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Stellar DAC

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$ 2,199.00 USD
$ 2,199.00 USD

Stellar DAC brings wonderful imaging and musicality to any high-performance system at a price you can afford.

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Product Description

— Product Description

Introduction

Stellar DAC brings wonderful imaging and musicality to any high-performance system at a price you can afford. With a clean, rich tonal balance and pinpoint imaging, it can serve as the centerpiece of your music setup. Featuring a built-in Digital Lens reclocking circuit, dual I²S inputs, selectable digital filters, and a hand-matched Class-A analog output stage, it reveals the full depth and detail of your music library.

Design

Engineered as an affordable, high-performance digital-to-analog converter, the Stellar DAC centers on the ESS Sabre 32-bit Hyperstream DAC chip, fed by PS Audio’s proprietary Digital Lens technology to eliminate jitter. Its fully balanced Class-A analog output stage, supported by multiple dedicated power supplies, ensures lush, detailed, and distortion-free analog reproduction.

Application

As a full-function DAC, the Stellar DAC accepts any digital source—from PCM up to 384 kHz to DSD256—and outputs low-distortion, high-resolution, fully balanced analog. It can replace both a preamplifier and DAC in your system: simply add a power amplifier and speakers, then use the built-in lossless volume control to enjoy reference-quality sound within moments.

Technology Overview

Stellar DAC converts incoming digital signals to near-perfect data with its FPGA-based Digital Lens, then passes them through the ESS Hyperstream architecture for exceptionally low noise and distortion. The hybrid design integrates a capacitor-free output path and a high-current, oversized analog power supply, preserving transient detail and dynamic impact. Multiple digital inputs—including USB, optical, coaxial, and dual I²S—provide versatile connectivity options for any source.

Key Features

  • Class-A balanced analog output stage
  • Full-function DAC with fixed or variable gain modes
  • Proprietary Digital Lens reclocker for ultra-low jitter
  • Three selectable digital filters
  • Hybrid, capacitor-free output path
  • Dual I²S inputs and asynchronous USB input
  • Support for PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD64/DSD128/DSD256
  • High-current, oversized analog power supply
  • Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs

Specifications

Physical Specifications
Unit Weight: 22.5 lbs [10.2 kg]
Unit Dimensions: 17″ W × 3″ H × 12″ D [43.2 cm × 7.6 cm × 30.5 cm]
Shipping Weight: 26 lbs [11.8 kg]
Shipping Dimensions: 22″ W × 8″ H × 17″ D [55.9 cm × 20.3 cm × 43.2 cm]
Color Options: Black; Silver

Power Requirements
Input Power: Factory-set 100 VAC, 120 VAC, or 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption: 25 W

Digital Audio Inputs
I²S (2 inputs): PCM 44.1 kHz–384 kHz; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
Coaxial (2 inputs): PCM 44.1 kHz–192 kHz
Optical (1 input): PCM 44.1 kHz–192 kHz
USB-B (1 input): PCM 44.1 kHz–384 kHz; native DSD64, DSD128; DSD64/DSD128 over PCM

Analog Audio Output
RCA single-ended; XLR balanced
High-level Output: 4 V RMS balanced; 2 V RMS single-ended
Output Impedance: 100 Ω (unbalanced) / 200 Ω (balanced)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz ± 0.1 dB; 10 Hz–55 kHz – 1 dB
Maximum Output: 4 V RMS balanced; 2 V RMS single-ended

Distortion & Noise
THD+N @1 kHz (full-scale): < 0.003%
IMD (CCIF) @ full output: < 0.004%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110 dB (ref. 4 V RMS)

Data Handling & Conversion
PCM Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
PCM Word Length: 16–32 bit
DSD Support: Native up to DSD256 (11.2 MHz); DoP on all inputs
Digital Volume Control: Yes
DAC Chip: ESS 9018K2M

I²S Input Details
Connector: HDMI
Formats: PCM and DSD (native and DoP)

USB Input Details
Connector: USB Type B
Transfer Mode: Asynchronous
Formats: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), native DSD

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