# My "Stellar" Phono Preamp experience and some NPC repair tidbits **URL:** \ **Category:** Audio Components\ **Created:** [March 26, 2023, 11:34am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031 "2023-03-26T11:34:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/21 "2023-03-26T18:21:56Z")
Although not the same brand as mine, that looks like a decent one and is half the price I paid back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/22 "2023-03-26T18:32:25Z")
> [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](#): > > Their design group needs to rethink this before making another piece of gear that is slaved to a pair of batteries. It’s an artform unto itself. Something PSA seems to have as a low priority as of late. For instance the MK2 remote is terrible and the interface on the unit isn’t great either. ---
**Author:** ![stac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@stac](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stac)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/23 "2023-03-26T18:33:00Z")
I agree. It was SoundSmith The Voice. I can use MM input w 47k load. I was lucky. ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/24 "2023-03-26T18:35:24Z")
When and if I do get a remote I am going to punch the numbers into an old learning remote that I’ve got “just in case”. Toothless one-leg dog. Sounds like a girl I used to date. ---
**Author:** ![stevensegal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@stevensegal](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevensegal)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/25 "2023-03-26T18:36:38Z")
I got to the point of asking for a home demo of one of these. Given my ability to lose remotes, I’m glad I didn’t go any further. I presume someone somewhere will soon have a SGCD with a remote control that doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/26 "2023-03-26T18:39:22Z")
LOL. Yep, someone’s got my remote for sure. But in case anyone who has an SGCD and the remote goes “Tango Uniform”, I’ve got one that Boulder said I could keep and put on the mantel and you are welcome to it. ---
**Author:** ![stevensegal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@stevensegal](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevensegal)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/27 "2023-03-26T19:01:12Z")
Are this things still made with IR sensors? Don’t think I’ve had one of those for at least 7 or 8 years. On the unit I got I don’t get a remote, or a power button, or anything to look at except a little light to tell me it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![magister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@magister](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/magister)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/28 "2023-03-26T20:44:03Z")
> [@vkennedy61](#): > > the MK2 remote is terrible Isn’t the remote for the MK2 the same as for the MK1? Or did I miss something? I like having one remote that controls several pieces of PSA gear, even if the buttons are a little small. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/29 "2023-03-26T21:14:07Z")
It is the same remote, but you can’t use it to do quite a bit of the functions available. It’s a multipurpose remote with little purpose. ---
**Author:** ![lonson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lonson/32/249792_2.png) [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/30 "2023-03-26T21:19:26Z")
I still use the slim black remote that I think came originally with the PWD Mk2 and maybe the OG DSD. It controls the functions I prefer to use for the PWT, the DSD MK2 and the P15. One day I’ll try to get one more. ---
**Author:** ![magister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@magister](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/magister)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/31 "2023-03-26T21:59:01Z")
True, you can’t control some of the functions. But those are things I won’t change very often once I get the unit set up. So I prefer the convenience of one remote that handles my everyday needs for three pieces of equipment. ---
**Author:** ![RonP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/ronp/32/213555_2.png) [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/32 "2023-03-26T22:04:25Z")
It certainly isn’t my company, but if it was my company, I would overnight the correct remote to you, (even though the cost of doing so might take the company down)–I would think it’s the right thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/33 "2023-03-26T22:36:06Z")
Setup was really my point. How many times are you going to get up from your sweet spot while lifting grounds and shells or turning on/off inputs? To each their own. As long as you are happy, that’s all that matters. ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/34 "2023-03-26T23:35:53Z")
On Friday they promised to overnight it to me Saturday delivery. Radio silence. ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/35 "2023-03-26T23:38:22Z")
Agreed. The problem is I can’t to the “set and forget it” phase. Currently a $1999 boat anchor. ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/36 "2023-03-28T15:25:50Z")
I feel like Raphie Parker on “A Christmas Story” when his dad pointed to one remaining gift in the corner of a room for Ralph to go get. In Ralph’s ace it was an “official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” In my case it is the correct remote for my Stellar Phono Preamp. Thanks everybody and, as we all know, good things come to those who wait. ---
**Author:** ![Palouse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/palouse/32/93521_2.png) [@Palouse](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Palouse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/37 "2023-03-28T15:32:00Z")
So, was the bitching and name-calling worth it, or needed? ---
**Author:** ![jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jkeifer3hotmail-com](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jkeifer3hotmail-com)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/38 "2023-03-28T16:20:59Z")
I will let you determine that for yourself. I, for one, am happy with the outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Palouse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/palouse/32/93521_2.png) [@Palouse](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Palouse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/39 "2023-03-28T16:21:54Z")
Me too. ---
**Author:** ![jamesh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jamesh/32/3871_2.png) [@jamesh](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jamesh)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031/40 "2023-03-28T16:51:13Z")
Glad the remote got to you this morning. Sorry for the early disappointment with the new piece but I promise you’ll be pleased once it settles in the system and you start spinning some records. [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/my-stellar-phono-preamp-experience-and-some-npc-repair-tidbits/33031.md?page=3)