PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC

PS Audio StellarGold DAC

The StellarGold DAC represents a significant advancement in the realm of digital-to-analog conversion, setting a new standard for devices within its price range. What distinguishes this DAC from others is its innovative use of multiple parallel DACs. Each channel is meticulously crafted by paralleling four high-resolution digital-to-analog converters, and the combined output is then channeled through an all-new discrete class A analog output stage. The outcome is nothing short of remarkable, as this approach minimizes noise, reduces channel crosstalk, and concurrently enhances linearity, dynamic range, and resolution, surpassing the capabilities of single DAC technologies. A single session with the StellarGold DAC makes it evident that it effortlessly outperforms its counterparts based on single DAC designs.

The design philosophy of the StellarGold DAC revolves around its sophisticated parallel DAC architecture, leveraging performance benchmarks that elude single DAC configurations. The strategic use of multiple DACs in parallel serves to mitigate individual non-linearities inherent in each DAC. The likelihood of all DACs exhibiting identical non-linearity errors at the same digital input value is nearly nonexistent, resulting in an averaging effect. The outcome is truly awe-inspiring. Listening to the StellarGold DAC provides an unmistakable sense that it occupies an entirely different echelon compared to other offerings within its price bracket.

In practical application, the StellarGold DAC from PS Audio emerges as the focal point of a high-resolution 2-channel audio system. With the flexibility of utilizing its balanced or single-ended outputs into the matching StellarGold preamplifier, or by employing its built-in lossless volume control, the StellarGold DAC effortlessly assumes the role of the core component in a state-of-the-art, high-performance audio setup – all achieved at an eminently affordable price.

PS Audio StellarGold DAC Specifications:

Physical:

Unit Weight:  22.5 lbs [10.2 kg]

Unit Dimensions: 17"W x 3"H x 12" D [43.18 cm x 7.62 cm x 30.48 cm]

Shipping Weight: 26 lbs [11.8 kg]

Shipping Dimensions: 22"W x 8"H x 17"D [55.88 cm x 20.32 cm x 43.18 cm]

Color Options: Black, Silver

Power Requirements:

Input Power: Model specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz

Power Consumption: 30W

Digital Audio Inputs: I2S (2), Coax (2), Optical, USB

Sample Rates: Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz

S/PDIF (Coax): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz; DoP64

I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 705.6kHz, and 768kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256

USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 384kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DSD64, and DSD128

Analog Audio Output:

Output Stage: Discrete fully balanced JFET BJT hybrid

Connector: RCA single ended, XLR balanced

Output Level High, Maximum: 4 VRMS Balanced, 2 VRMS Single Ended

Output Impedance: 100‌Ω / 200Ω

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.1dB; 10Hz-70kHz, -1dB

Max Output: 4V RMS Balanced, 2V RMS single-ended

THD+N @ 1KHz (full scale): <0.002% at full output

IMD: <0.002%, CCIF, at full output

SNR: >127dB, referenced to 4V RMS

Data Handling:

Format: PCM or DSD

Sample Rate (PCM): 44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz

Data Rate (DSD): Up to DSD256 (11.2MHz) via DoP and Native DSD1024

Digital Volume Control: Yes

Analog Conversion Method: ES9038PRO DAC

I2S Digital Input:

Connector: HDMI

Format: PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as native DSD on 12S inputs

USB Digital Input:

Connector: USB "B" Type

Format: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD

Transfer Mode: Asynchronous