Thanks for the input. Regarding the I2S connection, is that only a PS Audio technology, or might there be some less expensive CD player that has I2S output that I could connect to the Stellar Gain?
PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC/Pre-amp as first foray into separate pre-amp?
Well, I've been researching and considering various pre-amps with home theater bypass, but just came across this much more affordable PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC/pre-amp. The idea is to get something for two channel audio that has home theater bypass, so as to be able to continue to use my Denon AVR for movies and multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio. But I want to improve the CD and flac playback I'm now getting out of the AVR. I would also want to get better two channel SACD audio quality than I get through the AVR over HDMI, but it seems that I would have to purchase a proprietary PS Audio SACD player that has the I2S connector to make that happen.
The plan would be to connect my universal player via optical or coaxial digital to the Stellar Gain DAC, instead of my current signal path of the Oppo into the AVR via HDMI. I would also connect my turntable(high output MC cartridge) to the Stellar Gain unit. I could also connect the optical digital output from my 4K TV to the Stellar gain. The Stellar Gain unit would be connected to my Krell FPB 400cx power amp via XLR cables(I'm not sure if this would be a good output impedance match).
The Stellar Gain DAC/pre-amp seems very reasonably priced, at $1,700, for its capabilities and for the sound quality indicated by professional reviews. Plus, near mint used units are available for ~$1,200. Thoughts?
The plan would be to connect my universal player via optical or coaxial digital to the Stellar Gain DAC, instead of my current signal path of the Oppo into the AVR via HDMI. I would also connect my turntable(high output MC cartridge) to the Stellar Gain unit. I could also connect the optical digital output from my 4K TV to the Stellar gain. The Stellar Gain unit would be connected to my Krell FPB 400cx power amp via XLR cables(I'm not sure if this would be a good output impedance match).
The Stellar Gain DAC/pre-amp seems very reasonably priced, at $1,700, for its capabilities and for the sound quality indicated by professional reviews. Plus, near mint used units are available for ~$1,200. Thoughts?
Showing 10 responses by mtrot
@ auxinput, Thanks for that tip about using PCM from the Oppo. At least that will get me nice two-channel SACD audio from the Oppo, although I'll still have to use the Denon AVR to listen to multi-channel SACDs, which often sound significantly better to me than their two-channel versions. So, I would need to acquire a quality coaxial digital cable to go from the Oppo to the Stellar Gain, a quality USB cable to go from my laptop to the Stellar Gain, and quality XLR interconnects to go from the Stellar Gain into my Krell power amp. Does this sound like all I would need? And, any suggestions on the cables? |
Thanks, it was the Impact that I was considering. The price is $199, Canadian. https://audiosensibility.com/blog/products-2/phono-cables-occ-copper-and-occ-silver/#!/Impact-SE-Str... Looks like the WW Eclipse 7 will run me more than twice the price. |
I just got my new PS Audio Stellar gain set up and installed the Silnote Morpheus Reference Classic XLR cables. So far, I've only listened to it in Home Theater bypass mode, but I will say, in that scenario, I feel like I've lost a bit of clarity in the highs. I'm not sure if that might be the result of the Stellar Gain softening the highs, or the result of now involving two sets of analog interconnects in my chain. I was previously using my Denon AVR as a pre-pro, so the Denon was connected directly to the Krell power amp. Now, there is one set of interconnects from the Denon to the Stellar Gain, and then the Silnote XLRs run to the Krell. I still need to listen to just the Stellar Gain playing into the Krell before making any strong judgements on the Silnote cables. |
@ auxinput Thanks. It is a brand new unit. My signal is going through an additional set of interconnects, as I indicated. The interconnect cables between the Denon and the Stellar Gain is High Fidelity CT-1. But I've already been using them for years now, so there should be no difference there. It's just that they were connected directly to the power amp. Any softening of the highs would have to be either in the Stellar Gain or in the Silnote XLR cables. As to the Silnote cables, Silnote burned them in on their machine from last Friday until Monday. Or, at least they said they did and held up shipping them during that time. |