I have some history with the PS Audio company; one of my first reviews for Audiophilia was their Sprout100, a small do-it-all, very cool integrated amplifier. That component’s flexibility and tone (and price) impressed me, so it taught me to become more engaged with sound and be aware of how I was listening. Today, my main setup consists of several PS Audio products, not just because of the quality and their neutral, non-colouring sound resolution, but because of PS Audio’s attention to detail in their engineering design. If you’d like to check them out, Co-founder and CEO Paul McGowan creates video content answering questions and teaching about sound engineering for beginners on his YouTube Channel. This review is of their new digital-to-analog converter, the PS Audio StellarGold DAC (USD 3999).

The StellarGold is in the middle of their flagship components, the PerfectWave series with their DirectStream DAC MK2 ($7999), and their previous Stellar Gain Cell DAC ($1700).

Specifications

Unit Weight: 22.5 lbs [10.2 kg] Shipping Weight: 26 lbs [11.8 kg]

Unit Dimensions: 17"W x 3"H x 12" D

Colour Options: Black, Silver.

Power Requirements

Input Power: Model-specific 100VAC, 120VAC, or 230VAC 50 or 60Hz.

Power Consumption: 30W

Digital Audio Inputs: I2S (2), Coax (2), Optical, USB

Sample Rates

Optical (TOSLink): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz 96 kHz.

S/PDIF (Coax): PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz 192kHz; DoP64.

I2S: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 705.6kHz, and 768kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DoP256, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256.

USB: PCM 16 and 24 bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, and 384kHz; DoP64, DoP128, DSD64, DSD128.

Analog Audio Output

Output Stage: Discrete fully balanced JFET BJT hybrid

Connector: RCA single-ended, XLR balanced

Output Level High, Maximum: 4 VRMS Balanced, 2 VRMS Single Ended

Output Impedance: 100‌Ω / 200Ω

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.1dB; 10Hz-70kHz, -1dB

Max Output: 4V RMS Balanced, 2V RMS single-ended

THD+N @ 1KHz: <0.002% at full output

IMD: <0.002%, CCIF, at full output

SNR: >127dB, reference to 4V RMS

Data Handling

Format: PCM or DSD

Sample Rate (PCM): 44.1kHz, 48.0kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz

Data Rate (DSD): Up to DSD256 (11.2MHz) via DoP and Native DSD1024

Digital Volume Control: Yes

Analog Conversion Method: ES9038PRO DAC

I2S Digital Input

Connector: HDMI

Format: PCM or DSD. DoP on all inputs as well as native DSD on 12S inputs

USB Digital Input

Connector: USB ‘B’ type

Format: PCM, DoP v1.1 (DSD over PCM), or Native DSD

Transfer Mode: Asynchronous

Design and Build

The need for a good DAC is underestimated. Many integrated amps and other inexpensive DACs are up to the task and do a serviceable job. However, as you mature into the audiophile way when your curiosity evolves, you pay attention to things like electronic circuits and the way they are affected by jitter, distortion, noise (especially), and, of course, their resolution and overall sound.

If you have separate audio components, you develop a sensibility to the tuning/sound of your audio chain, what it lacks, and what you enjoy. If you have an all-in-one integrated amplifier, you are set for that sound characteristic. Yes, your speakers will have a theme (their sound), but if you want to focus your attention on your sound, then separates are the way to go.

PS Audio embraces its minimalist design, with an old-school style heavy aluminum chassis (22.5 lbs). The PS Audio front panel logo on the top left corner (Ready Mode and Operational Mode), a blue low-light screen for the main display (covers connectivity, sampling rate, filters, phase), a button for the Menu System, and Control Ring to navigate the system, this may seem like an old-style component (no touch-control display, like newer components) and it is, but it's the PS Audio way.

A thin gold strip covers the entire front. The gold, blue, and silver colours make the StellarGold look classy and mature, and unlike other audio components I’ve tried, it looks the part, it feels of good quality, heavy and durable. Another salient aspect is that the StellarGold is upgradeable; it can be updated via firmware or software, and you can feel confident that you’ll have the best-sounding DAC for your investment for a long time.

The StellarGold uses a four-DAC chip per-channel configuration (the ESS 9038Pro). One of the things that I liked about the StellarGold DAC is its range of connectivity (especially two I2S connections) and flexibility in sound. It offers seven filters, each with its sound characteristic, and you can change them easily with your remote control, easy-to-use, I might add. I preferred the factory-set filter: MinSlow (minimum phase, slow roll-off). There’s a slight change in the sound with the filters, especially when you play the songs you know well, a subtle change in brightness or bass frequencies will catch your ear.

PS Audio is constantly working on ways to improve digital sound—noise and distortion, being the most important:

“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.”

One more thing about this DAC technology before I continue with its sound, I love the StellarGold’s ability to play native DSD without downsampling, which many of the more expensive DACs simply cannot do. From what I’ve seen on Mr. McGowen’s channel, he loves DSD recordings, and it shows.

Equipment

Speakers: Alta Audio Alyssa Speakers, Galion TS Voyager TL Speakers.

Streamers: PS Audio AirLens, Volumio Rivo Plus.

Amplifiers: Margules I-240 Tube Amp, PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated, Vincent Audio SV-500 amp.

CD/SACD: PS Audio PerfectWave transport.

Cables: Allnic Audio ZL-5000 Speaker Cable, Allnic Audio ZL-3000 power cord, Allnic Audio Mu-7R interconnect cables.

Sound

My first and only hiccup. I connected all the cables to my chain before plugging it in. Stellargold did not respond at all, so after one email to their service department, they solved the issue within the hour. I just needed to disconnect everything, plug in the DAC, turn the component on, and then plug the rest of the equipment in; as I mentioned, very good customer service.

I’ll begin by saying that I used both the balanced and single-ended connections and found they offered a crystal-clear soundstage with surreal imaging. I’ve always admired PS Audio’s attention to detail in their output stage and power supply; I believe this is what sets them apart from the competition.

They comment about the Stellar Gold DACs and output stage (Class A):

“[We] 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.”

I compared the StellarGold to the Geshelli Dayzee ($1899), which is the DAC in my setup; it’s been in my chain for a while now. There’s something about the intensity and clarity of the Dayzee that just beats the more expensive DACs I’ve tried. However, when I tried the StellarGold DAC, it was easy for me to see there are levels to the game. This digital-to-analog converter is the best one I’ve heard in my setup.

Glare is an issue with me; sibilance and high frequencies are my kryptonite. Other DACs are too dark or too warm.

I had the opportunity to review two streamers, the Rivo Plus and the PS Audio AirLens, both very engaging streamers. The Rivo Plus fits the part eloquently, while the AirLens gives it a lighter touch of finesse.

Recordings

I had to listen to Gustav Mahler with the StellarGold. I have what I believe is a very sizable Mahler vinyl collection (upwards of two hundred). In some old recordings (shellacs, 78 rpm’s from the 1920s and 1930s), the sound isn’t the best, however, many of them are now ready to stream. So I set out to look for some of these recordings. I found on Qobuz, Mengelberg’s classic Symphony No. 4 with the Concertgebouw (1939/2024 remastered). Jo Vincent’s voice was on another level, but the Ruhevoll, goodness, the sound from this DAC was palpable. Cooke’s description of this movement of “A transfigured cradle-song” is spot-on, and the StellarGold gave an amplified, clear, and energetic sound to this masterpiece.

Next up, Anouar Brahem, Anja Lechner (look for her Lontano recording with François Couturier), Dave Holland (the legend), and Django Bates, now that’s an all-star band; they just recorded a fantastic album called After the Last Sky (2025), and as you could imagine it has the Brahem signature of Arabic and classical with jazz themes, a nostalgic algorithm that he infuses his compositions with, he’s just otherworldly. The StellarGold took Brahem’s music and made it present, imaging and dynamics covered my living room, and the soothing rhythms followed a sharp and constant descent, It’s futile to resist Anouar.

Then it was time for Chick Corea’s Trilogy a live album with Christian McBride and Brian Blade (2013), one I recommend to my friends who want to experience jazz for the first time, in their interpretation of “All Blues” (Miles Davis), and Monk’s “Blue Monk” the band is cohesive, but they’re also bouncing and joyfully arriving at a destination. The StellarGold showed more instrument separation than any other DAC I’ve listened to with this lovely recording.

I threw the StellarGold my entire SACD collection, from classical to jazz, all pristine recordings. The pairing of the PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport ($6499) with the I2S connection was a great experience. I’m a vinyl guy, however, the link between these two components rivalled in quality and clarity of sound some of my vinyl recordings. The I2S HDMI connectivity facilitates this comparison. I wouldn’t say there’s a night and day difference between I2S and the other digital connections, but it’s sufficient to mention it here. A silk-like soundstage flows; again, the imaging was superb.

Yes, you can get a sexier looking integrated like the NAIM’s Uniti Atom Streamer Amplifier ($3799), which has all the bells and whistles plus a lovely screen, and for many this is something to consider, however, the built quality and the sound of the StellarGold surpasses it by a mile.

One more recording that stayed with me was Gustavo Cerati’s Bocanada (1999), a staple in Spanish rock. A favourite of mine, my best friend cherished this recording as well; he recently passed away, and I just can’t disconnect from how we both appreciated Bocanada. It’s one of those albums that captures the imagination, from the cool blue cover to the smoke that fills the singer’s silhouette, it’s enthralling. I remember we would sit in front of the speakers, immersed in the album's lyrics, describing the composer's influences, and singing at the top of our lungs. Those were some special moments. I can say that the sound of this recording hasn’t changed; it still resonates, the guitars’ clarity and electronic themes reverberate with this DAC, no sense of glare at the top-end, no sibilance that obfuscated Cerati’s crying voice, a naturalness to the sound that you love to hear.

Conclusion

Over the years, my ears have matured, my connection to the streaming world has evolved, and my listening has developed an ear for digital to analog converters. For some reason, DACs are easier for me to identify than other audio components. This is easier when you have a preamp that lets you make an A-B comparison between DACs in seconds (the PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier as a preamp).

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; maybe I won’t, just don’t tell my wife.

Further information: PS Audio