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
Integrated with Built In Streamer
Good evening! Super long time lurker with no posts. I am looking to add a 2nd system to just play with Magnepan LRS speakers. I am very near field so not worried about amp power, but I would like if it had a built in streamer as I don’t really wanna plug in a CDP or TT.
Budget is $2500 and under. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.