PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier
As I write this review of the PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier ($2499), I’m listening to Charles Lloyd’s Trio, (with Julian Lage and Zakir Hussain), a marvellous sounding Blue Note recording that enables you to ponder how music and band chemistry can alleviate the noise of the day. The Stellar Phono Preamplifier is paired with a Vincent SV-500 Integrated Amplifier and the brand new Audio Technica AT LP2022 60th Anniversary Turntable (review forthcoming), a Phasemation PP-300 Phono Pickup Cartridge and Alta Audio Alyssa Loudspeakers; finally, the dynamics of sound or acoustics play an important part in the overall experience. I mention my context because, in audio, subjectivity is king and sound is its substance. To create your sound you need to research, maybe save up a little money, play with components and be patient.
Recently, I came upon a video of an experienced recording engineer who spent almost twenty minutes criticizing vinyl and its sound, about all the things that can go wrong with the vinyl listening experience, cracks, pops, dust, bad recording, turntable performance in general, phono stage and the like. I listened to everything he mentioned and he made a compelling argument for compact discs and above all, streaming as the best way to listen to music. I thought about my system and how much time and effort (and money) I’ve spent searching for a sound I was comfortable with and thoroughly enjoyed. It made me realize the passion with which we create our subjective listening and I believe says a lot about who we are psychologically. But onto the Stellar Phono Preamplifier, a component that will be at the heart of your turntable sound. Big thanks to Audiophilia’s Karl Sigman and PS Audio for making it possible for me to listen to this component.
If you’re reading this review you probably already know what a phono stage is and does, but for those that may have questions: a phono stage is a component that amplifies the signal from your turntable (through your cart or stylus that goes to the turntable tonearm to the circuitry of your turntable) so this sound signal can then be received by your sound system.
An external phono stage is generally of better sound quality than turntables with an already integrated phono. There are many good integrated phonos, but the general rule is that external is better sound quality and that it allows you to have a “better fit” for loading carts and their measurements, i.e. the number of ohms, Moving Magnet (MM) or Moving Coil (MC) cartridges (high output or low output for MC carts).
Specifications
Unit Weight: 21.6 lbs. (9.8 kg)
Dimensions: 17”W x 13”D x 3.5”H (43cm x 33.02cm x 8.25cm)
Inputs: RCA (unbalanced) MM, MC.
Outputs: RCA and XRL (one stereo pair each)
Gain: MM: 44dB, 50dB, 56 dB. 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.
First impressions
My first experience with PS Audio was with the Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier (with phono stage). It’s still one of the most versatile, clear-sounding, fun, and easy-to-listen components I’ve ever laid my hands on—I was a little bit sad when I returned it. I remember the punch and neutrality of that little amp; I couldn’t explain how such an affordable phono stage sounded so smooth paired with MM carts like the Ortofon Red, Blue, 2M 78, and 2M Mono. A great deal if you are looking for a value-added integrated amplifier with all the works.
Also, let us not forget that PS Audio started with a phono design as its first product (in 1975) and since then they’ve been making truly standout audio components.
The Stellar comes in Black or Silver, I received the latter. As always with PS Audio, the Stellar was shipped with care. You would be surprised how this is not always the case with other companies and their high-end products. A hefty phono stage (twenty-one pounds), with a solemn fascia, clean, reserved, and elegant design. A simple mute, input, gain, and loading LED display, with the well-known blue PS Audio emblem to the left (on-off light indicator). In the back, there are two sets of outputs, one balanced XLR (which I also connected to the PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier XLR connection with Pangea Audio Interconnects) and the gold-platted RCA connections. For the inputs, you get separate sockets for MM and MC carts with manual custom loading for the latter (allows you to select any setting between 1 and 1000 ohms), and a trigger, a simple but complete design for the vinyl enthusiast.
The remote control is something to be admired—since there are no manual controls (except for the manual MC 1-1K ohms feature on the back) everything is selected via the remote, which is pretty cool. My first impression was of a kid with a new toy and having the remote to change the loading and gain settings is practical and fun.
When you turn on the Stellar, the control immediately is set to “Mute”—this button is the largest button on the control so it comes in handy when changing carts and gain. As I mentioned, the buttons correspond with the loading and cart selection of the standard 47k ohms for MM, and for MC cartridges 47Ω, 60Ω, 100Ω, and 200Ω. There are six levels of gain, for the MM: 44dB, 50dB, 56dB, and for the MC: 60dB, 66dB, and 72 dB. The various loading capacity of carts can produce subtle changes in their sound, with these gain settings the dB you are looking for with each cart comes alive. The gain setting makes a smooth ride available at your fingertips.
PS Audio comments: 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 a remote control so users can select between two turntables, or adjust cartridge loading and gain settings from the comfort of their chairs.
Engineer Darren Myers, the creator of the Stellar phono, set out to find his sound, he talks a lot about his objectives and design in several videos on the PS Audio site. In summary, Myers wanted tonal balance and a good-sounding experience more than just good measurements. He comments “[At first] The goal was to create a phono stage that creates the illusion, where you can be tricked into thinking, wow, that is real, that is in front of me, it’s the way this album should sound. So I designed a phono stage that had very low distortion, and very good measurements”. However, after finishing the product, he didn’t like the sound, so he completely redesigned it.“I threw out all the measurement gear […] So I started to play around with the amount of feedback in every stage, and I quickly realized the sound was getting better the lower I took the feedback, so I struck this balance with the amount of feedback that was applied […] I forgot about designing and I just started listening”
PS Audio, on the circuitry:
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.
You get a sense of what Myers was talking about; measurements are important of course, but if you get the chance to go for a specific sound, your sound, then you should go for it, a lesson for every audiophile. Measurements are significant for many reasons, but at the end of the day, it’s how you want your system to sound. I’ve been lucky enough to listen to audio gear and explore the different sounds of components, and I can say many times higher cost isn’t necessarily a better product. So, did PS Audio and Myers create a product worthy of the name and the cost ($2499)? The simple answer is yes, they created a component that lives up to the hype. For comparison, I listened to other costly phonos and more affordable ones, and there’s something that stands out with the Stellar: it’s very quiet and the sound is one of complete clarity, especially with MM carts, perhaps the best I’ve listened to.
Components Used
Turntables
-Mark Levinson No.5105
-Audio Technica AT LP2022
Phono Stage
-PS Audio Stellar
-Ifi iPhono3 Black Label
-Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
Amplifiers
-PS Audio Stellar Strata (XLR connection)
-Vincent SV-500 (RCA connection)
-Cambridge Audio AXR100 (RCA connection)
Carts
-Phasemation PP-300 (MC).
-Audio Technica: AT-VM95E-Elliptical, AT-VMN95SH-Shibata (MM).
-Ortofon: Blue, Red, Mono (all MM).
Front fascia detail.
The Stellar Phono Sound
The only issue I had with the Stellar (otherwise it fits completely in the sound experience I’m looking for, more on this later): there was a high pitch noise when I had the MC cart installed, I was positive it wasn’t the gain setting and it took me a while to figure out that the orientation of some of my cables, power cord and interconnects was the main issue. And the owner's manual wasn’t much help with this issue: If you can hear a hum or buzzing noise coming from your speakers and it goes away when muting your Stellar Phono, verify that you have selected the proper gain setting for your cartridge. High noise could be a sign of the gain being set too high. Also, make sure that the grounding wire from your turntable (if it has one) is connected to the binding post on the rear panel of the Stellar Phono. But, after this problem, it was smooth sailing.
As if I needed more motivation to play with vinyl, this phono stage stepped up my LP listening time. I will not use the word “transparent” to describe its sound, that does the Stellar a disservice, I’ll say its clarity blew me away. I can comment on the speed retrieval of information from the record is just superior to any other phono I’ve listened to with a MM.
The Alva Duo from Cambridge Audio ($349) is a phono I use to compare other phono preamps because of its low noise and neutral sound. The Stellar made the Alva sound uninteresting or as some might say too “blah”. On the other hand, the ifi IPhono3 Black Label ($999) which is a very good phono stage, my everyday use phono, also was too bright compared to the Stellar, but comparing it, the subtlety of a chamber orchestra sound or a full symphonic blare, the instrument separation and the ability to attack of the Stellar made me sit and stare in awe.
Case in point, is the famed 1981 Carlos Kleiber’s DG recording of Brahms Symphony No. 4, with the Vienna Philharmonic (180g Vinyl Reissue), as Audiophilia editor Anthony Kershaw comments in his review of said recording: The Vienna Phil excel in every department, but this very good recording (on exceptionally quiet vinyl) showcases the clarinets, horns, and trombones, especially. So many deft touches here, and strong rhythmic moments, there. The timbral world this orchestra inhabits is perfect for Brahms. I think the oft-used word is ‘Brahmsian’. The intensity and information retrieval of this vinyl was something very different from what I am accustomed to. The PS Audio made Kleiber’s masterpiece sing with a full soundstage and pristine glow.
Next up was Danish guitarist and composer Mikkel Ploug with “Balcony Lullabies” a lovely solo jazz guitar with an ethereal feel. Ploug’s playing likens that of a drifter that happens to describe what he sees, playing with constant arpeggios and sliding through the entire guitar neck. He shines in this album, and the tenderness with which he plays is palpable. The Stellar Phono opened up the reverb in his guitar with ease and as a guitarist in a distant past, echoes of nostalgia followed in my mind.
Quick to respond to some scuffs on any vinyl, this phono stage, will let you know if you have a dirty or scratched record, so clean your LPs thoroughly.
Conclusion
Why should I buy a $2499 phono stage, when I can get one for free with an affordable turntable or an external one for fifty dollars or less? I see no issues with this logic. You can enjoy your music without spending more money on your system, like our before-mentioned engineer, ten bucks for a streaming service (free if you don’t mind commercials) and you’re set. Again, no problem with this thinking process. However, remember the word I used, “subjectivity”? Well, it is because of that concept we can have an experience different than the other. If I want to listen to my albums with pristine clarity and a phono stage that doesn’t get in the way of the music, the PS Audio compliments the music in a way that will surprise you. For me there’s no doubt, I am saving up for this phono stage—the Stellar is well worth it.
Further information: PS Audio
