DACs and sources
Every detail the recording holds, recovered.
Your DAC turns digital music into sound. A better one lets you hear more of what's on the recording, the way the musician truly intended. It's often the biggest single improvement you can make for your hi-fi system.
Where are you starting from?
New to DACs?
Almost all music today is digital: streaming apps, downloads and CDs store it as numbers. Something has to turn those numbers back into the sound your speakers play. That's a DAC, short for digital-to-analog converter. Your phone, laptop, TV and most streamers already have a tiny one inside, built to fit and to a budget. A dedicated DAC does only that one job, with its own clean power supply and parts chosen for sound. The result: more detail, more space around every voice, and a quieter background. It sits between your streamer or computer and your amplifier.
Digital to analog
DACs
We publish the actual bench measurements, per channel. Very few manufacturers do.
PMG Signature 512 DAC
Designed for your finest system. It plugs straight into a power amplifier.
Why choose itOne pure path for all your music Whatever you play, streaming, CDs or files, is converted to one pure DSD stream, with no compromise. Volume is built in, so it can plug straight into your power amplifier.
- Volume built in: no preamp needed
- Plays hi-res and quad-rate DSD
- Balanced XLR, Class A output
StellarGold DAC
Designed for a big upgrade, with or without a preamplifier.
Why choose itA dead-quiet background Noise sits more than 127 dB below the music, so the quietest details come through and every musician has a clear place on the stage. It raises the bar for any DAC near its price.
- Volume built in: preamp recommended
- Plays hi-res and quad-rate DSD
- Balanced XLR, Class A output
Stellar DAC
Designed for a first serious DAC.
Why choose itShape the sound to your taste Three digital filters let you pick the presentation that suits your system and your ears. Wonderful imaging and musicality, at a price you can afford.
- Volume built in: fixed or variable
- Plays hi-res and double-rate DSD
- Balanced XLR, Class A output
Network
AirLens: streaming, without the noise
AirLens is a streamer. It plays your music from Roon, Qobuz, Tidal or Spotify over your home network and hands it to your DAC, leaving the network's noise, jitter and interference behind.
AirLens
You've not yet heard how great streaming can sound.
- Roon Ready, Tidal and Qobuz Connect
- DSD256 over I²S
Starting from nothing but speakers?
Have it all in one box.
There's no reason to give up performance. A streaming DAC, a preamplifier, a phono stage and a 150-watt amplifier, in one chassis. Just add speakers.
Stellar Strata MK2 · $3,499
View Strata MK2What you'll notice
In their words.
The concert hall, by ear
“Spatial detail against a crystal-clear background — it makes you want to sketch the concert hall by ear.”
Only the music
“Low noise, precise timing, and extraordinary resolution. The digital chain should disappear, leaving only the music.”
Streaming, done right
“The PS Audio AirLens is subjectively the best streamer I have tested; it isn't even that close.”
Compare all 5 side by side
| Model | PMG Signature 512 DAC | StellarGold DAC | Stellar DAC | AirLens | Stellar Strata MK2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,999 | $3,999 | $2,199 | $1,999 | $3,499 |
| Volume | Built in, analog. Drives a power amp directly | Built in. A preamp is best for high-end systems | Built in, fixed or variable | None. It feeds your DAC | Built-in preamplifier |
| Formats | PCM and quad-rate DSD | PCM to 768 kHz and quad-rate DSD | PCM and double-rate DSD | PCM to 352.8 kHz and quad-rate DSD | Full-function DAC |
| Output | Balanced XLR, Class A | Balanced XLR, Class A | Balanced XLR, Class A | I²S and coax, to your DAC | 150 W per channel amplifier, plus headphone amp |
| Inputs | Includes I²S for DSD direct | I²S, USB, AES/EBU and coax | Includes I²S for DSD direct | Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Roon Ready, Tidal and Qobuz Connect | Digital, including I²S and USB, plus MM and MC phono |
