black or Silver.

Specifications:

• Unit Weight:  13.5 lbs [6.1 kg] / Shipping Weight:  17 lbs [7.7 kg]
• Unit Dimensions:  17” x 12” x 3” 

Power Requirements:

• Input Power:  Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
• Power Consumption:  20W
• Mains Power Input:  IEC C14
• Fuses:   100V T250V-2.0AH (2A Slow Blow),  120V T250V-1.6AH (1.6A Slow Blow),  230V T250V-1.0AH (1.0A Slow Blow)
• Accessories Included:  US (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions),  Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version),  UK (BS1363) (230V version)

Analog Inputs:

• RCA:  3 stereo pair
• XLR:  1 stereo pair

Digtial Audio Inputs:

• I2S:  1 PCM (384KHz max),  DSD64 DSD128,  Compatible with DirectStream Transport SACD handshake for DSD playback
• Coax:  2 PCM (192KHz max)
• Optical: 1 PCM (96KHz max)
• USB:  PCM (384KHz max),  DSD64 (DoP) DSD128 (DoP)
• Format:  PCM, DSD

Analog Audio Outputs:

• RCA:   (Analog Unbalanced) 1 stereo pair
• XLR:  (Analog Balanced) 1 stereo pair
• Headphones:  One 1/4" headphone connector front panel

Analog Performance:

• Gain: 12dB +/-0.5dB
• Maximum Output:  20 Vrms
• Sensitivity:  5.3Vrms
• Input Impedance:  7KΩ single ended RCA,   100KΩ Balanced XLR
• Output Impedance:  100Ω single ended RCA,   200Ω balanced XLR
• Frequency Response:  20Hz – 20KHz +0/- 0.25dB,   10Hz – 100KHz +0.1/-3.0dB
• Noise:  20-20KHz <-90dBV
• S/N Ratio:  1KHz >110dB (max output)
• Channel Separation:  1KHz >90dB
• Input Separation:  1KHz >90dB
• THD&IM:  1KHz < 0.025%,   20-20KHz < 0.05%

Headphone Performance:

• Output power @1% THD:  300Ω 300mW,   16Ω 3.25W
• S/N Ratio 1kHz Noise:  >95dB (max output),   <-80dBV
• THD & IM 1Vrms out:  300Ω <0.05%,   16Ω <0.06%
• Output impedance:  <4 Ω

Features:

• Volume Control:  0-100 (1/2 and 1dB steps, 80dB total range)
• Balance Control:  24dB each direction in 1/2dB steps
• Home Theater Mode:  Assignable to any analog input,   Adjustable (in setup) to any level
• Polarity (phase) Control:  Digital sources only
• Filter Control:  3 selectable digital filters (PCM digital sources only)
• Trigger Output:  (3.5mm 5-15VDC) 2
• Remote Control:  Yes. Infra Red