PS Audio StellarGold DAC - silver (Ex-demo)
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Once in a great while, an exciting new product design direction comes along that really sets a new standard for performance within a price range. Such is the all new StellarGold DAC, a product that will raise the bar for any digital to analog converter at anywhere near the price.
What makes the new StellarGold DAC unique is its use of multiple parallel DACs. Each channel of the StellarGold is built by paralleling 4 high resolution digital to analog converters, then feeding the combined output of these DACs into an all new discrete class A analog output stage. The results are nothing short of stunning. The use of multiple high-precision DACs to form one ultra-linear channel has the advantage of lowering noise and channel crosstalk while at the same time increasing linearity, dynamic range, and resolution beyond what any single DAC technology can achieve. One listen to this amazing new DAC and you'll know why it easily outperforms single DAC designs.
Octo DAC, Diamond performance
The Stellar Gold DAC is an extraordinary feat of engineering. By combining the outputs of four high-performance D to A converters for each channel, the StellarGold DAC achieves extraordinarily low noise and distortion that rivals any DAC at any price. Combine its state-of-the-art performance with its fully discrete, wicked fast, class A gain stage and you find StellarGold to represent one of the best sounding components in your system. Come learn more about this extraordinary DAC.
Design
The new StellarGold DAC, with its advanced parallel DAC architecture, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs. By using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out. This is because the probability of all DACs having the exact same non-linearity error at the same digital input value is nearly zero. The results are nothing short of breathtaking. One listen to this DAC, and you'll know it's in an entirely different category from others at anywhere near its price range.
Application
PS Audio's StellarGold DAC can become the centerpiece of a high-resolution 2-channel audio system. Using StellarGold's balanced or single-ended outputs into our matching StellarGold preamplifier or, using its built-in lossless volume control, the StellarGold DAC can become the heart of a true state-of-the-art high-performance audio system at an affordable price.
Technology
Parallel DAC Technology
In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits. First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced). When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the 4 DACs are averaged together, the results are an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion. The combined resolution effectively surpasses that of any single DAC of similar design on the market, creating an extraordinary audio experience that only a few people have yet to experience. We can't wait for you to hear StellarGold in your system.
Perfectionist Build Quality
The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms. To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit's capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators. A tall challenge given StellarGold's affordable pricing. One look inside at this beautifully hand-crafted device and you'll see how the PS Engineering team honored Darren's original vision using only the highest quality parts and the lowest noise designs. The StellarGoild is truly a work of art that deserves your attention.
State-of-the-art Performance
For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system. Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home. The quality of that music is directly impacted by the device that converts those digital bits into analog audio we can use to power our speakers. That is the job of the DAC. And DACs are sensitive and highly sophisticated electronic circuits that are affected by any number of issues, including jitter, noise, distortion, resolution, and quantization errors, to mention just a few. When it comes time to find the perfect DAC for your system, it makes sense to turn to a company like PS Audio which places sonic performance and the joy of musicality above all else. If you truly want the next big step in your high-end audio system, consider StellarGold for your your digital playback. We don't think you can get close at anywhere near its price.
Features
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Four parallel DACs per channel
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Designed around ESS 9038 Pro technology
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Dead quiet signal to noise ratio of >127dB referenced to 4V RMS
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SINAD >112dB referenced to 4V RMS
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PCM to 768kHz
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DSD to 256 (11.2mHz)
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Exceptional imaging and soundstage
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Discrete hybrid output stage
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Fully balanced design
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Multiple low impedance power supplies
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Low jitter clocking
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I2S, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial inputs
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High slew rate, low feedback, class A output stage
Future Audiophile
May 29, 2024
It has been a lot of fun to spend time with the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC, as it has provided a few really eye- (and ear-) opening moments that allowed me a chance to really hear what is on the master tape of some of my favorite music.
Jay's Iyagi (YouTube)
July 21, 2024
WOW! PS Audio Stellar Gold "PARALLEL" DAC is an R2R DAC KILLER
Frank Lechtenberg, Fidelity Magazine
July 1, 2024
What stands out is the meticulousness and sovereignty across all frequency ranges. There is substance at the bottom and resolution without harshness at the top
The Absolute Sound: Adrian Alexander Reports
May 17, 2024
It brought out sounds and nuances and different instruments that I hadn’t heard before…PS Audio did it right. The DAC’s incredible. It sounds great
Hi-Fi News
February 8, 2024
Here the StellarGold gets to show off wide dynamics; there was deep, clean bass next to a startlingly crisp portrayal of Smith's at times forcefully played instrument. The depth of the soundstage impressed, but not as much as the transient attack or the listenability of even the most shrilling, violent blasts of brass
Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff
March 23, 2023
Our big impression was of a low noise level yielding a huge soundstage with believable performer placement.
Jesús González-Monreal - Audiophilia
May 1, 2025
The StellarGold sets itself apart not just in soundstage and imaging, but in the effortless way in which it delivers your music without a filtering glare, and even more importantly, without any noise or distortion. It’s a fantastic product from PS Audio, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m not sure this is going back
Awards
Product Specifications
Physical
Unit Weight
22.5 lbs (10.2 kg)
Unit Dimensions
17 × 3 × 12 in (43.18 × 7.62 × 30.48 cm)
Shipping Weight
26 lbs (11.8 kg)
Shipping Dimensions
22 × 8 × 17 in (55.88 × 20.32 × 43.18 cm)
Color Options
Black, Silver
Power Requirements
Input Power
Model-specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption
30W
Digital Audio Inputs
I²S
2 × HDMI
Coaxial S/PDIF
2
Optical (TOSLINK)
1
USB Type-B
1
Supported Sample Rates
Optical (TOSLINK)
PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–96kHz
Coaxial S/PDIF
PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–192kHz, DoP64
I²S
PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–768kHz, DoP64/128/256, DSD64/128/256
USB
PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–384kHz, DoP64/128, DSD64/128
Analog Audio Outputs
Output Stage
Discrete fully balanced JFET/BJT hybrid
Connectors
RCA (Single-Ended), XLR (Balanced)
Maximum Output Level
4Vrms (Balanced)
2Vrms (Single-Ended)
Output Impedance
100Ω (Balanced)
200Ω (Single-Ended)
Frequency Response
20Hz–20kHz (±0.1dB)
10Hz–70kHz (-1dB)
THD+N
<0.002% @ 1kHz (full output)
IMD
<0.002% (CCIF, full output)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
>127dB (referenced to 4Vrms)
Data Handling
Supported Formats
PCM and DSD
PCM Sample Rates
44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD Support
Up to DSD256 (11.2MHz) via DoP and Native DSD
Digital Volume Control
Yes
DAC Chip
ES9038PRO
I²S Digital Input
Connector
HDMI
Format
PCM, DoP, and native DSD
USB Digital Input
Connector
USB Type-B
Format
PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), and Native DSD
Transfer Mode
Asynchronous
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