I think this turned to be a huge hit for PS Audio, Stellar Phono received excellent reviews all over the world. Multiple friends of mine located in different countries have either bought or are interested in buying one of these.
Great video as always. Looking forward to hearing about your new mono cartridge. I've recently gotten a Miyajima Spirit Mono and couldn't be happier. Some of my best sounding records are now mono. A true mono cart bypasses the surface damage on 60 year old records to reveal a NM presentation from a VG disc.
I bought a Stellar Phono Preamplifier based on Michael Fremer (Analog God)'s observation of a great midrange and value for the money. $1,999 USD when PS Audio had a sale. No regrets. My LPs never sounded better.
Not sure if other posters will agree but I think you should give the EAR 834P and EAR 88pb phono stages a listen if you are interested in standalone phono pres(I currently use the EAR 868 linestage with phono pre identical to the 88pb). I have tried many phono stages before stepping up to the 834P and have since been an enthusiastic devotee of their products. He also makes a solid state phono pre, the 324, that is extremely flexible with loading, etc. and has received rave reviews. Each system is different but from the various turntables/cartridges over the years and system changes I have experienced, the EAR always brought something to the table that was most welcome. Saving my pennies for their 912 fully featured preamplifier and have considered on occasion to sell my soul for their Discmaster turntable.
I’ve had mine for about 3 years now and it’s really good, better than the Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra and the PS Audio New Wave Phono Converter, and something by Schitt. I switch between 2 turntables so having a remote to be able to switch back and forth and change gain/loading is a big plus for me. Still, I have this nagging hum that I can hear from a couple of feet away from my speakers at low gain (gets worse with more gain, MC or MM) which I can’t seem to get rid of, and after trying everything imaginable to me (and actually working through solutions with Darren on the phone), I can’t seem to get rid of it. It’s a minor annoyance that can’t be heard incessantly the music plays, but my previous units never had this issue. Tried swapping cables, separate power line, physically moving it away from everything else, running separate ground wires, termination plugs, power cords, rearranging any cords near it, turning off all electronics around it (I’m in a basement with cinder block walls), removing the ground, even as drastic as unplugging any source input to the unit at all. It’s been sent back to PSA and they replaced the internals but still no difference, so it must be something in my environment but I just can’t get rid of it, so I’m tempted to try the Parasound JC3+ to see if I get a better result, even though it’s not as versatile. I believe you can switch polarity with the JC3+ so that might be the fix,IDK.
Thanks for the great review and pointing out this new phono stage which I hadn’t heard about. I was kind of surprised when you said PS audio because I’m not a fan of their stuff, but I think they might really have something here. I would like to return the favor and mention a phono stage I started hearing rave reviews about on the forums. The Herron VTPH-2A Phono Stage (~$3500). I haven’t heard it myself, but I was surprised by what people were saying. It’s a tube circuitry which I really like and it compares favorably to such well known products like the Manley chinook. Also no dip switches which I don’t like 👍. Ps: Hope you are enjoying your golden ears
Thanks for the review - no, not many reviews of this out here for this. I personally see no need for a remote, because it’s a set-and-forget piece of equipment for me. I wonder how it stacks up to the Parasound JC3+. I had a PS Audio NuWave phono preamp for a short while but found it flat sounding ; that was pre-Darren, I believe. I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS that I rather like. Had the Black Cube, got rid of that too, even though Mike F. liked it.
I got one of these mid 2021 for around $1600 (sale) so I should revise my comment. The remote turned out to be more useful that I thought it would be, because I have two tt, one with an MC cart and the other with a MM cart and I switch back and forth regularly. Sounds really good but I have a hum when I turn up mu preamp that’s quite noticeable that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter what I do; changing cables, power cords, location, power sources. Unplugged all inputs, ran ground wires to tt and preamp, tried ground lift and input shorting plugs, turning off/unplugging unnecessary equipment. After dialoging with Darren and both of us running out of things to try, I’m sending it in for diagnostics.
Didn’t know you had a PrimaLuna? Think I saw one briefly when moving camera to show lp. I have a PrimaLuna Power amplifier w KT150 monsters installed- huge difference from the stock wimpy Chinese EL 34’s!
Thanks for the review! How it sounds comparing to Black Cube SE which you have owned? The Stellar has more functionality but the sound is more important. As far as I know, black cube is hard to beat.
I happened to use the black cube with a custom LPS for close to 2 years and replaced it with the Stellar phono a few months back. Stellar phono is better, I could tell from the start, suddenly the background is quieter, sound is more transparent and bass is clearer, more dynamic. Cartridge is Benz Micro Glider.
My goodness doesn’t make my decision of keeping this thing any easier! In listening for a couple of hours, is it a giant step up from my Rega PhonoMM, I dunno??
Great video, yes indeed there will be a BHK signature phono stage from PS Audio over the next year or so to match the BHK pre and power amps. I think the price will be over $5000, probably closer to $6000.
Great review! Just curious if you have heard the Vincent PHO-8 preamp? I love it but have noticed various reviews on Hoffman and other forums and it is rated sub par to most. Just curious of your opinion....thanks and keep up the great videos 👍
thought about buying vincent products too (was catched by the "nice" look good price and (on a first view) good data too. but after some research i found out that for example the tube in the window is only for visual reasons, it is produced in china from a company that in germany started and said they wanted to make cheap products for everyone (nothing bad about that) but after some videos where people looked inside and said it doesent seem to be good quality and finding 50% of the reviewers in forums saying its crap i thought: ok why risk money in that and maybe having stress when their are so many reliable companys on the market. But i would be interested in finding out more too!
I had the Pho 8 before the Stellar. I liked it and it was a big upgrade from the Project USB I was using. The Pho 8 took away the hum I was having. I bought the Stellar for more control on mc carts. My first impression of the Stellar was more bass and a richer, full sound. I'm happy with it.
It seems like a good phono preamp In that it is clear and detailed. Perhaps the Parasound JC3 + has a little more analog character. If you want tubes that don't cloud the sound but just add a gentle smoothness, the Manley Chinook.
Btw...the Black Cube is not gentle in my system, when it comes to poorer recordings. But i'm guessing it has to do with the rest of my system, which is very very High-End, and i hear deeper into the music/recordings. So the Black Cube and the rest, can sound awful on some recordings. But i DO listen to other stuff, than Audiophile recordings, like hard core/punk, metal and so forth.
@@anadialog I never heard an Era Gold at my place. But I tried once an entry level headphone amplifier from them and it was also not my cup of tea. I am currently testing the Accession MM through their european loaner program and I must say I am liking it a lot, also enjoyed the Reflex M. Anyway, here is a wish that I think would make our audiophile lives much easier: that more companies would offer a "loaner program" so you could easily try their products at your home, in your system :-) Thanks for your review of the ps audio stellar by the way!
Great to see this review, from one of my fav. YT followers. Iv'e been thinking about upgrade my magnificent Lehmann Black Cube SE II ref. Phono Stage, which is in fact a little gem for it's asked priced. Even on the user market, u can make a bargain. Anyways, to upgrade too the next level, i needed some info on various Phono Stages, and the PS Audio here, is one of those iv'e been looking at. I don't see any reason to upgrade from the Cube, if it isn't a significant upgrade. My TT is the beauty of them all (imo), the Rega P8/Apheta II combo, which is all about synergy and foot taping experience (The Rega sound, which i love to death). Owned many many different Rega decks, and found myself sticking with the brand over many years. But my overall system is High-End for sure, and the most expensive in my set-up is, the French (now legendary company) Lavardin. I own the top of the line: Pre/Mono. So an upgrade on my analog front (riaa), is the nest step. The Rega Aria i demo, and settled on the Lehmann os those two (like Michael Fremmer did in a should out with 4 other stages). If i could affords the Rega Aura, it isa the one, but i can't :-( So the PS Audio is defiantly a contender! We will see ;-) Cheers from Denmark
Genuine question: is it even useful to spend 3K€ and more for a Phono preamp knowing it isn't the most impactful link of the chain on sound ? Meaning, the budget can be spent elsewhere in the chain for more impact. I recently picked up a new (discounted) Hegel V10 phono preamp and I was blown away. After that I though : I think I can live with it for the rest of my life and keep upgrading the rest... cartridge, tonearm, amp, speakers. Curious to know you guys thoughts on this.
Thanks for a great review! I have this unit, and I fully agree it that it does not like subpar recordings - they become dull and lifeless - as they were made I suppose. When you have audiophile or good recordings; wow. Personally I am not sure how they can top this phono amp with the higher-end options. Having a lot of PS Audio equipment, this is probably the one of their best achievements in my opinion.
Interesting. Sort of a lukewarm review. I actually ordered one of these a few weeks ago, waiting on delivery. I hope it wows me more than it did you. For the price I'm going to need it to be gold medal worthy.
i think measurements matter, they helped me find the correct gear...however its not as important as listening. listening is the ultimate test no doubt.
If the sound of quality of high quality recordings presents wonderful music to you but mediocre quality recordings do not, I take this as a sign of a great design. For years I have been quite vocal about the quality of the original source material is where we need to put our efforts now. This preamp seems to expose the deficiencies in the source material and to me that makes this preamp an excellent design because it exposes the deficiencies of the recording, mixing and mastering of any given release. Unfortunately it does not make for a wonderful musical experience on every recording.
De fato a música nasce analógica e fica sempre analógica no final. Eu diria que a mídia digital no final do processo é uma roda incompleta de, a depender, 24 pedaços com 24 raios, enquanto a midia analógica é uma ronda inteira "contínua" com todos seus raios.
When i was around 18 in late 70's, i bought what all u.k. mag's agreed was the best phone stage/ preamp under £1000, the Naim 32 /Snaps power supply. Then P.S. Audio bought out the PS IV pre with a phono stage that made the Naim 32 sound lifeless & unmusical ...in direct comparison, at £ G.B. 600. It remained unbeatable for 20++ years against all alternatives under £1000. I expect this Stellar P.S. to be excellent as people say it is. P.S. when i see rca unballanced outputs and XLR outputs without a selector switch, i always doubt it's a true ballanced output as the switchless rca phono outs must just be in parrallel with the XLR' (when no either /or switch is prresent. Of course i may be wrong but if not, i'd prefer XLRs ballanced or not as RCA phonos are not the best connector i.m.o.
Interesting video. I suggest that if you make a review vid, try to make a comparison to a product in the same price class from a different brand. This way the people get a sense of quality in comparison to something else; puts things more in perspective. Even more so if you tested that product extensively as well or know its sound. That makes a review even better.
Yes, that is indeed a good way to proceed but I am not a real reviewer. I don't have constant components coming in. Every once in a while when I get a new piece of gear I test it for a while and then review it.
6:30 Almost all the buttons on the remote are not functions I would need to use at a remote location, seems to create opportunity to change something by accident that would normally be a set it and forget it function. Sorry, but I was left scratching my head on this one. Kind of like the open/close CD tray door remote button, gives the cat some entertainment, but I have to be present at the player to change the disk anyway.
Rule #1 is Listen, in your own home with your own equipment if possible, but Listen.
3 роки тому
yep - and listen to the music , many people think there is supposed to be magic in these boxes.. it's about neutrality if it's going to be a great box.
I agree with you, but .... the price is a KILLER !!!! Price is for an audiophile ... moreover, for a rich audiophile ONLY !!!! I'll NEVER pay that much, even if I would be so sure about quality of the particular piece of equipment !!!! Sorry .... I am not a complete NUT !!!!
£2,495.00 is too rich for my blood. Think its time to see if I can build my own purely analogue phono preamp, with premium parts, and do it for under £100.
I'm sure you could! It would be incredibly difficult to perfect the design on the first attempt though. An immense amount of time went into developing this product so that it sounds unlike anything you've heard before.
@@utub1473 Have you redesigned the RIAA circuit? Tested all the op-amps? Fantastic. Make a product I'll stick to a simple line with as few components as possible, as £2,500 is still too rich for my blood.
Any experience with KR audio p135 preamplifier good phono stage thinking about getting one I think the phono stages overpriced all the products at PS audio overpriced
@@anadialog yeah I'm surprised there isn't any thing on UA-cam much maybe you should contact the company they might lend you one for review strong possibility
@@anadialog why should it be difficult.? there in the Czech Republic Italy's not the other side of the world not sure I understand your logic What about the Ray Samuels f117 Nighthawk know anything about it... any experience or friends. a guy who deals in them could be biased! they are selling for $800 his opinion as good as $3,000 phone strange?
I think components must also be evaluated in connection with the rest of them, and tye circuit design. A single element isn't telling much of the final sound.
@@anadialog Makes sense. 071 itself is a 50c low noise chip. This is why it was selected I think. But it stands apart from musicality. I would never use it preferring a good MC transformer and a FET differential stage (actually, I'm a vacuum tube guy, but able to accept some reasons of practicality).
@@sc0or Largely agree here...just way too overpriced, cause people buy the brand and don't know much more. There's typically was better options than PS Audio...it's just not the 70s anymore. In this instance I assume one could buy a far better product at roughly half the price!
Yes, but I exaggerated the situation. I did had to fight in the beginning, but then she understood. She's a great wife! Remember I got those at half price and had to ask (another) bank loan...;-)
There was very little on the sound quality of this pre amp. You never mentioned the minuses, nor why silver instead of gold. Who is this preamp for? At this price point , what is the competition? Why is it "stellar"? You praised the cube in the past, and even mentioned it in this video, why pay the extra 2000 bucks for this one? Did you try it with an MC cartridge? Who would you recommend this for? I feel that this review is lacking. You made lengthy videos in the past about component matching, and here you made a very long video that never explained the key points above. I hope you see this as constructive, because I enjoy your channel, but sometimes I feel your videos are too long with little real substance.
I see your point and partially agree. The fact is that I have mixed feelings here. Price for me is always paramount and I don't want to repeat my self everytime but these machines are just not good enough for the high price tags the ask but again, that is tye market now if you build a quality component. Hifi people aren't going to consider as good a 1500$ preamp. It's a terrible and true fact that I am battling with as explained in the quest for hifi video I made. The sound is very good, it does not have character since it is very neutral. A similar impression I got with the Lyra kleos. It become stellar with great recordings as I said. The rest is well balanced and I did say that the timbre of the instruments, the transients and dynamics are all top notch. If you weigh each word I said you will have a complete portrait of the machine. No gold because of the price, again. At half the price it would've been gold. The cube is very good and for the money it is unbeatable IMO. But it is in another league. It is not refined and it pushes on the lower register and a little bright highes again IMO.
ANA[DIA]LOG I think ps audio prices are high because of company strategy. They have a staff of 50. They don’t want to sell tens of thousands of pieces like Yamaha or Sony. They can only produce a certain number and maximise their profits. I do believe their gear is expensive and perhaps one could get similar quality at a lower price. But few have the bucks to try out so many components.
@@faludabutt8253 Just overpriced...it's as simple as that. There's no philosophy in being more expensive than need be and other gear way less the equal. Marketing/product placement makes you think like that. And don't forget the bulk of the reviews you see are nothing more than undisclosed paid promotions. We know that's not the case here and I think Guido was being very polite with his 'ho hum' position.
I said much more. Read between the lines. The presentation is somehow flat, clearly compared to other machines I had and have. Nothing sticks out. Good? Bad? Depends. I realized I needed a little more thrill. In fact it is long gone. It's a good preamp but now I do think that that people are right saying it's overengeneered. The EU price is too high, better stuff out there. Here is my current reference: ua-cam.com/video/JwaQCANdZ0c/v-deo.html
If measurement does not matter then where is the reference , as well as , each persons hearing ability coupled with taste are extremely subjective, so this video is also based on you flavour……,in short your review should be branded as entertainment.
AsnI said they do matter, a lot, but not exclusively. Listen to what I say. This same philosophy was expressed by tye engineers of Nakamichi for they top of the line decks. THIS is how you design electronics, not only with numbers. Too many tech forget this and Nakamichi was the pinnacle of hifi technology in their times.
Hello. Have you seen inside this ps audio RIAA preamplifier? not so impressively built! Too many electrolyte capacitors. and it looks cheap. This riaa is overpriced !!
![ANA[DIA]LOG](http://yt3.ggpht.com/50CpmGNilS8aoMlarZVhI_GxRDoZdbj4ZgwCMZXg-Rq2PrEvCytlE6RVyLUrNY-rwE_sAlZ1Zw=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
I think this turned to be a huge hit for PS Audio, Stellar Phono received excellent reviews all over the world. Multiple friends of mine located in different countries have either bought or are interested in buying one of these.
Great sound! I cannot separate how much the phono preamp is contributing, but that's a great analog reproduction sound.
Great video as always.
Looking forward to hearing about your new mono cartridge.
I've recently gotten a Miyajima Spirit Mono and couldn't be happier. Some of my best sounding records are now mono. A true mono cart bypasses the surface damage on 60 year old records to reveal a NM presentation from a VG disc.
Nice!!
I bought a Stellar Phono Preamplifier based on Michael Fremer (Analog God)'s observation of a great midrange and value for the money. $1,999 USD when PS Audio had a sale. No regrets. My LPs never sounded better.
Amazing sound
John Darko did a podcast with Darren Meyers called ‘Beware the Measurements’, which was a fascinating listen, Darren is an interesting guy.
Interesting!
Not sure if other posters will agree but I think you should give the EAR 834P and EAR 88pb phono stages a listen if you are interested in standalone phono pres(I currently use the EAR 868 linestage with phono pre identical to the 88pb). I have tried many phono stages before stepping up to the 834P and have since been an enthusiastic devotee of their products. He also makes a solid state phono pre, the 324, that is extremely flexible with loading, etc. and has received rave reviews. Each system is different but from the various turntables/cartridges over the years and system changes I have experienced, the EAR always brought something to the table that was most welcome. Saving my pennies for their 912 fully featured preamplifier and have considered on occasion to sell my soul for their Discmaster turntable.
I’ve had mine for about 3 years now and it’s really good, better than the Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra and the PS Audio New Wave Phono Converter, and something by Schitt. I switch between 2 turntables so having a remote to be able to switch back and forth and change gain/loading is a big plus for me. Still, I have this nagging hum that I can hear from a couple of feet away from my speakers at low gain (gets worse with more gain, MC or MM) which I can’t seem to get rid of, and after trying everything imaginable to me (and actually working through solutions with Darren on the phone), I can’t seem to get rid of it. It’s a minor annoyance that can’t be heard incessantly the music plays, but my previous units never had this issue. Tried swapping cables, separate power line, physically moving it away from everything else, running separate ground wires, termination plugs, power cords, rearranging any cords near it, turning off all electronics around it (I’m in a basement with cinder block walls), removing the ground, even as drastic as unplugging any source input to the unit at all. It’s been sent back to PSA and they replaced the internals but still no difference, so it must be something in my environment but I just can’t get rid of it, so I’m tempted to try the Parasound JC3+ to see if I get a better result, even though it’s not as versatile. I believe you can switch polarity with the JC3+ so that might be the fix,IDK.
Do check my video on hums: ua-cam.com/video/P-ekwNDGKeA/v-deo.htmlsi=bN2stIDi9PC-sygR
Try also different tubes and cartridges!
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing this music🎶
I think Paul will agree with this review.
Thanks for the great review and pointing out this new phono stage which I hadn’t heard about. I was kind of surprised when you said PS audio because I’m not a fan of their stuff, but I think they might really have something here. I would like to return the favor and mention a phono stage I started hearing rave reviews about on the forums. The Herron VTPH-2A Phono Stage (~$3500). I haven’t heard it myself, but I was surprised by what people were saying. It’s a tube circuitry which I really like and it compares favorably to such well known products like the Manley chinook. Also no dip switches which I don’t like 👍.
Ps: Hope you are enjoying your golden ears
Thanks for the recommendation!!
Great review, explaining good information. Thanks
Thank YOU!
Thanks for the review - no, not many reviews of this out here for this. I personally see no need for a remote, because it’s a set-and-forget piece of equipment for me. I wonder how it stacks up to the Parasound JC3+. I had a PS Audio NuWave phono preamp for a short while but found it flat sounding ; that was pre-Darren, I believe. I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box RS that I rather like. Had the Black Cube, got rid of that too, even though Mike F. liked it.
I got one of these mid 2021 for around $1600 (sale) so I should revise my comment. The remote turned out to be more useful that I thought it would be, because I have two tt, one with an MC cart and the other with a MM cart and I switch back and forth regularly. Sounds really good but I have a hum when I turn up mu preamp that’s quite noticeable that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter what I do; changing cables, power cords, location, power sources. Unplugged all inputs, ran ground wires to tt and preamp, tried ground lift and input shorting plugs, turning off/unplugging unnecessary equipment. After dialoging with Darren and both of us running out of things to try, I’m sending it in for diagnostics.
Didn’t know you had a PrimaLuna? Think I saw one briefly when moving camera to show lp. I have a PrimaLuna Power amplifier w KT150 monsters installed- huge difference from the stock wimpy Chinese EL 34’s!
Yeah! Love it. I am using the KT120.
Cool thanks 🙏 you should review some of the parasound mid range abs high end phono? Curious to hear your thoughts??
Yes, I am interested too in those...maybe in the future...
Thanks for the review! How it sounds comparing to Black Cube SE which you have owned? The Stellar has more functionality but the sound is more important. As far as I know, black cube is hard to beat.
For the money, Black Cube SE II beats most preamps out there!
I happened to use the black cube with a custom LPS for close to 2 years and replaced it with the Stellar phono a few months back. Stellar phono is better, I could tell from the start, suddenly the background is quieter, sound is more transparent and bass is clearer, more dynamic. Cartridge is Benz Micro Glider.
Of course it's better. But as I said for 400€ you get amazing quality. For 3000€ I would expect an abyss between them. Not the case.
@@anadialog that I agree. I’m still keeping my black cube.
My goodness doesn’t make my decision of keeping this thing any easier! In listening for a couple of hours, is it a giant step up from my Rega PhonoMM, I dunno??
Great video, yes indeed there will be a BHK signature phono stage from PS Audio over the next year or so to match the BHK pre and power amps. I think the price will be over $5000, probably closer to $6000.
Excellent sound clips even with YT compression.
Keep the videos coming!! Ciao!
Great review! Just curious if you have heard the Vincent PHO-8 preamp? I love it but have noticed various reviews on Hoffman and other forums and it is rated sub par to most. Just curious of your opinion....thanks and keep up the great videos 👍
Thanks Dan, no I haven't! I will keep my antennas raised!
thought about buying vincent products too (was catched by the "nice" look good price and (on a first view) good data too. but after some research i found out that for example the tube in the window is only for visual reasons, it is produced in china from a company that in germany started and said they wanted to make cheap products for everyone (nothing bad about that) but after some videos where people looked inside and said it doesent seem to be good quality and finding 50% of the reviewers in forums saying its crap i thought: ok why risk money in that and maybe having stress when their are so many reliable companys on the market. But i would be interested in finding out more too!
I had the Pho 8 before the Stellar. I liked it and it was a big upgrade from the Project USB I was using. The Pho 8 took away the hum I was having. I bought the Stellar for more control on mc carts. My first impression of the Stellar was more bass and a richer, full sound. I'm happy with it.
It seems like a good phono preamp
In that it is clear and detailed. Perhaps the Parasound JC3 + has a little more analog character. If you want tubes that don't cloud the sound but just add a gentle smoothness, the Manley Chinook.
Enjoyed your review. May I ask what phono preamp was in your system before the PS Stellar?
The last one before this was the SPL, which I also reviewed.
Btw...the Black Cube is not gentle in my system, when it comes to poorer recordings. But i'm guessing it has to do with the rest of my system, which is very very High-End, and i hear deeper into the music/recordings. So the Black Cube and the rest, can sound awful on some recordings. But i DO listen to other stuff, than Audiophile recordings, like hard core/punk, metal and so forth.
Great review ! Well done. Curious, what Technics TT is that (SL-1200G? ,SL1200GR? ??? ) and what cartridge do you use ?
Thanks! Sl1200G, Lyra Kleos.
Hi Guido, wondering if you ever tried phono pre amps from Graham Slee? I quite like the company philosophy! (And the way they sound :-))
I did have fpr some years the Era Gold V. It didn't get me thrilled I must admit. Maybe other products are better...
@@anadialog I never heard an Era Gold at my place. But I tried once an entry level headphone amplifier from them and it was also not my cup of tea. I am currently testing the Accession MM through their european loaner program and I must say I am liking it a lot, also enjoyed the Reflex M. Anyway, here is a wish that I think would make our audiophile lives much easier: that more companies would offer a "loaner program" so you could easily try their products at your home, in your system :-)
Thanks for your review of the ps audio stellar by the way!
I’ve met Darren Meyer of PS Audio. He’s really proud of his Stellar phono preamp
Cool! Yes, you feel that in the interviews!
@keefer...they are good at marketing hey? Would you expect anything less? 😳
Great to see this review, from one of my fav. YT followers. Iv'e been thinking about upgrade my magnificent Lehmann Black Cube SE II ref. Phono Stage, which is in fact a little gem for it's asked priced. Even on the user market, u can make a bargain. Anyways, to upgrade too the next level, i needed some info on various Phono Stages, and the PS Audio here, is one of those iv'e been looking at. I don't see any reason to upgrade from the Cube, if it isn't a significant upgrade. My TT is the beauty of them all (imo), the Rega P8/Apheta II combo, which is all about synergy and foot taping experience (The Rega sound, which i love to death). Owned many many different Rega decks, and found myself sticking with the brand over many years. But my overall system is High-End for sure, and the most expensive in my set-up is, the French (now legendary company) Lavardin. I own the top of the line: Pre/Mono. So an upgrade on my analog front (riaa), is the nest step. The Rega Aria i demo, and settled on the Lehmann os those two (like Michael Fremmer did in a should out with 4 other stages). If i could affords the Rega Aura, it isa the one, but i can't :-( So the PS Audio is defiantly a contender! We will see ;-) Cheers from Denmark
Did You buy the PS AUDIO STELLAR?
Me? Yes!
Holding down the PS Audio logo button for more than 3 seconds will activate or deactivate the "mute" function.
Cool! Thanks for pointing that out!
Genuine question: is it even useful to spend 3K€ and more for a Phono preamp knowing it isn't the most impactful link of the chain on sound ? Meaning, the budget can be spent elsewhere in the chain for more impact. I recently picked up a new (discounted) Hegel V10 phono preamp and I was blown away. After that I though : I think I can live with it for the rest of my life and keep upgrading the rest... cartridge, tonearm, amp, speakers. Curious to know you guys thoughts on this.
IMO the phono preamp is one of the most important components!
@@anadialog interesting. Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for the show. PS Audio makes awsome gear.
But nothing come on the Lab12 Melto 2 phono pre.
3x In - every Input is adjustable also mono!!!
Nice!
Thanks for a great review! I have this unit, and I fully agree it that it does not like subpar recordings - they become dull and lifeless - as they were made I suppose. When you have audiophile or good recordings; wow. Personally I am not sure how they can top this phono amp with the higher-end options. Having a lot of PS Audio equipment, this is probably the one of their best achievements in my opinion.
Yeah! Thanks for your feedback.
Interesting. Sort of a lukewarm review. I actually ordered one of these a few weeks ago, waiting on delivery. I hope it wows me more than it did you. For the price I'm going to need it to be gold medal worthy.
You're going to really enjoy it, trust me.
i think measurements matter, they helped me find the correct gear...however its not as important as listening. listening is the ultimate test no doubt.
If the sound of quality of high quality recordings presents wonderful music to you but mediocre quality recordings do not, I take this as a sign of a great design. For years I have been quite vocal about the quality of the original source material is where we need to put our efforts now. This preamp seems to expose the deficiencies in the source material and to me that makes this preamp an excellent design because it exposes the deficiencies of the recording, mixing and mastering of any given release. Unfortunately it does not make for a wonderful musical experience on every recording.
Exactly, Bravo!
@@anadialog High praise indeed! Thank you
De fato a música nasce analógica e fica sempre analógica no final. Eu diria que a mídia digital no final do processo é uma roda incompleta de, a depender, 24 pedaços com 24 raios, enquanto a midia analógica é uma ronda inteira "contínua" com todos seus raios.
Have you reviewed the Lyra Delos and Ortofon Cadenza Bronze MC on your SL? Any opinions or recommendations?
Good morning from from Singapore
Hey there!
Did you ever heard from graham slee audio? thinking about buying the era gold phonopreamp and a 3rd opinion would be wonderful :)
I had the Era Gold V. Never thrilled me.
When i was around 18 in late 70's, i bought what all u.k. mag's agreed was the best phone stage/ preamp under £1000, the Naim 32 /Snaps power supply. Then P.S. Audio bought out the PS IV pre with a phono stage that made the Naim 32 sound lifeless & unmusical ...in direct comparison, at £ G.B. 600. It remained unbeatable for 20++ years against all alternatives under £1000. I expect this Stellar P.S. to be excellent as people say it is. P.S. when i see rca unballanced outputs and XLR outputs without a selector switch, i always doubt it's a true ballanced output as the switchless rca phono outs must just be in parrallel with the XLR' (when no either /or switch is prresent. Of course i may be wrong but if not, i'd prefer XLRs ballanced or not as RCA phonos are not the best connector i.m.o.
It's very good but the Audia I recently reviewed is simply miles and Mike's ahead: ua-cam.com/video/JwaQCANdZ0c/v-deo.html
Does this have volume control built in like the older PS Audio GCPH?
Nope!
Interesting video. I suggest that if you make a review vid, try to make a comparison to a product in the same price class from a different brand. This way the people get a sense of quality in comparison to something else; puts things more in perspective. Even more so if you tested that product extensively as well or know its sound. That makes a review even better.
Yes, that is indeed a good way to proceed but I am not a real reviewer. I don't have constant components coming in. Every once in a while when I get a new piece of gear I test it for a while and then review it.
👌👌
Great set up but the Zoom TAC-2 is a weak link.
Better than Perreaux Audiant vp3 prephono?
sound digital- bass boomy- not sure if it is due to the recording or conversion into high res
The tracks are a little like that
@@anadialog you NEED a new recorder otherwise you don't show how good vinyl is. Maybe you could try a few and do a video test?
It' a converter. I had my RME Adi 2 Pro fs but now it's gone in place of the May that does not do A to D. Yes, I am searching...
@@anadialog try a Tascam portable.
@@REX4340 I use a Tascam DR-100 MKIII for recording.
6:30 Almost all the buttons on the remote are not functions I would need to use at a remote location, seems to create opportunity to change something by accident that would normally be a set it and forget it function. Sorry, but I was left scratching my head on this one. Kind of like the open/close CD tray door remote button, gives the cat some entertainment, but I have to be present at the player to change the disk anyway.
Rule #1 is Listen, in your own home with your own equipment if possible, but Listen.
yep - and listen to the music , many people think there is supposed to be magic in these boxes.. it's about neutrality if it's going to be a great box.
I agree with you, but .... the price is a KILLER !!!!
Price is for an audiophile ... moreover, for a rich audiophile ONLY !!!!
I'll NEVER pay that much, even if I would be so sure about quality of the particular piece of equipment !!!! Sorry .... I am not a complete NUT !!!!
That is why it isn't getting gold. If it was half that price....this is always the problem unfortunately....
@@anadialog Thank U 4 your honest opninion !!!!
Try a Tom Evans, they are on a different level.
What kind of deck do you use?
You mean tape deck?
£2,495.00 is too rich for my blood.
Think its time to see if I can build my own purely analogue phono preamp, with premium parts, and do it for under £100.
I'm sure you could! It would be incredibly difficult to perfect the design on the first attempt though. An immense amount of time went into developing this product so that it sounds unlike anything you've heard before.
@@utub1473 Have you redesigned the RIAA circuit? Tested all the op-amps? Fantastic. Make a product
I'll stick to a simple line with as few components as possible, as £2,500 is still too rich for my blood.
Any experience with KR audio p135 preamplifier good phono stage thinking about getting one
I think the phono stages overpriced all the products at PS audio overpriced
Nope, seems very nice though. Give us some feedback if you do!
@@anadialog yeah I'm surprised there isn't any thing on UA-cam much maybe you should contact the company they might lend you one for review strong possibility
I wish, but remember I live in Italy...much more difficult for them...
@@anadialog why should it be difficult.? there in the Czech Republic Italy's not the other side of the world not sure I understand your logic
What about the Ray Samuels f117 Nighthawk know anything about it... any experience or friends. a guy who deals in them could be biased! they are selling for $800 his opinion as good as $3,000 phone strange?
I thought they were in the US, I saw a price in dollars...definitely more easy!
So they have functions only on remote
Fail!!!!!
Yes, I am not a big fan of that either...
It is TL071 based. I doubt this chip can be names an audiophile one. At least not for that money.
I think components must also be evaluated in connection with the rest of them, and tye circuit design. A single element isn't telling much of the final sound.
@@anadialog Makes sense. 071 itself is a 50c low noise chip. This is why it was selected I think. But it stands apart from musicality. I would never use it preferring a good MC transformer and a FET differential stage (actually, I'm a vacuum tube guy, but able to accept some reasons of practicality).
@@sc0or Largely agree here...just way too overpriced, cause people buy the brand and don't know much more.
There's typically was better options than PS Audio...it's just not the 70s anymore. In this instance I assume one could buy a far better product at roughly half the price!
Another expensive piece of equipment that will make the wife angry
The trick is to buy and sell and keep riding all night. Until you find...a gold medal award piece of gear.
@@anadialog I just can't forget your 10000 euro stereo- "my wife hates me now"- the true cost of real equipment :)
Yes, but I exaggerated the situation. I did had to fight in the beginning, but then she understood. She's a great wife! Remember I got those at half price and had to ask (another) bank loan...;-)
@@anadialog Didn't you want to make a video about those speakers after listening for a while?!?! Now would be the perfect time ;-)
There was very little on the sound quality of this pre amp. You never mentioned the minuses, nor why silver instead of gold. Who is this preamp for? At this price point , what is the competition? Why is it "stellar"? You praised the cube in the past, and even mentioned it in this video, why pay the extra 2000 bucks for this one? Did you try it with an MC cartridge? Who would you recommend this for? I feel that this review is lacking. You made lengthy videos in the past about component matching, and here you made a very long video that never explained the key points above. I hope you see this as constructive, because I enjoy your channel, but sometimes I feel your videos are too long with little real substance.
Agreed. I am interested in this phono stage and he left me with more questions than answers.
I see your point and partially agree. The fact is that I have mixed feelings here. Price for me is always paramount and I don't want to repeat my self everytime but these machines are just not good enough for the high price tags the ask but again, that is tye market now if you build a quality component. Hifi people aren't going to consider as good a 1500$ preamp. It's a terrible and true fact that I am battling with as explained in the quest for hifi video I made. The sound is very good, it does not have character since it is very neutral. A similar impression I got with the Lyra kleos. It become stellar with great recordings as I said. The rest is well balanced and I did say that the timbre of the instruments, the transients and dynamics are all top notch. If you weigh each word I said you will have a complete portrait of the machine. No gold because of the price, again. At half the price it would've been gold. The cube is very good and for the money it is unbeatable IMO. But it is in another league. It is not refined and it pushes on the lower register and a little bright highes again IMO.
ANA[DIA]LOG I think ps audio prices are high because of company strategy. They have a staff of 50. They don’t want to sell tens of thousands of pieces like Yamaha or Sony. They can only produce a certain number and maximise their profits. I do believe their gear is expensive and perhaps one could get similar quality at a lower price. But few have the bucks to try out so many components.
Good point
@@faludabutt8253 Just overpriced...it's as simple as that. There's no philosophy in being more expensive than need be and other gear way less the equal.
Marketing/product placement makes you think like that.
And don't forget the bulk of the reviews you see are nothing more than undisclosed paid promotions.
We know that's not the case here and I think Guido was being very polite with his 'ho hum' position.
All those words and you never described how this compares to other components, what you like d about it, or didn’t. Neutral. That’s it?
I said much more. Read between the lines. The presentation is somehow flat, clearly compared to other machines I had and have. Nothing sticks out. Good? Bad? Depends. I realized I needed a little more thrill. In fact it is long gone. It's a good preamp but now I do think that that people are right saying it's overengeneered. The EU price is too high, better stuff out there. Here is my current reference: ua-cam.com/video/JwaQCANdZ0c/v-deo.html
Can not adjust without remote? What a stellar piece of crap!
If measurement does not matter then where is the reference , as well as , each persons hearing ability coupled with taste are extremely subjective, so this video is also based on you flavour……,in short your review should be branded as entertainment.
AsnI said they do matter, a lot, but not exclusively. Listen to what I say. This same philosophy was expressed by tye engineers of Nakamichi for they top of the line decks. THIS is how you design electronics, not only with numbers. Too many tech forget this and Nakamichi was the pinnacle of hifi technology in their times.
Hello. Have you seen inside this ps audio RIAA preamplifier? not so impressively built! Too many electrolyte capacitors. and it looks cheap.
This riaa is overpriced !!
Darren Mayers came up with a different design and it sounds quite fine to me!
I don't like how he sounds
My Onkyo Integra in built amp sound better to me
Too theatrical an introduction. And you speak as if you are talking to a child.
I didn’t feel so much enthusiasm about this gear. Your review like the unit was neural. Please disclose your fav phono-stage
I think I was just tired. The machine is awesome! My favorite...stil has to come...