How much heat do the M1200’s produce?
Hi,
Good questions. Since I’m still burning in, the amps are on continuously and playing music. However, after burn in, which will end at 11PM tonight (145 hrs), I will starting switching off the tube circuitry via the front panel blue button, but I will always leave the rear panel switch on. If I notice any changes, I will report them.
Thanks for bringing up the classical music discussion. I just listened to the Telarc SACD “Carmina Burana” (Robert Shaw and The Atlanta Orchestra and Chorus). Great depth, super wide soundstage, and great balance of the orchestra and voices. Voices remain intelligible and uncongested even during crescendos. No small feat.
I have not mentioned much about the pace, rhythm, and timing of these amps, but after hearing this familar recording just now, I would say the M1200’s do an excellent job. I found myself nodding my head through most of the recording.
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Hi All,
Received the Stellar M1200s today. They are currently hooked up and burning in.
These replaced M700s.
System is:
DAC: PS Audio Direcstream SR w/ Windom.
Preamp: BHK Signature Preamp w/ Mullard 12AU7s.
Amps: Stellar M1200s replacing M700s.
Speakers: Golden Ear Triton Ones
Even though they have not burnt in I did do a bit of listening already, the following comments are against the M700s which I listened to just the other day. As these weren’t burnt in I wasn’t expecting much but was surprised to note the following:
-More top end detail, and better decay.
-Improved soundstage depth, this stood out immediately.
-Voices were perhaps the most immediate improvement. In the M700s they were a bit thin comparatively. With the M1200s they are placed deeper in the soundstage, throatier, and full-blooded. You can hear the breath of the singer, and this was not something I noticed too often with the M700s.
More comments to come once they are fully burnt in.
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I decided to try the PS Audio Stellar M1200 monoblock power amplifiers after the PS Audio DirectStream DAC had a powerfully positive effect on my main stereo system and after reading excellent reviews of the M700 monoblocks. I received the M1200 monoblocks today (April 13, 2020), carefully unboxed the amps outside, and took the recommended opportunity for spring cleaning (https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/spring-has-sprung/), including the new amps, while the amps warmed to room temperature.
Sounds I will be listening for with these amplifiers are superb clarity, detail, tone and imaging even at lower volumes (“effortless musicality”: “adequate headroom and effortless linear performance – from the most subtle of details to unheard of explosive dynamics”). My main system sounds great with classic jazz, folk and rock, and I’m hoping that these amps may also help realistically open up beautiful sound in more classical pieces. I also look forward to comparing the stock PSVane 12AU7-Tii tubes to Mullard NOS and JAN Philips NOS tubes I have used before.
These monoblocks will be broken in and tested in two systems because I’m currently working remotely and only have my “economy” system available. The economy system includes Linux Roon core music server and network drive; Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital DAC; Magneplanar .7 speakers and Kimber 8VS speaker cables; and no power, vibration or room treatments.
First impressions of the monoblocks right out of the box with the economy system are improved clarity, detail, imaging and punch and neutral tone. The first test albums included: Santana Abraxas DSD (imaging; punch on percussion; clarity in vocals; guitar and instrument tones); Joni Mitchell Blue 24/192 MQA (vocal tone and clarity especially in high range; piano tone and punch; soundstage; spare instrument details); Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac 24/192 MQA (especially the last three songs – for bass and percussion on a limited system); Fritz Reiner and Chicago Symphony Also Sprach Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben DSD; and Cannonball Adderly Somethin’ Else DSD.
Even with the amps right out of the box, Blue and Somethin’ Else are new and gorgeous on my economy system. The details and dynamics of Thus Sprach Zarathustra are outstanding even at lower volume. The amps seem to be revealing details with each new play, I’m already listening more to the music than the system (much like I often do with my main system), and I’ll comment further as the amps break in.
My main system, for which the monoblocks are purchased, includes Linux Roon core music server and network drive; PS Audio DirectStream DAC with Network Bridge II; Magneplanar 3.6R loudspeakers with Mye Stands; REL Acoustics T/9 subwoofer; Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler power cables and Kimber Kable Ascent power cables; Kimber Kable 8TC speaker cables and KS 1111 XLR interconnect. I look forward to sharing more experiences with that system as well in a couple of weeks.
I wrote all of this before reading what others are saying and I certainly agree with their experiences!
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Thanks for the pictures!
[Love those high-tech amp. stands.]
Still listening to the new M1200s vs the ole M700s. Summary: CDs, SACDs, mostly vinyl. Gil Evans: Out Of The Cool (mono), Jason Isbell: Southeastern, LP; ; Grant Green, First Stand LP, Pat And Jaco/ Bright Size Life: Donald Fagen, The Nightfly; Joni, Hejira… Everybody’s just so much closer to me in my room. Hard to write since I’m so much involved with the music. . Donald Fagen now…
She’s dancing in the kitchen…which is good news for the sound system AND for dinner!!
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Hi all…just received the M1200s for Beta testing. currently in the 24 hour stare at the boxes mode before opening and trying out in place of the M700s. Very excited and feeling the buzz from early testers take on overall differences and improvements. I have probably listened to music 6+ hours a day since shelter in place began (BTW my wife came up with a delicious craft cocktail appropriately named shelter in place).
My musical tastes are pretty broad but rock/classic rock, blues, jazz, “Dark Americana”, see the most play time.
looking forward to unpacking and enjoying the M1200s coming of age over the next few weeks.
stay safe everyone.
Bub
current system is CD/DSD based.
DirectStream player
DirectStream DAC - Windom
Stellar preamp
Stellar M700s
Dynaudio Confidence C2
Cardas interconnects and speaker cables
Shunyata power cable
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Very cool, eroper… I’m sure you will notice a difference, as I did vs M700s. Let us know what you think.
This thread is kind of depressing in that there’s a lot of implied “now I think my M700s kinda sound like crap” going on.
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Cool room! Off topic but who is the artist ?
I just packed up my M700s for trade in on my new M1200s. As I did, I was reminded of the great three years I had enjoying so much wonderful music that they played. That includes wonderful times over new and old music with my family, my neighbors, The Beef, and DarrenM who smiled, laughed and shared those special moments with me. I wish the best to their next owners.
Craig
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And I absolutely LOVE the M700 monoblocks!!!
They are fantastic!!!
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I know right? I was thinking the same thing…the 700s must suck lol.
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The 700s most definitely do not suck. We are essentially noting positive differences between two different tiers of products. The 1200s are double the price, and have so far in my experience performed better than the 700s, but I still think the 700s are a really solid product. I replaced a more expensive $4k Primaluna tube amp with the 700s and much preferred the sound overall. Does that mean the Primaluna sucked? No, I think it says the m700s punch above their weight and now the m1200s are doing the same.
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I asked @calord this already. Are you leaving the M1200 monos on 24/7 at the back switch and front button? or leaving the back switch on 24/7 but the front button off except turning the front button on when listening to music?
The M1200’s should be handled just like the BHK’s back switch always on and front switch on 15-30 minutes before using. If you plan on replacing the factory tubes I might leave the whole thing on for four or five days to start with.
The back switches stay on, fronts only go off or on for use (mine are triggered by my bhk pre). It shouldn’t contribute to tube wear, as it functions similarly to the BHK (also rear rocker on, fronts off).
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Hi James
Why do you even need a ‘tube puller’. Are the tubes inexcessible?
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You always find out much more about the replaced component than about the new hyped one in such forum reviews. Mostly those descriptions confirm initial assumptions regarding a certain design, which at the point of a launch are neither welcome nor obvious for most who replace a weaker unit. It’s the same with every replacement, it’s the same with each DAC firmware update, turntable upgrade etc.
Not many are able to describe also the weaknesses of a new release. Either because they don’t want to, have no better sounding comparison, or are concentrated on the improvements towards the replaced unit.
It’s normal and it’s human how this goes and how we deal with it. We will possibly read about certain limitations of the 1200 from people who compare it to better sounding components…but usually not even reviewers do this nowadays…so probably we’ll have to wait a few years. Until then enjoy the descriptions about the improvements and try to enjoy the 700s as at the time they were released 
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I was being a bit facetious is all. Sorry that didn’t come through.
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