How do you guys like your PS Audio Stellar S300 amps ?

gyosa

Been looking into them ...they seem to get great reviews .
What did y’all replace with the s300 , and are you happy with the decision ?
Happy with the overall sound vs a traditional class AB amp ?
Enough current to drive a 4 ohm load ?
Is it compatible with SDA’s , I know it’s dual mono , but common ground ? - in case I ever use with my 1c’s ?

Think it would compare favorably to my Parasound A21 and B&K EX-442 ?

I’m still looking for another amp for my Salks ....
Not in a huge hurry , the onkyo avr seems to do fine until I decide ... but still want separates....

Thanks !

BK

jdjohn

Hi BK,

I will let someone else answer the SDA compatibility question. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the answer.

Interesting that you mention the B&K EX-442. I went through several power amps in a relatively short period of time, and the EX-442 was one of them. I really liked the EX-442, but then I liked the PS Audio Delta 100 better. And after that, I liked the McCormack DNA-125 even MORE. I stuck with the DNA-125 for quite a while very happily. I still have that amp.

Eventually, the pre-amp in my rig did not suit me. After some research and soul-searching, I decided to take a chance on PSA's S300 class D power amp with the matching Stellar Gain DAC/pre-amp - there was a special intro price on that combo, with VERY generous trade-in allowance. I have really never looked back...ok, there was that one time...

I came across a Symphonic Line RG1MK3 power amp that I could not pass up. German-built beast of an amp. I went back-and-forth between this amp and the PSA S300, and kept coming back to the class D.

To answer your question about a 4-ohm load, yes, the S300 will handle it with ease.

joecoulson

So I don’t have the S300, but I do have its counterpart/s the M700’s. I too have the stellar pre along with them and can say I have honestly stopped searching for upgrades in that arena.

They power my 6ohm Elacs with ease. And to levels that will make my ears bleed if I want them to. I don’t have any issues with break up or thin sound with the class D amplification. They never get hot, they look fantastic and sound even better.

Great gear for the coin.

Clipdat

gyosa wrote: »

Is it compatible with SDA’s , I know it’s dual mono , but common ground ? - in case I ever use with my 1c’s ?

Not sure, but there is this bit from the manual that might be relevant:

"Black Terminal is not Ground

Its important to note that the Stellar Amplifier is a fully balanced BTL amplifier. As such the Black terminal is not ground. If connecting the Stellar S300 to a REL Acoustics subwoofer, its important to consult the manufacturer’s service documentation to ensure the S300 is appropriate for the subwoofer."

Clipdat

@gyosa just get a S300, you will love it.

Speaking from experience, I own one.

gyosa

Thanks for the feedback guys !

Bk

Clipdat

Sorry, I realize my commentary on it's performance is subjective and meaningless. But I really do think you will like it.

nooshinjohn

Everything I have heard or owned from PS Audio has been stellar.

verb

Clipdat wrote: »

Sorry, I realize my commentary on it's performance is subjective and meaningless. But I really do think you will like it.

Well thanks Drew! Now you got me looking at em!

gyosa

I agree ...
I bought a PS Audio 4.6 preamp new in the late 80’s - early 90’s to pair with my EX-442 and 1C’s ....
I’m still using it ... love the passive mode ....

I’ll keep my eyes open for a lightly used S300 ...
Anyone know who has good pricing on new ones ?
No rush ...


BK

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Everything I have heard or owned from PS Audio has been stellar.

mhardy6647

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Everything I have heard or owned from PS Audio has been stellar.

I see what you did there...

joecoulson

Underwoodhifi has the best new pricing. Call him for best price. Will not be advertised.

JayCee

gyosa wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback guys !

Bk

@gyosa, Since your initials are BK just skip the Stellar products and go for the BHK Signature line. You can cross out the "H" in "BHK" and tell everyone it's your personal "BK Signature Preamplifier" and "BK Signature 250 Amplifier". Your choice...say you designed it or, if you prefer, PS Audio created a limited production run in your honor.



But seriously, I'm a very happy PS Audio owner and agree with joecoulson....

joecoulson wrote: »

Underwoodhifi has the best new pricing. Call him for best price. Will not be advertised.

Haven't posted but spend time reading on the PS Audio forum. Keep an eye out on their "Marketplace" for quality used gear.

https://forum.psaudio.com/c/marketplace

gyosa

Thanks JayCee !

Bk

kharp1

I think the BHK is where I'm heading.

joecoulson

BHK and p20’s would be pretty dang sweet.

mhardy6647

In my line of work, BHK means Baby Hamster Kidney cells.
https://www.atcc.org/Products/All/CCL-10.aspx

Some vaccines and some of the earlier therapeutic recombinant coagulation factor proteins were (are) produced in BHK cells in culture. To wit:

Only two marketed recombinant glycoproteins are currently manufactured in these [BHK] cells, Factor VIIa (NovoSeven®) and Factor VIII (Kogenate® and Kovaltry®),

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168165617301918

dragon1952

I love mine. I know I've said this before but I like it better than my previous Parasound Halo A21.

JayCee

@gyosa

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/for-sale-ps-audio-stellar-s-300-stereo-amp-silver/11523

No affiliation.

gyosa

Thanks JayCee. .
Spoke to underwood hifi today ...
Liked what I heard ...
They have new silver ones for 1k ....free ship
Need to figure a few things out first , like if it'll do what I need it to do using my AVR's pre outs .... my wife is electronically inept .....
Need an easy , hassel free on/off for system .....☺

bk

JayCee

gyosa wrote: »

Thanks JayCee. .
Spoke to underwood hifi today ...
Liked what I heard ...
They have new silver ones for 1k ....free ship
Need to figure a few things out first , like if it'll do what I need it to do using my AVR's pre outs .... my wife is electronically inept .....
Need an easy , hassel free on/off for system .....☺

bk

The FS thread is $1K used...no brainer for Underdwood; new, good price and full warranty! Totally understand the technology dilemma w/multiple pieces of gear and family members. I have several Logitech Harmony's and always hope for the best when it's in someone else's hands.

Good luck moving forward! Hopefully, the S300 will suit your needs and your wife is on-board w/the decision. Looking forward to a "review" thread...

tonyb

C'mon Skip, what do you expect customers to say, Please charge me more ?

I agree it may be bad for independent retailers like yourself, but from a customers point of view, they always look for the cheapest price.

A good example would be Amazon. Not too good for retailers are they, but people flock there for better pricing. Do they care the smaller retailers and brick and mortar stores will go out of business ? Not so much....as long as they get the same things cheaper.

joecoulson

Free Market
There will always be folks who want the hand holding only a dealer like yourself can provide. But the industry as a whole changed when BB and Circuit City stopped compensating associates with sales commissions early 2k. The higher end stores (which also sold mid and low end gear to make ends meet) could no longer compete with BB and the like, shutting them down (Tweeter, Hifibuys etc). Now you can't even demo gear in the non-Magnolia BB stores because its all out in the open in a warehouse presentation. Don't get me wrong, I am not comparing the BB customer to the customers you bring in Skip, but they start somewhere, and it's not buying $20k Rosso's that gets them on the hook.
I personally try and spread some love around by purchasing higher margin items like cables and accessories from local, and also some gear too. But when it comes to a piece like I purchased yesterday, I am not spending an extra $500+ to help someone out. How would I be able to demo that unit anyway without it being on a totally different setup than mine?
If you sell something these days, you sell an idea and a vision, not products. My cabinetry is far from perfect, but we sell a lot of it because my customers believe in the vision we have set forth.
Walter may not be doing you a service, but he is feeding the industry products that might not move without his prices, double edge sword.

nooshinjohn

Then there are guys like my that buy nothing new, including cables. If I bought all my gear as either new or demo, I would have a Hello Kitty boombox and a Fisher Price record player...

joecoulson

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Then there are guys like my that buy nothing new, including cables. If I bought all my gear as either new or demo, I would have a Hello Kitty boombox and a Fisher Price record player...

You still have them....don't lie Nooshinkitty

gyosa

I find this discussion interesting .....
I see both sides ...

I’m an airline pilot and trust me , people will book a different crappy airline if they can save 5 bucks .....I see it every day.
Human nature....

I have no problem paying retail if , as a customer, I get some value out of the additional cost - such as being able to demo.
Very difficult to demo equipment these days locally - hence the rise of online dealers. Obviously their overhead is nil so they can offer lower prices.

For what it’s worth , I could purchase direct from PS AUDIO - trade in an old MINT Yamaha R9 receiver ( works perfectly) , that has been sitting unused in my closet for a couple years - with a street value of , what , $100 maybe ? - and get a $500 trade in credit ....
End result - same price for a S300 ..... $1k

BK

nooshinjohn

Both models work for me, as I would never pay 10k for a Pass Labs anything, but 2300, for a 10k retail preamp is a bargain all day long, and better than anything else I could get for that money if I were to buy new.

kharp1

When you buy from Underwood you're basically getting used prices because he doesn't offer returns. There is no trial period. If there is an issue you would have to go directly to PSA for warranty work. Would probably be wise to contact PSA to verify that they will honor warranty from Underwood, though I'd have a hard time believing they wouldn't. PSA is a class act all the way around.

gyosa

Correct , no returns to Underwood and no trial period ...
I was told they are PS Audios largest client ....

I also buy to keep , not resell.... look at my sig tag 😃 .... I never let go of my gear much to my wife’s dismay .....
Still using 30 year old gear !

Only thing I have ever gotten rid of was my klipsch kg4’s A couple months ago...

Btw , still haven’t made a decision yet ..... I’m a master procrastinator...

Bk

tonyb

I dunno Skip, demoing gear only works for those local to the dealer. How would a guy in NY demo gear from you ? You gonna ship out a 8k piece of gear to a dude you don't know across the country ?

Nope.

I'm with John, I've only bought a few pieces brand new over my whole life. Audio gear loses value too quickly to pay retail. Just my opinion there. Plus it allows me to have better gear for less coin.

….AND, eliminating competition is part of the whole idea anyway. It's the Amazon model played out in audio.

You have valid points Skip, but I think what your looking at is the "end of days" in the near future for independent audio brokers.

kharp1

That's why skip likes to spend time getting to know you, try to reach a consensus on what your "sound" is and then put together the right system for you. That doesn't happen by reading online reviews and ordering the cheapest piece you can find. The used market is great if you know what you're looking for.

I feel like I have a pretty good knowledge of the internal workings of most components, and, therefore feel like I'm better than the average person in being able to pick and choose good components. However, I've often found that when mentioning a piece to Skip he has offered insight that I hadn't considered, and, thankfully saved me from possibly making a mistake.