Boulder, Colorado, USA | 2020 – 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!
This product qualifies for our risk free in-home trial in the continental United States when purchased directly from PS Audio. And, trade in and save. Let us repurchase your old equipment at its full and original retail price. We’ll give it a good home and make sure you have the best power in the world. Just click the green Trade Up and Save button above these words to take advantage.
Suggested retail price: $2,999
Features
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