PS Audio Stellar Owner's Reference Manual

Owner’s Reference

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Stellar™ Phono Preamplifier

Table of Contents

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Stellar Phono Preamplifier

Safety Information 2
Introduction

Thank You
Contact Information
A Message From The Design Engineer

Getting Started

Symbols Found on the Phono
Included With The Phono
The Remote
Front Panel View
Rear Panel View
Installation Considerations
Plugging In The Power Cable
Plugging In Your Equipment
Powering On The Phono
Idle Mode

4-8

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
5
6
7
7
8
8
8

Operation Guide

Front Panel LEDs
Moving Magnet
Moving Coil

9-11

10
11

11

Troubleshooting 12
Specifications

13-14

Warranty 15-16

Registering Your Product
What This Warranty Covers
Shipping
What This Warranty Does Not Cover

Limitations Under This Warranty
Warranty Transfer

Service Information

Warranty Service Within North America
International Warranty Service
Changes To Our Products

15

15

15

15

16

16

17

17

17

17

Your Product

1

18

Safety Information

Important Safety
Instructions

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READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS,
SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS. THIS APPARATUS
MUST BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS SOCKET OUTLET WITH A PROTECTIVE EARTH
CONNECTION.

Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not place flammable material on top of or beneath the unit.
The PS Audio® Stellar Phono Preamplifier is a passively cooled component that requires

adequate ventilation at all times during operation.
Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on the end of the AC cord. All PS Audio®

products ship with a grounding-type plug. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

HEED ALL WARNINGS

Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Unplug this
apparatus during lightning storms.

When making connections to this or any other component, make sure all components are
powered off. Turn off all systems’ power before connecting the PS Audio® component to
any other component. Make sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality.

THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THIS PS AUDIO PRODUCT.
REFER ALL SERVICE NEEDS TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or PS Audio® directly if you have any
questions or concerns that are not addressed in this reference manual.

PS Audio®, the sine wave logo, and PerfectWave® are registered trademarks of PS Audio,
Inc., and are restricted for use by PS Audio, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents.
Stellar™, Power Plant™, MultiWave™, CleanWave™, and Gain Cell™ are trademarks of PS
Audio, Inc.

This product was designed and assembled in Boulder, Colorado with globally sourced
components.

© 2019 PS Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Rev A.

2

Introduction

®

Thank You Thank you for purchasing PS Audio’s Stellar Phono Preamplifier. This is your

comprehensive Operator’s Guide, intended to provide a full overview of the Stellar Phono
Preamplifier’s functions and capabilities. It is our intention to provide you with full details
about the Stellar Phono Preamplifier and to answer any and all questions you may have.
If you have additional questions or concerns that are not addressed in this guide, please
contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Contact
Information

A Message From
The Design
Engineer

PS Audio, Inc.
4865 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
1 (800) PSAUDIO
[e-mail]
www.psaudio.com

It is inconvenient, yet utterly enthralling, to realize that measurements don’t always
correlate with what we hear. This realization is what’s been fueling my design career; it’s
so exciting and invigorating to know there are mysteries to be solved. Some of the most
commonly used circuit typologies suffer from what I call overexposed sound - the edge
transients lead with far too much high frequency energy and the overall tonality has a grey
sheen that washes out the tonal contrast. Many have claimed that this is what happens
when a circuit is transparent and has low distortion. I beg to differ.

The Stellar Phono is a fully discrete phono preamp that utilizes proprietary circuits that
don’t rely on high amounts of global feedback to lower complex distortion or increase
bandwidth. To the contrary, they were designed to be innately transparent and present
the music with a correct display of tonal balance. The circuitry is DC coupled from the
input to output and doesn’t contain any complementary circuits. The signal path is
relatively short and utilizes MOSFET and JFET semiconductors biased in pure Class A.

After hundreds of hours of listening with many different cartridges and systems, I ended
up with a phono preamp that always presents the music in the correct light. It gets out of
the way of the music and lets you focus on really what matters – our connection with the
music and most importantly the opportunity to share those moments with the people in
our lives.

So put on one of your favorite recordings, drop the needle in the groove, and kick back.
Welcome to the HiFi family.

-Darren Myers

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

3

Getting Started

Symbols Found
On The Stellar
Phono

Included With
The Stellar
Phono

®

Indicates compliance with European Union Legislation for relevant safety
(Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC) and EMC (EMC Directive 2004/108/EC)
requirements.

Is intended to tell the user that parts inside the product are a risk of electric shock to
persons.

Is intended to tell the user that important operating and servicing instructions are in
the papers with the appliance.

Signifies that the instrument complies with European Union Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment Directive.

Indicates that the unit is in compliance with the European Union Reduction of
Hazardous Substances Directive.

• 6-foot Power Cable

• Owner’s Reference Manual

• Remote Control

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

The Remote

1

2

3

The On/Off button activates/deactivates idle

1

mode.

4

The MM/MC button toggles between

2

moving magnet and moving coil inputs.

The Gain button toggles between Low,

3

Med, and High.

5

The Mute button activates/deactives the

4

mute function.

These are the resistive loading options for

5

moving coil.

4

Getting Started

Front Panel View PS Audio Logo LED Button1

1

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Mute LED Indicator2

Input LED Indicators3

Gain LED Indicators4

5

6

Loading LED Indicators

Infrared Remote Sensor

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

2

5

3

4

5 5

6

Getting Started

Rear Panel View Master Power Switch1

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IEC AC Power Inlet 2

Fuse Socket3

5 Volt -12 Volt Trigger Input4

5

6

5 Volt - 12 Volt Trigger Output

Balanced Right Output

Single-Ended Right Output7

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

Balanced Left Output 9

Moving Magnet Right Input10

Moving Magnet Left Input11

Ground Binding Post12

13

14 Moving Coil Custom Loading

Moving Coil Right Input

Moving Coil Left Input15

1 2 3

Single-Ended Left Output8

4

5 6 7 8 9 101211 13

14 14

15

6

Getting Started

Installation
Considerations

Plugging In The
Power Cable

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Location

Once your new Stellar Phono Preamplifier is unpacked, you will need to find a convenient
place to set it. To avoid RF interference from other components in your system, such as
computers and servers, we recommend placing the Stellar Phono as far away from these
devices as possible.

Mounting

The Stellar Phono Preamplifier should be placed with consideration of providing air
circulation to the unit. If you wish to install the Stellar Phono into your component rack, the
purchase of an aftermarket, custom-designed shelf may be necessary.

If your equipment is located a long distance from the Stellar Phono, it is preferable to use
a long, heavy gauge shielded power cable between the AC receptacle in the wall and the
Stellar Phono, rather than long individual cables between the connected components.

You may use either the provided power cable or an aftermarket power cable to connect
your unit to AC power. For best results, we strongly recommend the use of a PS Audio
PerfectWave® Power AC cable, or any high-quality aftermarket power cable. It is always
preferable to feed your equipment using an excellent power cable, as there will be a
significant performance improvement over the stock power cable.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

To connect your unit to AC power, plug the flat end of the power cord into the IEC AC
inlet and the pronged end into a wall socket.

7

Getting Started

Plugging In Your
Equipment

®

With the Stellar Phono powered off, plug the cables from your turntable into either the
moving magnet or moving coil (depending on the output voltage of your cartridge) RCA
input jacks on the rear panel of the phono preamplifier. If your turntable has a grounding
wire, we highly recommend connecting it to the grounding post on the rear panel of the
Stellar Phono.

Next, connect the cables from your line preamplifier to either the balanced XLR or single­ended RCA jacks on the rear panel of the Stellar Phono. Keep in mind, single-ended
cables have 6dB less gain, so if you are using a cartridge with low gain (<0.2mV) you will
want to use balanced XLR cables.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

Powering On
Your Stellar Phono

Idle Mode The master power switch on the rear panel should remain on at all times (except when

Once the unit is connected to power, flip the master power switch on the rear panel to
the on position. The PS Audio Logo LED button on the front panel will glow blue when the
unit is powered on and ready for use. When powering on your Stellar Phono Preamplifier

using the master power switch, it will always load the factory default settings: moving
magnet, low gain, and 47K ohm loading. The unit will always power up in mute.

making new connections). When your connected equipment is not in use, the Stellar
Phono can be placed in Idle mode. Putting your unit in Idle mode will deactivate all of its
output relays.

Idle mode can be activated/deactivated by pressing the PS Audio logo button, located
on the upper left hand corner of the Stellar Phono’s front panel. When the logo button is
not lit, the Stellar Phono is in idle mode. Idle mode can also be activated/deactivated by
pressing the On/Off button in the top left hand corner of the remote.

When toggling in and out of idle mode, the phono preamplifier will retain its most recent
settings. However, if you power down your unit using the master switch on the rear panel,
the Stellar Phono will load the factory default settings on the next power up.

CAUTION: Activate idle mode before powering down your unit using the rear panel master
power switch.

8

Operation Guide

Front Panel
LEDs

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Mute - When the Mute LED is illuminated red, the Stellar Phono Preamplifier is muted.
You can activate/deactivate mute by using the remote control or holding in the front panel
PS Audio logo LED button for 3 seconds.

*Input - The Input LED indicates which input you have selected. Using the remote, you
can toggle between moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridge inputs.

*Gain - The Gain LED indicates the selected level of amplification. Using the remote, you
can select the correct gain setting, which is dependent on the cartridge’s output voltage.

MM: 44dB (Low), 50dB (Medium), 56dB (High)
MC: 60dB (Low), 66dB (Medium), 72dB (High)

*Loading - The Loading LED indicates the selected resistive loading. Using the remote,
you can select the correct resistive loading, which is mandatory for flat frequency
response.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

MM: Resistive loading - 47KΩ fixed loading
MC: Resistive loading - 60Ω, 100Ω, 200Ω, 47KΩ, and custom loadings

The custom loading option allows you to use the potentiometers on the rear panel to
select between 1 - 1000 ohms.

* These features can only be changed via the remote control.

9

Operation Guide

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Moving Magnet A moving magnet cartridge is the preferred path for getting started in analog since they

are not as picky with set up, cost less, are more durable, and are not as discriminating
when it comes to the quality of the recording or pressing.

The default settings for moving magnet are low gain and 47K ohms loading. To adjust
these settings, you will need to use the remote.

Setting the Correct Gain

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

We recommend the following gain settings for each range of output voltages:
4mV - 10mV: MM, Low Gain

2.5mV - 4mV: MM, Medium Gain
1mV - 2.5mV: MM, High Gain

Resistive and Capacitive Loading
The resistive loading for moving magnet inputs is fixed at 47K ohms and cannot be

adjusted. However, this is the preferred loading for most moving magnet cartridges.
When it comes to capacitive loading, moving magnet cartridges can be fairly picky.
Typically, moving magnet inputs are loaded at around 100 picofarads, similar to the
Stellar Phono.

The capacitance of the RCA cables running from your turntable to the phono preamplifier
is important, since it will affect sound and add to the fixed input capacitance of the
phonostage. The correct amount of capacitance in a cable may range depending on
the cartridge. Most users of moving magnet cartridges will be very happy with cables
of average capacitance and the 100pF loading, but you may try different cables if you
wish to change the capacitive loading of the Stellar Phono. It’s always best to talk to the
manufacturer of your cartridge to see what they recommend.

10

Operation Guide

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Moving Coil The default settings for moving coil are low gain and 100Ω loading. To adjust these

settings, you will need to use the remote.
Setting the Correct Gain
MC cartridges generally have lower output voltages that typically range from .15mV to

2.5mV. We recommend the following input and gain settings for each range of output
voltages:

1mV - 2.5mV: MM, High Gain

0.7mV - 1mV: MC, Low Gain

0.35mV - 0.7mV: MC, Medium Gain
<0.35mV: MC, High Gain

Setting the Correct Loading
Moving coil cartridges typically have a low self-inductance and resistance, causing them

to perfom better with low resistive loading (typically less than 500 ohms). Because of
the low resistance, the capacitive loading effects are pushed well above the audio band.
High output moving coil cartridges normally like to be loaded at 47K, making them a
perfect match with the high gain moving magnet setting. The optimal loading for a phono
cartridge is always supplied by the manufacturer. This is a good starting position, but we
encourage trying different loadings to see what sounds best. The phono cartridge cannot
be damaged by loading it incorrectly.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

11

CAUTION: Mute your Stellar Phono Preamplifier before changing the custom loading
setting using the rear panel potentiometers.

Troubleshooting

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Noise If a whining, whistling, beeping, or other noise is coming from the Stellar Phono

Preamplifier, it is likely due to RF interference from another component. Components
such as computers and servers should be located as far away from the phonostage as
possible. We recommend using high-quality, shielded interconnect cables between the
turntable and phonostage. If necessary, you can also add a clamp ferrite to the RCA
cable that runs between your turntable and your Stellar Phono.

Hum or Buzzing
from Speakers

If you can hear a hum or buzzing noise coming from your speakers and it goes away
when muting your Stellar Phono, verify that you have selected the proper gain setting for
your cartridge. High noise could be a sign of the gain being set too high. Also, make sure
that the grounding wire from your turntable (if it has one) is connected to the binding post
on the rear panel of the Stellar Phono.

If you are using single-ended cables, try a pair of balanced (XLR) cables to see if the noise
is reduced or eliminated.

If you are still experiencing a hum or buzz coming from your speakers, it may be due to
cartridge interference. To test, mute the phonostage and unplug the input RCA cables.
Check to see if the noise is still there. If so, move the turntable to a different location and
repeat the test.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

Loud Popping

Music Sounds
Distorted

If you hear a loud popping noise when touching the tonearm or turntable, verify that
your turntable’s grounding wire is connected to the binding post on the rear panel of the
Stellar Phono Preamplifier. Not all turntables have a grounding wire, so if yours does, we
highly recommend that you use it.

If your music sounds distorted or the soundstage is ill defined or incorrect, check the
alignment of your cartridge.

You may also check the verticle tracking angle (VTA) of the tonearm and verticle
tracking force (VTF) of the cartridge. If you are unsure how to do this, please contact the
manufacturer of your tonearm or cartridge.

12

Specifications

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Stellar Phono Preamplifier

13

Specifications

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Stellar Phono Preamplifier

14

Warranty Information

Registering Your
Product

What This Warranty
Covers

®

By registering your product, you are validating the start date of your limited warranty. This
limited warranty is in effect for 3 years from the date the unit was first purchased from
PS Audio or its dealers and agents. If you do not register your product within 30 days
of service, a copy of your purchase receipt from an authorized PS Audio dealer may be
used as proof of purchase to establish the warranty start date. If no proof of purchase
from an authorized PS audio dealer or registration is provided, the production date of the
product will be used to determine the warranty start date. You can register your product
online, by phone, by mail, or by email.

This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for products purchased from
PS Audio or its authorized dealers and agents. In the event your product fails, your sole
remedy under this limited warranty shall be to return the product to PS Audio or an
authorized PS Audio repair center. At the option of PS Audio, the product will be repaired
without charge for parts or labor, replaced, or the purchase price refunded through the
original point of purchase.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

Shipping You are responsible to pay for the safe and proper shipment of the warrantied product

to PS Audio or its authorized repair center. Under this limited warranty, PS Audio or its
authorized repair center will pay the cost of returning the repaired or replacement product
to you.

What This Warranty
Does Not Cover

This warranty does not cover damage due to:

• Accidents, carelessness, improper transportation, misuse, neglect, or abuse

• Failure to follow the operating instructions that are provided by PS Audio in the
Owner’s Reference Manual (available for download at www.psaudio.com)

• Use in any manner inconsistent with PS Audio’s operating instructions (available for
download at www.psaudio.com)

• Lack of routine maintenance

• Connection to an improper voltage supply

• Alterations or modifications to the unit

• Improper or unauthorized repair, including repairs not authorized by PS Audio or a PS
Audio authorized repair center

• Fire, lightning, flood, “Acts of God,” or other contingencies beyond the control of PS
Audio

• Products purchased through an unauthorized source (if you have questions as to
whether or not a dealer is authorized, please contact customer support at www.
psaudio.com

• Products with a factory-applied serial number that has in any way been altered,
defaced, or removed

15

Warranty Information

®

Limitations Under
This Warranty

Warranty Transfer This warranty is for the benefit of the original purchaser of the product. The warranty may

In no event will PS Audio’s liability to you exceed the origianl purchase price of your unit.
This warranty does not cover the cost of custom installation, customer instruction, setup
adjustments, or signal reception problems. Consequential and incidental damages are
not covered under this warranty. However, some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. In the event that your warrantied product cannot be repaired, PS Audio will
either replace or refund the cost of the unit. We reserve the right to replace any out-of­stock, discontinued, or limited edition products with a comparable product. Discontinued
products may not be available for warranty replacement.

be trasferred to a subsequent purchaser during the 3 year warranty period. To do this,
you must contact PS Audio directly to set up a transfer of warranty registration.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

16

Service Information

Warranty Service
Within North
America

®

Please contact PS Audio customer support for service assistance, help with locating
an authorized PS Audio repair center, help with the operation of a product, or for more
information.

Obtaining An RMA#

In order to receive warranty service, you must first obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization Number (RMA#) prior to returning any item. Please contact PS Audio or
an authorized PS Audio repair center to receive an RMA#. The RMA# must be on all
returned items. If it is not clearly marked, PS Audio will return the package back to you,
freight collect.

Packaging and Shipping

Original packaging should be used for the safe transit of your PS Audio unit to the repair
center. If you do not have the original packaging, PS Audio can sell and ship replacement
packaging to you. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the product to a PS Audio
authorized repair center. You should insure the product for its full retail cost, in the event
it gets lost or damaged in transit. PS Audio is not responsible for damage incurred during
the transit of products sent to us. Shipping your product in non-PS Audio packaging may
void this warranty. PS Audio reserves the right to charge you for new factory packaging
to return your product after a repair.

Stellar Phono Preamplifier

International
Warranty Service

Changes To Our
Products

State Law

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary
from state to state.

PS Audio has authorized distribution in many countries of the world. In each country,
the authorized importing distributor has accepted the responsibility for warranty of the
products sold by that distributor. Warranty service should be obtained where the product
was purchased.

PS Audio reserves the right to modify the design of any product without obligation
to purchasers of previously manufactured products, and to change the prices or
specifications of any products without notice or obligation to any person.

17

Your Product

Your Serial

Your Purchase

Date of Purchase

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Stellar Phono Preamplifier

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