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Stellar M700 GCD Combo

Stellar Gain Cell and M700 Monoblock Amps

Built in Boulder

The best just gets better when you combine the Stellar Gain Cell™ with the Stellar M700 monoblock amplifier. The Stellar Gain Cell is a full-featured analog preamplifier with a built in high-performance DAC. Fully balanced circuitry from input to output, the Stellar Gain Cell DAC builds upon years of research and innovation in the art of digital audio and Class A analog amplification. When combined with the Stellar M700s you will find unheard of level of control and command from your loudspeakers and experience one of the most extraordinary under $5,000 packages ever crafted. In the M700 amplifiers, we combine the slam, linearity, control and pacing of a Class D output stage with the warmth, grace, and rich inner detail of Stellar’s Class A Analog Cell. The results are nothing short of breathtaking.

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Stellar Gain Cell and M700 Combo

Product Description

Stellar’s design imperatives—affordable pricing, and uncompromised sonics—were major challenges solved by several design innovations.

In the Stellar™ M700 amplifiers, you will find a unique new circuit, christened the Analog Cell. Designed by Stellar engineer Darren Myers, the M700s pairs a Class D output stage with the sweet, tube-like quality of a Class A biased MOSFET input stage which makes up the heart of the Analog Cell.

The Analog Cell™ is the heart of the M700’s musicality, where richly overlaid layers of music’s inner details are preserved even in the most complex orchestral crescendos. The Analog Cell is a proprietary, fully differential, zero feedback, discrete, Class A MOSFET circuit, hand-tuned to capture the smallest micro dynamics without sacrificing the loudest macro dynamics music has to offer.

The Gain Cell™ combines a no-compromise analog preamplifier designed around our Gain Cell™ technology and a cutting edge DAC. Developed in the early 2000’s by PS Audio Founder Paul McGowan, the Gain Cell elegantly solves the fundamental problem facing preamp designers—volume control. By controlling volume by adjusting the gain directly in response to front panel controls, the Gain Cell DAC offers exceptional performance without the normal degradation of potentiometers, stepped attenuators, or other approaches to volume control.

This product qualifies for our risk free in-home trial in the continental United States when purchased directly from PS Audio. And, trade in and save. Let us repurchase your old equipment at its full and original retail price. We’ll give it a good home and make sure you have the best power in the world. Just click the green Trade Up and Save button above these words to take advantage.

  • Mono power amplifier pair
  • Zero-loss Analog Cell input stage
  • Powerful MOSFET balanced output stage
  • RCA Single ended input
  • XLR “true” balanced input
  • 350 watts into 8Ω
  • 700 watts rms into 4Ω
  • 2Ω stable
  • Less than 0.1% thd 20Hz to 20kHz at rated power
  • Damping factor 1100 for excellent loudspeaker control
  • Front panel standby button
  • Efficient operation with very little heat
  • Dual, solid copper, plated, output binding posts
  • 27 pounds
  • Input 12 volt trigger

AudioStream

Rafe Arnott

All PS Audio components I’ve encountered (or owned) are incredibly well-built and the Stellar line is no exception. They have a weight, look and feel that exudes quality belying their sub-$5,000 USD total cost and puts me in mind of gear I’ve reviewed costing double this price point.

The PS Audio Stellar ‘three-fer’ proved itself to sound far more captivating, powerful, lyrical, musical and possess a humanity to its sonic signature in playback of all types of music than I previously thought a preamplifier and mono blocks priced under $5,000 USD would be capable of. They would, without fail, elicit both an emotional and physical reaction whenever I played music through them and their lack of digital pretense and healthy dose of analog spirit was a listening experience which I embraced.

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The Audio Beat

Guy Lemcoe

“…I could not fault the sound of the Gain Cell DAC -- its neutrality and honesty were captivating, leading to compelling listening. During my time with it and the pair of M700s, I always felt they had total control over whatever music was thrown at them, in whatever format. From the understated nuance of an unaccompanied lute to the bombast of a symphony orchestra going full tilt, the laid-back drive of dub or the pulse of electronica, I not once felt deprived of any of the music’s emotion, rhythm, dynamics or detail. Whether using planar, stand-mounted or floorstanding speakers, I knew I would be rewarded with music free of noise, artifact or boredom. Used together, the Gain Cell DAC and M700s represent an intelligent, cost-effective entrance into high-end audio’s top tier….

“The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC and M700 mono amps took my system to a level that, with some recordings, was eerily close to the real thing. Paul McGowan and his crew in Boulder should be beaming with pride over the superlative performance of these components. Those making a first purchase or those seeking to upgrade must audition these electronics or risk having spent hard-earned money foolishly elsewhere.”

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Stereophile

Robert Deutsch

PS Audio has been on a roll. That roll continues with the Stellar M700 power amplifier. I have had nothing but good experience with PS Audio products; still, with the Stellar M700, my expectations were exceeded. Having little sound of its own, the M700 delivered well-balanced reproduction that was always faithful to the music… the Stellar M700s came ever so close to matching the sound of my high-end reference monoblocks, Theta Digital's Prometheuses—which are ranked Class A in "Recommended Components" and, at $12,000/pair, cost four times as much as the PS Audios. The Stellar M700 is an outstanding bargain.

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Positive Feedback

Gary L Beard

In the Stellar M700, PS Audio has designed excellent sounding mono amps that can be the foundation of a reasonably priced high-end audio system. The analog input section is as expansive and natural sounding as the ICE amp modules are powerful and accurate. The resulting sound is a wonderful balance between expression and precision, allowing the amps to disappear within the audio chain. They clearly take on the signal they are fed, allowing a great front end to weave its audio magic.

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SoundStage!

Roger Kanno

There are many excellent-sounding amplifiers in this price range, but few can put out anywhere near as much power as the Stellar M700, and most of those that do don’t sound as refined. PS Audio says that the Stellar M700 is one of the most extraordinary monoblocks ever sold for less than $5000/pair. I have to agree. The Stellar M700 is my new favorite entry-level high-end power amplifier.

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C/NET

Steve Guttenberg

They sounded so good together I couldn't bring myself to try too many other speakers. The sound was rich with resolution to die for.
Magnepan speakers aren't known for their deep bass punch, but here with the two Stellars the .7 speakers' low bass was kicking with "The Legendary Skatalites in Dub" reggae album with really low, feel-it-through-your-toes bass. Austin Wintory's orchestral score for "The Banner Saga" sounded downright huge, and the low bass drums definition was truly stellar!

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10 Audio

Jerry Siegel

Folks, this is the future. We have heard vast improvements of Class D amplifiers during the last 10 years, and we are at or near the point where the technology is largely irrelevant to the final sound. The sound of audio components is more dependent on the implementation than on the underlying technology. The PS Audio Stellar S300 gets so close to perfection that the low purchase price is an out-of-this-world value. The PS Audio Stellar S300 adds nothing objectionable while delivering wonderful musical performances.

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PS Forums

Edward Weinman

I have had the 700's for several months now and all I can say is..."WOW!" Even after the burn in period at PS Audio, that was not the end of the burn in process. It's taken a few more months and I don't even know now if they will continue to do this. However, I can't tell you enough of what these amps have done for me in terms of detail and no compression of sound in loud passages of music/film. For me, they are a revelation! It's only been in the last month or so that actors, orchestras, soloists have exited the speakers and are in my home theater room! The Maggies are so much more in richness and dynamics that I really can't believe it! I had a gut feeling prior to purchasing them that I was in for something very special and that's putting it mildly! I've received Paul's emails over the years and actually this was a blind purchase but the price was certainly right for each of the six amps and the trade in of my Carver 7 channel amp was financially sufficient enough that the value given me would cover one and a half of the 700's!

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Physical
Unit Weight13.5 lbs [6.1 kg]
Unit Dimensions17” x 12” x 3”
Shipping Weight17 lbs [7.7 kg]
Shipping Dimensions23”x 18” x 9”

Power requirements
Input PowerModel specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz
Power Consumption20W
Mains Power InputIEC C14
Fuses100V T250V-2.0AH (2A Slow Blow)
120V T250V-1.6AH (1.6A Slow Blow)
230V T250V-1.0AH (1.0A Slow Blow)
Accessories includedUS (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions)
Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version)
UK (BS1363) (230V version)

Analog inputs
RCA
XLR		3 stereo pair
1 stereo pair

Digital audio inputs
I2S1 PCM (384KHz max)
DSD64 DSD128
Compatible with DirectStream Transport SACD handshake for DSD playback
Coax2 PCM (192KHz max)
Optical1 PCM (96KHz max)
USBPCM (384KHz max)
DSD64 (DoP) DSD128 (DoP)
FormatPCM, DSD

Analog Audio Outputs
RCA
XLR
Headphones		(Analog Unbalanced) 1 stereo pair
(Analog Balanced) 1 stereo pair
One 1/4" headphone connector front panel

Analog Performance
Gain
Maximum output
Sensitivity		12dB +/-0.5dB
20 Vrms
5.3Vrms
Input Impedance47KΩ single ended RCA
100KΩ Balanced XLR
Output Impedance100Ω single ended RCA
200Ω balanced XLR
Frequency Response20Hz – 20KHz +0/- 0.25dB
10Hz – 100KHz +0.1/-3.0dB
Noise20-20KHz <-90dBV
S/N Ratio1KHz >110dB (max output)
Channel separation1KHz >90dB
Input separation1KHz >90dB
THD&IM1KHz < 0.025%
20-20KHz < 0.05%

Headphone performance
Output power @1% THD300Ω 300mW
16Ω 3.25W
S/N Ratio 1kHz
Noise		>95dB (max output)
<-80dBV
THD & IM 1Vrms out300Ω <0.05%
16Ω <0.06%
Output impedance<4 Ω

Features
Volume Control0-100 (1/2 and 1dB steps, 80dB total range)
Balance Control24dB each direction in 1/2dB steps
Home Theater ModeAssignable to any analog input
Adjustable (in setup) to any level
Polarity (phase) ControlDigital sources only
Filter Control3 selectable digital filters (PCM digital sources only)
Trigger output(3.5mm 5-15VDC) 2
Remote ControlYes. Infra Red

Stellar M700 Mono Amplifier
Unit Weight13 lbs [5.9 kg] (each)
Unit Dimensions17”W x 3”H x 12”D (13"D w/connectors)
17”W x 6”H x 12”D (Stacked)
Shipping Weight16.5 lbs [7.5 kg] (each)
Shipping Dimensions22”W x 8”H x 17”D (each)
Color OptionsBlack
Silver
Voltage Options
(Factory set only)		Japan 100V
North America 120V
Europe/Asia/Australia/New Zealand 230V
Mains Power InputsIEC C14
Idle Power Consumption23W
Accessories IncludedUS (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions)
Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V version)
UK (BS 1363) (230V version)
Audio InputsRCA (Unbalanced)
XLR (Balanced)
Speaker Outputs Copper base nickel plated binding posts (2 pair)
DC Trigger Input 3.5mm 5-15VDC
Warranty3 years parts and labor

Signal
Gain30.5dB +/-0.5dB
Sensitivity for rated output power1.6V
Noise[email protected] Watts < -105dB
Input impedance Unbalanced 50KΩ
Balanced 100KΩ
Output Impedance50Hz, 2.8VRMS <0.007Ω
Damping factor50Hz. 2.8VRMS
8Ω >1100
4Ω >550
Frequency Response2.8VRMS into 4Ω
10Hz – 20KHz +/- 0.5dB
10Hz – 50KHz +0.1/-3.0dB

THD&IM
1KHz, 1W/4Ω<0.02%
10-20KHz, 1W/4Ω<0.02%
10-50KHz, 1W/4Ω< 0.05% (90kHz BW)
1KHz, 87.5W/4Ω< 0.015%

Output Power

120vac mains, 1kHz, 1% THD
8Ω350W minimum
4Ω700W minimum
2ΩStable for musical transients

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