THESE days, “integrated amplifier” often means the ability to cater to the the modern audiophile’s every need, and PS Audio’s newly-launched Stellar Strata does it all. Besides amplifying your source signal, it also has a full-feature DAC and streaming module on board.
“We created the Strata to deliver exceptional musicality and high-end performance in an elegant all-in-one component that is compact, yet offers extensive features,” says PS Audio CEO Paul McGowan.
According to the press release, the Strata is fully balanced, with a preamplifier stage incorporating the company’s exclusive analogue GainCell, which is claimed “to eliminate the sonic degradation that can be caused by conventional volume controls.” The Strata has three analogue inputs including an XLR balanced input.
“The built-in DAC was designed by the PS Audio engineering team of Bob Stadherr and Darren Myers to deliver extraordinary sound quality from any digital source. All digital signals are fed in native mode into the DAC’s proprietary 32-bit Digital Lens, which recognises the sample rate, re-clocks the data, reduces jitter and applies other processing.
“The DAC can deliver up to 384kHz digital audio depending on the source, with native DSD capability. The Strata provides coaxial and optical digital, asynchronous USB and I2S inputs.
“A built-in streaming module offers high-resolution audio up to 192kHz from streaming services including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Napster, iHeart Radio, DLNA and other sources. The streaming module is operated from a smartphone using the new PS Connect app and music server software such as JRiver, Bit Perfect, Amarra or Pure Music. The phone acts as a wireless controller, with the Strata receiving its audio stream directly from the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.”
A digital filter selection feature allows the listener to choose between Slow, Minimum and Fast settings and tailor the high-frequency response to personal preferences and programme sources.
The output stage uses an ICE high-current Class D module with PS Audio’s GainCell circuitry, which “mirrors the sonic warmth of a vacuum tube while providing the power and control of solid state.”
Power is rated at 200 watts per channel (into four ohms, 100 into eight ohms). Other features include a built-in headphone amplifier, a volume trim function to adjust the levels of each input, and phase and balance adjustments.
Available in silver or black, the Strata retails at US$2,999 and is set to ship in June.
An integrated amplifier with an I2S input but not a phono input. Seems that some manufacturers no longer understand what ‘integrated’ means, and upsampling a 16-bit signal to the rafters still results in compromised audio irrespective of all the ’32-bit … digital lens, etc’ nonsense.
If you want to offer an audiophile integrated amplifier then if it doesn’t cater for the highest sound-quality source — analogue vinyl — then it is neither integrated nor audiophile.
Dave P – you forgot to say, “In My Opinion”
Dave P: Reading and re-reading your comment leads me to believe that this device is not for you anyway. My gosh, it uses Class D amplification not even just semi-conductors never mind TUBES. If the unit did have a phono amp, would it be up to your sound standards? Likely not. But Jerry B tags obvious solution -your own, hand chosen phono preamp, which I imagine has balanced outputs.
BTW – your response to Jim Smith was over-the-line smarmy and personal.
No I didn’t — the article touts this as a ‘do everything’ amp. It manifestly does Not do everything (i.e., it has no provision for the highest quality domestic music carrier — vinyl). Fact, not a matter of opinion — a purveyor of a profit-seeking book on getting Better Sound’ should know better.
I do not agree Dave P and I have a record player. I think an integrated amp can consider itself as a ‘do anything’ amp these days if it does not have cater for vinyl. And I think your view that vinyl is subjective too and, in any case, vinyl has to be very well cared for to maintain any ‘lead’ it has.
Dave P: vinyl is not the highest quality audio source. Period.
Dave P: it’s 2020. People stream. For those living in the past there are line inputs.
Yes, I have to agree on this trend and slowly adapting to this future-format. As compared with physical-medium like cds and vinyls need extra care and storage. With on-line or storage streaming is the convenient, and an entire music-library at disposal. What now I am concern is the sound-quality reproduced through this channel?
I don’t have a problem at all with an integrated lacking a phono input, so long as it has a balanced input option. I’ll use my own phono stage, thank you.
How is this sound performance as comparison with Hegel H120 or H190(both are close range).I am interested to know its DAC’s performance,so is particularly about music played from streaming?
I cannot be 100% certain, but it appears that Dave P might have a stick up his butt.
I needed a good laugh with my morning coffee. Thank you for being the catalyst.
Gee, our old LaSalle ran great…
IF you are exploring to purchase the PS AUDIO STRATA, I share my experience with you on this product:
I have owned the Stella Strata for about two months and to be blunt, it’s been nothing short of a nightmare.
Basically the unit’s streaming software does not work.
The unit repeatedly locks-up despite a few half hearted firmware updates released in May 2020:
Version 1.2.29
Date May 30, 2020
File image.bin
Description
Initial release.
Fixes for logo led blinking and unit lockup
Fixes for audio playing at zero volume
Fixes for factory reset menu
Fixes for no audio when playing SACDs via DMP hooked to Strata
Fix for buttons not showing on pop-ups
Fix for wifi enable
Space char added to password character set.
This issue was well documented amongst the beta testers. I naively trusted PS Audio had fixed the issue when released it mid-2020.
As of Dec. 2021, even PS Audio customer support no longer responds as they have no clue on how to resolve this issue.
Despite a decent SQ, I strongly advise avoiding the PS Audio Strata.
It’s clearly not ready for primetime and is cynically released to the public.
*As a follow-up – I ended up purchasing a $400 iFi streamer to bypass the software of a $3000 machine.
Just a complete waste of time and money. If you’re an international customer, good luck with after-sales support