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Timing matters a bit here because this is a compact, well-known late-2010s unit rather than a current-gen amp, but the asking price still lands in the sweet spot: at US$575, it sits right around the US$549 median and just under the US$575 75th percentile, so this reads as fair-to-solid rather than ambitious. It is not a steal, but it is close enough to market that a clean example can be a sensible buy.
What makes it worthwhile is the formula: plenty of power for small-to-medium systems, a useful DAC, phono stage, and headphone output in a tiny chassis that has aged into a proven all-rounder. Buyers still like it because it does a lot well without turning into a feature-bloated compromise, and examples around this level can hold value if they’re complete and well cared for. At this price, I’d mainly want confirmation of clean operation, the remote, and any included box or paperwork; otherwise, it’s a respectable buy rather than a bargain hunt.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.
Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.
See all PS Audio listings on RADAR.
