PS AUDIO Stellar Gain Cell DAC, is it a real preamp or a digital one?

Audio Components
1

Good day,

I saw about once a month, that type of DAC with preamplification input for RCA

I wonder if it’s a real preamp or sort of digital preamplification?

I had a FiiO R7, with preamp in, but not really, it was like decrasing the sound in digital domain!

I have for my garage a link denon, everything that got in, is digitalized and proceed like that and than back to analogue out!

main source is tt, so why having a PS phono, if I digitalysed everything to listen to it!

thanks for helping

Best regards

2

If I understand your question, analog input remains analog throughout.

3

Yup, main source is TT,

in another way, what is the difference in the preamplification between the Stellar gain cell dac preamp and the stellar preamplification? except 10 year and 4000$-5000$ CAD

thanks for helping!

4

Most DACs with “preamp inputs” use digital volume control, not true analog preamps. Your TT’s phono stage is still needed to apply the RIAA curve and proper gain before digitizing. Once it’s digital, the DAC just adjusts levels digitally — convenient, but not the same as an analog preamp.

5

Good Day,

Your first post, so i guess welcome to the Forum!

and thanks for the infos

regards

6

from the SGCD manual…The Stellar Gain Cell DAC (GCD) is first and foremost a full function, standalone, high-resolution Digital to Analog Converter (DAC). Couple that with its built-in class A, pure analog preamplifier, and the beauty of the GCD as the center of a high-end music system becomes clear.

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7

As a GCD owner I can assure you analog in is analog out and undergoes no digital conversion. The description page pretty clearly states that. That’s the added benefit of the GCD as opposed to the new stellar dac.

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8

I think the Gain Cell was a pretty neat device. I have one in the GCHA headphone amplifier and think it really makes that amplifier special.

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9

I really enjoyed the several years I spent with my SGCD. It was the best preamp I’d owned to that time, besting a GAS Thalia, an Apt Holman and an Adcom GFP-710. I liked its DAC a lot, too, plus it was supremely affordable. I only replaced it because the folks at PSA made me an irresistible deal on a Stellar Gold preamp and a refurbed DSD MkI together.

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10

Found one, hope it a real sale, not a fake one!

keep you inform!

not found a pair of REL T9, but that’s another story and will wait to listen the preamp before going to improve the sub!

Yeah, my upgrade are like “soup du jour”, and I randomly upgrade here and there!

that’s life!

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11

Good day,

how do I know, if the DAC has a software update required?

is there a page for that?

regards

12

If you dont have a manual - it can be downloaded from the PS Audio website

13

Thanks

It suppose to arrive this thursday!

and my new transitory sub today! until, i could afford a foundery!

14

Gain cell preamp arrived, sound ok, except could not steam from my iPad in USB, you need the computer driver, I dont have the driver!

USB work only on computer with the implementing software! :frowning: and computer don’t go full res as the iPad simple solution!

and just sold my streamer, effgrrrr!

so could not tweak the sub, for now, I have to withdraw all my 400 CD from my carousel to listen sneaker!

But Sound is incredible, very different from my temporary Schiit to my temporary PS gain cell!

the solution is in the problem…! another upgrade, another learning curve!

15

all working good, but, no USB connecting with iPad and unable to update driver in the computer, no sound… :frowning:

but with HiBy, that convert USB iPad to coax working fine, but no Hi-Res

Also will try later the HiBy with computer, but weird to have a USB Dac, that don’t work in the gain cell, but work in coax?

Anyone know where i could work with preamp gain cell D, it would be great, but the october thing, how and where, i will find that?

anyhow, none of the driver work! version 1 asio and version 2, no sound…?