PS Audio StellarGold DAC Review | Adrian Alexander Reports...

Adrian reviews the PS Audio StellarGold DAC.

Adrian's Reference Equipment:
Mclntosh MC 462 Quad Balance Power Amplifier
Mclntosh C2600 Tube Pre-Amp
Eminent Technology LFT 8 Speakers
Gustrad R26 Dac / Streamer
SW-10 Audio File Ethernet Switch
PS Audio Power Plant 15
VPI Scout Turn Table
Audio Technica Turn Table
Hana Blue Umami Blue MC Cartridge
PS Audio Stellar Phono Pre Amp
Kirmuss Audio Record Clearer
Morrow Speaker Cables
Morrow XLR/ RCA Cables
2-REL Ti Sub Woofers

Who is Adrian Alexander?
I began my journey at the tender age of 12. Initially, it was just a small snippet of sound, perhaps a simple melody or a voice recording.

In my teenage years, I experienced the revolution of cassette tapes and the joy of being duplicated and shared among friends. The 1980s brought the era of compact discs, before turn of the millennium marked a significant shift as the digital age fully embraced me and MP3s became the norm, where I became more portable, fitting into pocket-sized devices that could carry thousands of me at once. I was shared across the internet, downloaded, and streamed on various platforms.

In my 40s, the rise of streaming services took center stage, and I found myself being accessed from the cloud, eliminating the need for physical storage. My quality improved, and I became part of playlists, enhancing the daily routines of people around the globe.

As the years rolled on, technology continued to advance. I witnessed the emergence of high-resolution audio, immersive 3D sound, and the integration of artificial intelligence in audio processing. Now, at the age of 63, I reflect on a lifetime of melodies, spoken words, and ambient sounds. From the crackling vinyl records to the seamless streaming of today, I have been a witness to the ever-changing landscape of audio technology.

What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

[Mark-rwkw]

The ESS 9038 Pro chip used in this DAC is a single chip with 8 channel audio.

[DBravoer]

Superb review, Adrian! Your descriptions of what you hear are specific, useful, AND still very enjoyable. Keep it up! TAS needs to send you a bunch more stuff!! ☺️🤌

[kdomster]

I wish they have used 2 of mono configuration AK4499 as it has nicer sound signature than Sabre

[goodsound]

This was a bit superficial. When you say there are 7 filters, we can see the number on the display, but you could at least say out loud the whole name of the filter. When you said you preferred the first one, you didn't say if there was a big difference between those filters, or not.

[AlexReusch]

As a owner of the PS Audio DirectStream DAC MKII and the BHK PreAmp I can just confirm: They are really nice people. Just look at Paul's regular YouTube videos, use "Ask Paul" to submit a question or simply visit the PS Audio Forum, where not only users but also engineers and Paul himself discuss and answer questions. These all run under the category "The Hi-Fi Family". So you are really threated as family member. For example: Ted Smith, the developer of the DS MKII has openly shared the whole design ideas and concepts on the forum, during the development phase of the product. And every question of users has been answered, many times by himself. Even if you don't own a single PS Audio device, you are welcome to participate, share photos of your system, express what you like or prefer (also if it is not PS Audio). As long as you are respectful, you are welcome. That's almost unique.

[gtrguyinaz]

Nice comprehensive review.. my issue is that we are now at 10, 000 when you add in CD player etc… I would like to see a comparison between an all in one like my modded Oppo and this path….

[DrNoahBoddy]

At the end, excellent gear sells itself, through innovative focus, and superb performance.
I thank a2, on sharing his experience with this DAC. Now I’m off to get as much overtime work to secure me, one!

[bigblueocean]

I've just subscribed to the magazine for ten bucks for a year. Its cheaper than food!

[bigblueocean]

Still enjoying your considered approach Adrian.

[blubberlips]

Nice review, and what a handsome fella!

[carrizzle]

Man that LCD display looks crappy. It looks like the designer didn't take into account how many pixels where actually on the display and the words are actually being cutoff by the end of the display. That doesnt scream Gold standard to me unless his unit is scratch and dent or just defective.

[MrBonger]

I like that the remote isn’t one of those little Apple remotes

[CarlVanDoren]

Prefer long narrow DAC'S 😊
W4S 10th edition DAC2V2SE
Saves space on audio rack 😊

[adrianalexander]

Are you asking what cable I used? I use the audio quest, dragon HDMI cable

[delstanley]

One of the reasons you enjoyed Todd Rundgren here was that he was as adept in the studio as he was behind an instrument. His background is more active in producing than performing. I don't know if he is an engineer, but his innovations involved that kind of technical aspect as well as writing computer software. In the early days in the sounds of "studio stuff" in the 70s Rundgren probably had a hand in it, or was behind it. He produced for many groups and recordings. When the studios were going to full blast electronics (good or bad) production and distribution he was one of the pioneers. So the effect you heard above didn't surprise me. I remember him giving an address to the students at Berklee, it may have been commencement, I saw it on Youtube about five or six years ago. Thanx for the video.

[colanitower]

PS Audio may not have dealers but there are dealers who sell PS Audio. Not many but there are some out there

[msgetaways]

Sweet . . . ordered one to audition against the Schiit Yggdrasil+

[jerrysnead]

Nice review, what did you use for the I2S source?

[marct]

Hmm, I owned the original Stellar Gain DAC/Preamp and it just didn't sound very good to me with 16/44.1 content. It sounded like there was some distortion. But higher resolutions like 24/96 sounded much better. I sold it and got an Anthem STR preamp, which sounds better to me on 16/44.1. Perhaps this Gold version has upped the ante!

[jimromanski]

You started to talk about I2S and digital done right. But I don't think you finished your thought in regards to I2S. I output DSD directly to my PS Audio Directstream MkI DAC and it sounds amazing. I can do this with either a lil 50 dollar converter box or an OPPO that I bought a OPPO Mod I2S card for. Was this part of where you were going? I have to agree with your buddy that digital done right can sound just as good as my best vinyl. Nice review!