The Stellar™ Strata™ combines the benefits of an exceptional analog preamplifier, a full-featured state-of-the-art DAC, a stereo 200 watt per channel power amplifier, and a high-resolution streaming module in one gorgeous package. Just add speakers. Have your own source? No problem. Strata offers 3 analog and 5 digital inputs to connect whatever source you need. Strata’s fully balanced analog preamplifier circuitry, state-of-the-art DAC, no compromise high-definition streamer, and Analog Cell™ based power amplifier create an extraordinarily rich, full-bodied musical experience few products can match. The Stellar Strata is the perfect foundation for those unwilling to compromise sound quality. Rich. Lush. Powerful. A music lover’s answer to spiraling cost-no-object equipment without sacrifice.
The idea of combining a cutting edge DAC, full-featured analog preamplifier, high-definition streaming module, and a robust 200 watt per channel power amplifier was the basis of the Stellar Strata™ design imperative. We wanted an easy, simple, no-compromise musical experience whether streaming high-resolution audio from Tidal or Qobuz, exploring the millions of choices on Spotify, or plugging into a Stellar Phono. “Just add speakers” became engineering’s rallying cry. Strata holds true to its promise of easy connectivity. Download the PS Connect app onto your mobile device, point Strata to your home WIFI network, connect your speakers or headphones, and music filled with the rich textures and toe-tapping energy you’ve always hoped for will delight even the most critical music lover.
Audiophiles have long recognized the challenge of interconnecting multiple systems into a single synergistic musical experience. Interconnect choices, power supply options, and chassis isolation requirements all play into the building of a truly musical system—get any one part wrong and the system performance is compromised. Not so with Stellar Strata. The chance for PS Engineering to optimize the audio synergy between Strata’s four separate systems was immediately appealing: eliminate the variability of interconnection issues, voice the entire system as one component, optimize power supplies, control every aspect of sound quality up to the speakers.
At this instrument’s heart is the analog GainCell™. Developed 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. 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, Bob Stadtherr designed, Darren Myer’s voiced, DAC. Based on industry-leading Sabre32 bit Hyperstream architecture, Strata relies upon a fully balanced Class A analog output stage with multiple power supplies, independent jitter-reduced inputs, DSD, I2S, and asynchronous USB.
Once the high definition streaming module or connected source has passed through the Class A analog preamplifier, it’s time to connect to your speakers. Here, engineer Darren Myers used the Analog Cell where he could lavish upon the music the sweet, tube-like quality of Class A biased MOSFETs. Combined with the ruler flat high linearity of Strata’s high current output stage, richly overlayed layers of music’s inner details are preserved even in the most complex orchestral crescendos.
There’s nothing like Strata when it comes to musicality. It’s an all-in-one high-resolution audio solution just waiting for you to connect your speakers. Bring it on!
Overview
- Class A balanced analog preamplifier
- Full function DAC
- Built in streaming services
- Class A headphone amplifier
- 200 watt per channel power amplifier
- PS Connect mobile control app
- Built in WiFi
Preamplifier
- One balanced analog input
- Three single ended analog inputs
- Analog Gain Cell stage
- Fully balanced input to 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 Transport for SACD playback in DSD
- DSD direct through I2S
- 192kHz asynchronous coax input
- 384kHz 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
Power Amplifier
- 100 watts per channel into 8Ω
- 200 watts per channel into 4Ω
- AnalogCell technology
- High Damping Factor
Streaming
- High resolution up to 192kHz
- Tidal
- Qobuz
- Spotify
- Napster
- iHeart Radio
- Music Shares on local network
- DLNA sources
Specifications:
Physical
|
|
| Unit Weight |
21 lbs [9.5 kg] |
| Unit Dimensions |
17” x 12” x 3” |
| Shipping Weight |
25 lbs [11.3 kg] |
| Shipping Dimensions |
23”x 18” x 9” |
Power requirements
|
|
| Input Power |
Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz |
| Power Consumption |
20W idle
50W typical
600W Maximum |
| Mains Power Input |
IEC C14 |
| Fuses |
T250V-250mAH (1/4A Slow Blow) |
| Accessories included |
Remote Control
Line cord(s) US (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions)
Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version)
UK (BS1363) (230V version)
Australia (230V version) |
Analog inputs
|
|
RCA
XLR |
3 stereo pair
1 stereo pair |
|
|
Digital 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) |
| Ethernet |
Wired, 10/100MBPS
1 WIFI, 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
UPnP, Spotify Connect |
| Format |
PCM, DSD |
Analog Audio Outputs
|
|
RCA
Headphones
Speakers |
(Analog Unbalanced) 1 stereo pair
One 1/4" headphone connector
Binding Posts
|
Analog Performance
|
|
Gain
Maximum output
Sensitivity |
12dB +/-0.5dB
20 Vrms
5.3Vrms |
| Input Impedance |
47KΩ single ended RCA
100KΩ Balanced XLR |
| Output Impedance |
100Ω single ended RCA |
| 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 |
Power Amplifier Performance
|
|
| Gain (relative to line output) |
30.5dB |
| Output Power |
8Ω, 1KHz, 1% 120W typical, 100W minimum |
| Output Power |
4Ω, 1KHz, 1% 150W typical |
| Output Power |
4Ω (one channel) 200W minimum |
| Frequency Response |
+/-1dB 20Hz – 20KHz
-3dB 7Hz – 40KHz |
| THD+N |
1KHz, 10W/4Ω 0.02% |
| IMD |
18/19KHz -65dB |
| Speaker Impedance |
4Ω minimum |
| Output Impedance |
50Hz 150 mΩ typical |
| Sensitivity |
@76 1.6VRMS
@100 400m VRMS |
| Channel Separation |
1KHz >90dB |
Features
|
|
| Input Selection |
9 total, 3 analog, 6 digital |
| PS Connect Streaming via free IOS or Android app |
High resolution up to 192kHz
Tidal
Qobuz
Spotify
Napster
iHeart Radio
Music Shares on local network
DLNA sources |
| Volume Control |
0-100 (1/2 and 1dB steps, 80dB total range) |
| Balance Control |
12dB each direction in 1/4dB 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 |
| Network Connectivity |
Ethernet or WiFi built in to Strata |
