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At US$1,999, this is the sensible alternative to assembling a separate DAC, streamer, preamp, and power amp at similar money. It sits above the US$1,712 median and below the US$2,186 75th percentile for recent used examples, so the price is fair rather than a bargain; unknown condition is the main reason not to call it an outright steal.
The original Stellar Strata remains a compelling one-box centerpiece: its balanced Gain Cell preamp, capable Class D output stage, high-resolution DAC, network streaming, headphone output, and broad digital/analogue connectivity cover nearly any system. It is powerful enough for a wide range of speakers and praised for its musical, spacious presentation. Before buying, confirm streamer/app operation, remote, and accessories, and insist on a clean demonstration; at US$1,999, excellent working condition should be the baseline.
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.
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