# Stellar Strata vs S300 amp + Stellar preamp
**URL:** https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001
**Category:** Audio Components
**Created:** [May 19, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001 "2020-05-19T17:16:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@grunge1000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/grunge1000)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/1 "2020-05-19T17:16:19Z")
Hello,
What would sound better, the Strata or the separate pre/amp. The prices are about the same but I was wondering which would sound better.
Thanks for the responses.
---
### Author:  [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/2 "2020-05-19T17:54:49Z")
Hey grunge welcome …
I realize your question is on the differences in sound quality…
My thinking is even if the sq were the same in quality…the gain in flexibility by getting the separate
stellar pre and stellar amps is by far a greater benefit for future expandability and growth.
Provided of course if space allows and the mrs. approves
Happy hunting
---
### Author:  [@grunge1000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/grunge1000)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/3 "2020-05-19T17:59:34Z")
Thanks for your input. I was thinking the same but I wanted some additional opinions…
Kindest Regards,
---
### Author:  [@jamesh](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jamesh)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/4 "2020-05-19T17:59:52Z")
Welcome Grunge! I left my opinion of the differences in a similar thread here.
> [@Stellar GainCell Preamp & S300 amp vs. Stellar Strata](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-gaincell-preamp-s300-amp-vs-stellar-strata/16626/4):
>
> This is a great question and I do have a strong opinion on. Yes, you’re right on the feature side of things, but I’ll expand beyond that. I want to get this out of the way first. When we say something like, “the BHK 300s sound better than the new M1200.” Yes, of course they do, they should. By no means is that saying 1200s are bad amps. This is obvious, I just want to make the point early. The way I would describe the Strata is it’s a very fun integrated. I listen to a lot of different music, …
Opinions are what they are, but you may find it helpful.
---
### Author:  [@grunge1000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/grunge1000)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/5 "2020-05-19T18:02:21Z")
Thanks Jamesh.
Kindest Regards,
---
### Author:  [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/6 "2020-05-19T18:04:27Z")
When you make your choice and they have arrived…let us know your impressions…
I’m sure you will be grinning 😀
---
### Author:  [@grunge1000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/grunge1000)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/7 "2020-05-19T18:10:24Z")
No doubt. I just bought the Sprout100 and I love it but I am already thinking of upgrading…
---
### Author:  [@davida](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/davida)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/8 "2020-05-19T18:36:28Z")
Upgrading…seems to never end…happy journeying
---
### Author:  [@cxp](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/cxp)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/9 "2020-05-19T18:41:18Z")
What speakers? @grunge1000
---
### Author:  [@grunge1000](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/grunge1000)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/10 "2020-05-19T18:44:18Z")
Dali Rubicon 2. The Sprout100 seems to drive them fairly well but I assume the S300 will drive them even better.
Kindest Regards,
---
### Author:  [@Minimal\_D](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Minimal_D)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/stellar-strata-vs-s300-amp-stellar-preamp/17001/11 "2020-05-19T19:38:47Z")
This is pretty much exactly what I experienced too. The strata is a really relaxed and beautiful listening experience. As James said, it makes all recordings sound good (not just OK!).
It’s pretty easy to detect the differences between the Strata and the S300. As James noted, most aspects of the sound are drilled deeper with the S300. Some will prefer the Strata of course. Myself, I can’t give up the capabilities of the S300 in favor of the easy listening with the Strata. Not yet, anyway. It may happen sometime, though!. It has a beguiling sound.