PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC – Black – One Owner – Excellent Condition
PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC – Black – One Owner – Excellent Condition – A$1,795
A superb opportunity to acquire the highly regarded PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC in the sought-after Black finish, offered from one owner and presented in excellent condition.
The Stellar Gain Cell DAC is far more than simply a DAC. It combines a high-performance digital converter with a genuinely sophisticated fully balanced Class A analogue preamplifier and high-quality headphone amplifier, making it an exceptionally versatile centrepiece for a serious two-channel system.
The real beauty of the Stellar is PS Audio’s proprietary Gain Cell volume control. Rather than relying on a conventional potentiometer or attenuator in the audio signal path, the Gain Cell varies the gain electronically, preserving the purity of the analogue signal path. The result is a beautifully clean, dynamic and musical presentation.
Key features include:
• High-resolution DAC supporting PCM up to 24-bit/384kHz
• DSD64/DSD128 support
• USB, coaxial, optical and I²S digital inputs
• Fully balanced analogue circuitry
• XLR and RCA analogue connectivity
• Three selectable digital filters
• Dedicated high-quality headphone amplifier
• Remote-controlled volume and source selection
• Home Theatre Bypass function
• Sophisticated analogue Gain Cell volume control
• Substantial, beautifully constructed PS Audio Stellar chassis
Sonically, the Stellar has developed a strong following for its combination of resolution, musicality, dynamics, natural tonality and impressive three-dimensional soundstaging. It manages to deliver plenty of detail without becoming analytical or fatiguing, while the analogue preamplifier section is sufficiently accomplished that this can genuinely serve as the control centre of a high-end system.
It is also an exceptional value proposition on the used market. Instead of purchasing a separate DAC and preamplifier – and then adding another box, power supply and pair of interconnects – the Stellar provides all of these functions in one beautifully engineered component.
The independent reviews have been particularly enthusiastic:
Positive Feedback described the Stellar as “Sheer Audio Perfection!” and concluded that it was a “keeper” and came “very highly recommended.”
AudioFi rated it 9/10 for sound and 10/10 for value, praising the remarkable amount of performance and functionality PS Audio managed to incorporate into a single chassis.
Headphone.Guru was similarly enthusiastic, praising its huge soundstage, high resolution, musicality and analogue-like presentation.
Reviews:
Positive Feedback:
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ps-audio-stellar-gain-cell-dacpreamplifier/
AudioFi:
https://audiofi.net/2017/12/a-stellar-dac-from-ps-audio/
Headphone.Guru:
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1118/PS_Audio_Stellar_Gain_Cell_DAC_Review.htm
One owner | Black finish | Excellent condition | Serious audiophile component
$1,795 ono Provided with a 3 month Warranty
A particularly attractive proposition for anyone looking to take a significant step up in digital performance while simplifying their system at the same time.
Original PS Audio documentation is available here:
https://www.richersounds.com/content/product_files/StellarGainCellDACManualRevB.pdf