PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 – Flexible and powerful stereo integrated amplifier
According to PS Audio, the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 combines an exceptional analogue preamplifier, a state-of-the-art DAC, a fantastic sounding phono preamplifier with a stereo power amplifier with particularly lush performance.
- PS Audio describes the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 as a solution that offers everything that should characterise a modern stereo integrated amplifier.
When the US HiFi manufacturer PS Audio presented a stereo integrated amplifier from the PS Audio Stellar Series for the first time in spring 2020, it was very careful not to simply call it an integrated amplifier, but rather to speak of the PS Audio Stellar Strata Full Featured Streaming Amplifier. The intention was to make it very clear that this is a particularly flexible product that can combine all the relevant functions of a modern HiFi chain in a compact, elegant form. You could also call it a solution that can be categorised as a just-add speaker.
Of course, this also applies to the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2, the latest generation of this extremely flexible solution from PS Audio. Here too, the US HiFi manufacturer is talking about a solution that combines an exceptional preamplifier, a state-of-the-art D/A converter and a fantastic-sounding phono preamplifier with a stereo power amplifier with plenty of power.
Just add Speakers
Just add speakers is a category that is becoming increasingly popular these days, as it provides solutions that offer maximum flexibility in the most compact form. As already described, this also includes the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2.
What is also particularly important for the manufacturer PS Audio to emphasise is that the aforementioned compact design and maximum integration of a wide range of components does not mean that quality has to be sacrificed; the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 has been expressly developed with the aim of meeting audiophile criteria.
Balanced preamplifier with PS Audio Gain Cell
A special feature of the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 is its preamplifier, as it is not only designed symmetrically using MOSFET in Class A, it also relies on the so-called PS Audio Gain Cell, which is said to have a particularly fine, detailed performance with a very warm sound characteristic similar to a tube preamplifier.
Two pairs of RCA sockets are available as unbalanced analogue inputs and one pair of XLR sockets as balanced analogue inputs.
Integrated phono preamp
The manufacturer particularly emphasises the integrated phono preamplifier of this All-in-One system, explicitly referring to a solution that is in no way inferior to a stand-alone solution in terms of quality.
Two pairs of RCA sockets can be found on the rear panel as inputs for the phono preamplifier, one pair for turntables equipped with an MM pick-up system, the second for turntables with an MC pick-up system.
S/PDIF, I2S and USB – D/A converter with PS Audio Digital Lens Technology
The D/A converter of the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 is available for source devices that are integrated either via an optical S/PDIF interface, two coaxial S/PDIF interfaces or via one of the two HDMI interfaces that function as I2S. There is also a USB-B port that allows direct connection of a PC or Mac.
While the S/PDIF interfaces only support data in Linear PCM format with up to 24 bit and 192 kHz due to the system, the full spectrum of the D/A converter is available via the I2S and the USB port, as this allows data in Linear PCM format with up to 32 bit and 384 kHz as well as DSD native up to and including DSD256 to be processed.
Using PS Audio Digital Lens Technology, the signal processing is to be carried out at a particularly high level by means of re-clocking and guarantee signals free from sound-damaging jitter.
It is interesting to note that the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2, unlike its predecessor PS Audio Stellar Strata Amplifier, no longer has an integrated streaming client, so this task has been outsourced to external specialists.
High Current Class A hybrid output stage
The directly coupled power amplifier, designed as a so-called High Current Class A hybrid output stage with passive output filters, delivers a full two times 150 watts of power to speaker systems with an impedance of 4 ohms. If the speakers have an impedance of 8 ohms, two 100 watts are available, as the data sheet reveals.
The new PS Audio Stellar Strata features solid screw terminals for connecting the speaker systems.
It should also be mentioned that the new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 has a Class A headphone amplifier, which is available directly from the front via a 6,3 mm stereo jack.
In addition to 12 V trigger connections, there is also a pre-out at the rear, designed as RCA connections, which should also be mentioned. The PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 measures 43,2 x 7,1 cm x 34,3 cm and weighs 9,5 kg. The amplifier is available in either black or silver.
Prices and availability
The new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 should be available from specialist retailers within the next few days. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a recommended retail price for the local market for this solution, only the manufacturer’s own price indication of US$ 3.499,-.
Getting to the point
The new PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 is a particularly versatile stereo integrated amplifier in the latest generation of the PS Audio Stellar Series, which clearly belongs to the category of just-add speakers. Apart from a streaming client, which is no longer offered here in contrast to its predecessor, the PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 essentially offers everything you would expect from a central interface of a modern HiFi chain, and according to PS Audio at a quality level that should even delight audiophile HiFi enthusiasts.
| PRODUCT | PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 |
|---|---|
| Price | US$ 3.499,- |
| Brand | PS AUDIO |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PS Audio |
| Distribution Austria | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | HiFi 2 die 4 |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
