Factory Certified

Stellar · DAC

StellarGold™ DAC

Raises the bar for any DAC near its price.

$2,000 $3,999

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Factory Certified

Tested in Boulder by the people who built it

14-day in-home evaluation. One-year factory warranty when registered. Each unit is fully factory tested in Boulder; some may show light cosmetic blemishes.

Factory Certified units are already priced well below new, so they can't be combined with Trade-Up credit or other discounts.

Designed for a big upgrade, with or without a preamplifier

  • Volume Built in. A preamp is best for high-end systems
  • Formats PCM to 768 kHz and quad-rate DSD
  • Output Balanced XLR, Class A
  • Inputs I²S, USB, AES/EBU and coax

What reviewers say

Our big impression was of a low noise level yielding a huge soundstage with believable performer placement.

TThe Absolute SoundEditors' Choice, Best DACs $3,000–$10,000, 2023

What stands out is the meticulousness and sovereignty across all frequency ranges.

FFidelity MagazineFrank Lechtenberg, 2024

PS Audio did it right. The DAC’s incredible. It sounds great

TThe Absolute SoundAdrian Alexander Reports, 2024

Why choose it

A 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.

Where it fits

PS Audio's StellarGold DAC can become the centerpiece of a high-resolution 2-channel audio system. Using StellarGold's balanced or single-ended outputs into our matching StellarGold preamplifier or, using its built-in lossless volume control, the StellarGold DAC can become the heart of a true state-of-the-art high-performance audio system at an affordable price.

Design

How it's built

The new StellarGold DAC, with its advanced parallel DAC architecture, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs. By using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out.

Read the full design story

The new StellarGold DAC, with its advanced parallel DAC architecture, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs. By using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out. This is because the probability of all DACs having the exact same non-linearity error at the same digital input value is nearly zero. The results are nothing short of breathtaking. One listen to this DAC, and you'll know it's in an entirely different category from others at anywhere near its price range.

>127 dB
signal to noise
>112 dB
SINAD
768 kHz
PCM
4
parallel DACs per channel

01

Parallel DAC technology

In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits. First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced).

Read more

In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits. First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced). When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the 4 DACs are averaged together, the results are an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion. The combined resolution effectively surpasses that of any single DAC of similar design on the market, creating an extraordinary audio experience that only a few people have yet to experience. We can't wait for you to hear StellarGold in your system.

02

Perfectionist build quality

The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms. To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit's capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators.

Read more

The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms. To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit's capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators. A tall challenge given StellarGold's affordable pricing. One look inside at this beautifully hand-crafted device and you'll see how the PS Engineering team honored Darren's original vision using only the highest quality parts and the lowest noise designs. The StellarGoild is truly a work of art that deserves your attention.

03

State-of-the-art performance

For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system. Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home.

Read more

For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system. Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home. The quality of that music is directly impacted by the device that converts those digital bits into analog audio we can use to power our speakers. That is the job of the DAC. And DACs are sensitive and highly sophisticated electronic circuits that are affected by any number of issues, including jitter, noise, distortion, resolution, and quantization errors, to mention just a few. When it comes time to find the perfect DAC for your system, it makes sense to turn to a company like PS Audio which places sonic performance and the joy of musicality above all else. If you truly want the next big step in your high-end audio system, consider StellarGold for your your digital playback. We don't think you can get close at anywhere near its price.

Features

At a glance

  • Four parallel DACs per channel
  • Designed around ESS 9038 Pro technology
  • Dead quiet signal to noise ratio of >127dB referenced to 4V RMS
  • SINAD >112dB referenced to 4V RMS
  • PCM to 768kHz
  • DSD to 256 (11.2mHz)
  • Exceptional imaging and soundstage
  • Discrete hybrid output stage
  • Fully balanced design
  • Multiple low impedance power supplies
  • Low jitter clocking
  • I2S, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial inputs
  • High slew rate, low feedback, class A output stage

Specifications

Full specifications

Compare

How it compares

512 DACStellarGold DACThis oneStellar DACAirLens
Price$8,999$3,999$2,199$1,999
VolumeBuilt in, analog. Drives a power amp directlyBuilt in. A preamp is best for high-end systemsBuilt in, fixed or variableNone. It feeds your DAC
FormatsPCM and quad-rate DSDPCM to 768 kHz and quad-rate DSDPCM and double-rate DSDPCM to 352.8 kHz and quad-rate DSD
OutputBalanced XLR, Class ABalanced XLR, Class ABalanced XLR, Class AI²S and coax, to your DAC
InputsIncludes I²S for DSD directI²S, USB, AES/EBU and coaxIncludes I²S for DSD directEthernet or Wi-Fi. Roon Ready, Tidal and Qobuz Connect

Build your system

What it pairs with

A power amplifier, or a preamplifier for the best results

Stellar M700 Monoblocks$3,498 / pairFloorstanders, typical roomsView details

A power amplifier, or a preamplifier for the best results

StellarGold Preamplifier$3,999Most systems with several sourcesView details

Streaming? Add

AirLens$1,999Streaming from Roon, Qobuz or Tidal into a DAC you ownView details

Reviews

More reviews

The StellarGold sets itself apart not just in soundstage and imaging, but in the effortless way in which it delivers your music without a filtering glare, and even more importantly, without any noise or distortion.

It’s a fantastic product from PS Audio, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m not sure this is going back

JJesús González-Monreal - Audiophilia2025
Read the full review

Our big impression was of a low noise level yielding a huge soundstage with believable performer placement.

EEditors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff2023
Read the full review

Here the StellarGold gets to show off wide dynamics; there was deep, clean bass next to a startlingly crisp portrayal of Smith's at times forcefully played instrument.

The depth of the soundstage impressed, but not as much as the transient attack or the listenability of even the most shrilling, violent blasts of brass

HHi-Fi News2024
Read the full review

It brought out sounds and nuances and different instruments that I hadn’t heard before…PS Audio did it right.

The DAC’s incredible. It sounds great

TThe Absolute Sound: Adrian Alexander Reports2024
Read the full review

What stands out is the meticulousness and sovereignty across all frequency ranges.

There is substance at the bottom and resolution without harshness at the top

FFrank Lechtenberg, Fidelity Magazine2024
Read the full review

WOW! PS Audio Stellar Gold "PARALLEL" DAC is an R2R DAC KILLER

JJay's Iyagi (YouTube)2024
Read the full review
Read all 7 reviews

It has been a lot of fun to spend time with the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC, as it has provided a few really eye- (and ear-) opening moments that allowed me a chance to really hear what is on the master tape of some of my favorite music.

FFuture Audiophile2024
Read the full review

Questions for a specialist?

We're happy to help with system matching and upgrades. Talk to a real person at 800-PSAUDIO, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5 Mountain Time, or email sales@psaudio.com.

Contact a specialist

Outside the US?

Buy or audition through an authorized PS Audio dealer in your country. Can't find one near you? Contact us directly.

Find your local dealer
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href="/products/stellargold-dac-refurbished?variant=48706566684962" class="link" >StellarGold DAC - Factory Certified

StellarGold DAC - Factory Certified

Once in a great while, an exciting new product design direction comes along that really sets a new standard for performance within a price range. Such is the all new StellarGold DAC, a product that will raise the bar for any digital to analog converter at anywhere near the price.

What makes the new StellarGold DAC unique is its use of multiple parallel DACs. Each channel of the StellarGold is built by paralleling 4 high resolution digital to analog converters, then feeding the combined output of these DACs into an all new discrete class A analog output stage.

The results are nothing short of stunning.

The use of multiple high-precision DACs to form one ultra-linear channel has the advantage of lowering noise and channel crosstalk while at the same time increasing linearity, dynamic range, and resolution beyond what any single DAC technology can achieve.

One listen to this amazing new DAC and you'll know why it easily outperforms single DAC designs.

Note:

$2,000.00 $3,999.00
Factory Certified 14-Day In-Home Evaluation Click for details

Factory Certified

StellarGold DAC - Factory Certified

Once in a great while, an exciting new product design direction comes along that really sets a new standard for performance within a price range. Such is the all new StellarGold DAC, a product that will raise the bar for any digital to analog converter at anywhere near the price.

SilverBlackBlackSilverBlackSilverSilverSilver
StellarGold DAC - Factory Certified

At home

Where it disappears into the music.

What Factory Certified means

These are PS Audio units that have come home to our factory in Boulder — trade-ins, demos, and returns — not off-the-shelf new production. Each one is fully tested on the same benches we use for new gear: performance, safety, and reliability before it ships again.

  • 14-day in-home evaluation — live with it in your own system before you decide.
  • One-year factory warranty from your purchase date when you register the serial (new products carry three years).
  • Honest cosmetics — function and measured performance meet factory standards; some units may show light blemishes.

Full Factory Certified warranty and evaluation terms

What makes the new StellarGold DAC unique is its use of multiple parallel DACs. Each channel of the StellarGold is built by paralleling 4 high resolution digital to analog converters, then feeding the combined output of these DACs into an all new discrete class A analog output stage. The results are nothing short of stunning.

The use of multiple high-precision DACs to form one ultra-linear channel has the advantage of lowering noise and channel crosstalk while at the same time increasing linearity, dynamic range, and resolution beyond what any single DAC technology can achieve. One listen to this amazing new DAC and you'll know why it easily outperforms single DAC designs.

Parallel DAC technology

In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits. First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced). When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the 4 DACs are averaged together, the results are an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion. The combined resolution effectively surpasses that of any single DAC of similar design on the market, creating an extraordinary audio experience that only a few people have yet to experience. We can't wait for you to hear StellarGold in your system.

Perfectionist build quality

The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms. To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit's capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators. A tall challenge given StellarGold's affordable pricing. One look inside at this beautifully hand-crafted device and you'll see how the PS Engineering team honored Darren's original vision using only the highest quality parts and the lowest noise designs. The StellarGoild is truly a work of art that deserves your attention.

State-of-the-art performance

For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system. Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home. The quality of that music is directly impacted by the device that converts those digital bits into analog audio we can use to power our speakers. That is the job of the DAC. And DACs are sensitive and highly sophisticated electronic circuits that are affected by any number of issues, including jitter, noise, distortion, resolution, and quantization errors, to mention just a few. When it comes time to find the perfect DAC for your system, it makes sense to turn to a company like PS Audio which places sonic performance and the joy of musicality above all else. If you truly want the next big step in your high-end audio system, consider StellarGold for your your digital playback. We don't think you can get close at anywhere near its price.

What owners and reviewers say

The StellarGold sets itself apart not just in soundstage and imaging, but in the effortless way in which it delivers your music without a filtering glare, and even more importantly, without any noise or distortion. It’s a fantastic product from PS Audio, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m not s...
Jesús González-Monreal - Audiophilia · Read full review
Our big impression was of a low noise level yielding a huge soundstage with believable performer placement.
Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff · Read full review
Here the StellarGold gets to show off wide dynamics; there was deep, clean bass next to a startlingly crisp portrayal of Smith's at times forcefully played instrument. The depth of the soundstage impressed, but not as much as the transient attack or the listenability of even the most shrilling, v...
Hi-Fi News · Read full review
It brought out sounds and nuances and different instruments that I hadn’t heard before…PS Audio did it right. The DAC’s incredible. It sounds great
The Absolute Sound: Adrian Alexander Reports · Read full review
What stands out is the meticulousness and sovereignty across all frequency ranges. There is substance at the bottom and resolution without harshness at the top
Frank Lechtenberg, Fidelity Magazine · Read full review
WOW! PS Audio Stellar Gold "PARALLEL" DAC is an R2R DAC KILLER
Jay's Iyagi (YouTube) · Read full review
It has been a lot of fun to spend time with the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC, as it has provided a few really eye- (and ear-) opening moments that allowed me a chance to really hear what is on the master tape of some of my favorite music.
Future Audiophile · Read full review

14-day in-home evaluation

This is not the 30-day new-product trial — it is the Factory Certified evaluation period. How it works, or read the full warranty and returns policy.

Not for sale

We build these in Boulder, Colorado, and we are glad to show our work. Paul answers questions on video most weekdays, and the factory is open to visitors.

14-day in-home evaluation $2,000.00
Add to cart
Call
TALK TO A HI-FI SPECIALIST
1-800-PSAUDIO

Design

The new StellarGold DAC, with its advanced parallel DAC architecture, takes advantage of performance standards unavailable to single DAC designs. By using multiple DACs in parallel, individual non-linearities of each DAC tend to average out. This is because the probability of all DACs having the exact same non-linearity error at the same digital input value is nearly zero. The results are nothing short of breathtaking. One listen to this DAC, and you'll know it's in an entirely different category from others at anywhere near its price range.

Applications

PS Audio's StellarGold DAC can become the centerpiece of a high-resolution 2-channel audio system. Using StellarGold's balanced or single-ended outputs into our matching StellarGold preamplifier or, using its built-in lossless volume control, the StellarGold DAC can become the heart of a true state-of-the-art high-performance audio system at an affordable price.

Parallel DAC technology

In high-performance audio DACs, employing four parallel DACs per channel offers a number of sonic benefits. First, it reduces noise through averaging, resulting in an impressive signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 127dB below the DAC's maximum output of 4 volts (balanced). When noise is lowered, and the individual non-linearities of each of the 4 DACs are averaged together, the results are an increase in the effective dynamic range (loudest to softest sounds) and an audible improvement in linearity and distortion. The combined resolution effectively surpasses that of any single DAC of similar design on the market, creating an extraordinary audio experience that only a few people have yet to experience. We can't wait for you to hear StellarGold in your system.

Perfectionist build quality

The StellarGold DAC was designed by Darren Myers whose mission was to discover how far it might be possible to extend the already extraordinary capabilities of the latest technologies of the top-of-the-line ESS DAC platforms. To do this would require the use of multiple DACS, an all new direct-coupled balanced hybrid output stage featuring a slew rate fast enough to do justice to the circuit's capabilities, and then power the entire circuit with multiple stage linear regulators. A tall challenge given StellarGold's affordable pricing. One look inside at this beautifully hand-crafted device and you'll see how the PS Engineering team honored Darren's original vision using only the highest quality parts and the lowest noise designs. The StellarGoild is truly a work of art that deserves your attention.

State-of-the-art performance

For the vast majority of audiophiles, the DAC is the cornerstone of their system. Streaming with a network AirLens, a PerfectWave SACD transport, connecting to your computer via USB, or playing music through any digital source is the mainstay of getting music into your home. The quality of that music is directly impacted by the device that converts those digital bits into analog audio we can use to power our speakers. That is the job of the DAC. And DACs are sensitive and highly sophisticated electronic circuits that are affected by any number of issues, including jitter, noise, distortion, resolution, and quantization errors, to mention just a few. When it comes time to find the perfect DAC for your system, it makes sense to turn to a company like PS Audio which places sonic performance and the joy of musicality above all else. If you truly want the next big step in your high-end audio system, consider StellarGold for your your digital playback. We don't think you can get close at anywhere near its price.

Product Videos

Features

13 key features

Four parallel DACs per channel

Designed around ESS 9038 Pro technology

Dead quiet signal to noise ratio of >127dB referenced to 4V RMS

SINAD >112dB referenced to 4V RMS

PCM to 768kHz

DSD to 256 (11.2mHz)

Exceptional imaging and soundstage

Discrete hybrid output stage

Fully balanced design

Multiple low impedance power supplies

Low jitter clocking

I2S, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial inputs

High slew rate, low feedback, class A output stage

Reviews

7 reviews
Jesús González-Monreal - Audiophilia
Jesús González-Monreal - Audiophilia

The StellarGold sets itself apart not just in soundstage and imaging, but in the effortless way in which it delivers your music without a filtering glare, and even more importantly, without any noise or distortion. It’s a fantastic product from PS Audio, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m not sure this is going back

Read full review →
Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff
Editors' Choice: Best DACs $3,000 - $10,000. TAS Staff

Our big impression was of a low noise level yielding a huge soundstage with believable performer placement.

Read full review →
Hi-Fi News
Hi-Fi News

Here the StellarGold gets to show off wide dynamics; there was deep, clean bass next to a startlingly crisp portrayal of Smith's at times forcefully played instrument. The depth of the soundstage impressed, but not as much as the transient attack or the listenability of even the most shrilling, violent blasts of brass

Read full review →
The Absolute Sound: Adrian Alexander Reports

It brought out sounds and nuances and different instruments that I hadn’t heard before…PS Audio did it right. The DAC’s incredible. It sounds great

Read full review →
Frank Lechtenberg, Fidelity Magazine
Frank Lechtenberg, Fidelity Magazine

What stands out is the meticulousness and sovereignty across all frequency ranges. There is substance at the bottom and resolution without harshness at the top

Read full review →
Jay's Iyagi (YouTube)
Jay's Iyagi (YouTube)

WOW! PS Audio Stellar Gold "PARALLEL" DAC is an R2R DAC KILLER

Read full review →
Future Audiophile
Future Audiophile

It has been a lot of fun to spend time with the PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC, as it has provided a few really eye- (and ear-) opening moments that allowed me a chance to really hear what is on the master tape of some of my favorite music.

Read full review →

Want to leave your own review?

Write a Review

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