PS AUDIO Stellar S300 Stereo Amplifier Owner’s Manual
- June 9, 2024
- PS AUDIO
Table of Contents
Owner’s Reference Stellar™
S300 Stereo Amplifier
Safety Information
Important Safety Instructions
READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS HEED ALL WARNINGS
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES,
SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS. THIS APPARATUS MUST BE CONNECTED TO A
MAINS SOCKET OUTLET WITH A PROTECTIVE EARTH CONNECTION.
Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not place flammable material on top of or
beneath the unit.
All PS Audio components require adequate ventilation at all times during
operation. Rack mounting is acceptable where appropriate.
Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on the end of the AC cord. All PS
Audio® products ship with a grounding-type plug. If the provided plug does not
fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms.
When making connections to this or any other component, make sure all
components are powered off. Turn off all systems’ power before connecting the
PS Audio® component to any other component. Make sure all cable terminations
are of the highest quality.
THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THIS PS AUDIO PRODUCT. REFER ALL
SERVICE NEEDS TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or PS Audio® directly if
you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed in this reference
manual.
PS Audio®, the sine wave logo, and PerfectWave® are registered
trademarks of PS Audio, Inc., and are restricted for use by PS Audio, Inc.,
its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. Stella?”, Power Plane”,
MuftiWave, and CleanWave are trademarks of PS Audio, Inc.
This product was designed and assembled in Boulder, Colorado with globally
sourced components.
© 2021 PS Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Rev D.
Introduction
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Stellar S300 Stereo Amplifier.
Stellar proudly represents our company’s commitment to honoring music and
preserving its magic.
Every effort to put musical performance above any other consideration has been
lavished upon this product. It is personal. PS Engineer Darren Myers put his
heart and soul into its design and he’s rightly proud of the results.
Stellar’s design imperative was to produce a truly musical sounding power
amplifier that proudly competed with any amplifier under $5,000. Myers took
the challenge and set to work on a new concept—a hybrid that would combine
the best of today’s technology with time-honored techniques leveraging PS
Audio’s fifty plus years of experience.
The results are extraordinarily musical. Even from the earliest prototype, we
knew the Stellar power amplifier series was going to be something special.
Stellar amplifiers never draw attention to themselves – a rare quality in
amplifiers of any price.
Combine the Stellar power amplifier with its mate, the extraordinary Stellar
Gain Cell DAC, for a complete system. The synergy between these two units is
remarkable.
Each Stellar product is hand-built in our Colorado facility. We take great
pride in what we build, how it sounds, and how the end user is treated. We’re
PS Audio, and making music and keeping our customers happy and thrilled is
what we’re all about.
Contact Information
PS Audio, Inc.
4865 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
1 (800) PSAUDIO
service@psaudio.com
www.psaudio.com
Symbols Found On The S300
| Indicates compliance with European Union Legislation for relevant safety
(Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU) and EMC (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU)
requirements.
---|---
| Is intended to tell the user that parts inside the product are a risk of
electric shock to persons.
| Is intended to tell the user that important operating and servicing
instructions are in the papers with the appliance.
| Signifies that the instrument complies with European Union Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment Directive.
Pb| Indicates that the unit is in compliance with the European Union
Reduction of Hazardous Substances Directive.
Getting Started
Rear Panel View
1 | IEC AC Power Inlet | 9 | 5 Volt – 12 Volt Trigger Output |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Master Power Switch | 10 | 5 Volt – 12 Volt Trigger Input |
3 | Negative Right Speaker Output | 11 | Single-Ended Left Input |
4 | Positive Right Speaker Output | 12 | Balanced Left Input |
5 | Negative Right Speaker Output | 13 | Negative Left Speaker Output |
6 | Positive Right Speaker Output | 14 | Positive Left Speaker Output |
7 | Balanced Right Input | 15 | Negative Left Speaker Output |
8 | Single-Ended Right Input | 16 | Positive Left Speaker Output |
Installation Considerations
Once your Stellar S300 amplifier is unpacked, you’ll need to find a
convenient place to set it. We recommend floor mounting on a platform or shelf
mounting as close to the speakers as possible. If the source equipment (preamp
or DAC) is far away from the S300, it is recommended to use balanced
interconnects if possible. Placement of the Stellar S300 is important from
several aspects: proper cooling and best audio practices. Make certain
wherever you place the S300 there is adequate ventilation space above and
below the unit.
Power Cables
Once you have chosen the location for the Stellar S300, you may use either
the provided power cable or an aftermarket power cable to connect your unit to
AC power. For best results, we strongly recommend the use of a PS Audio
PerfectWave® Power AC cable, or any high-quality aftermarket power cable. It
is always preferable to feed your equipment using an excellent power cable,
as there will be a significant performance improvement over the stock power
cable.
Connecting Cables
Connecting cables matter. Carefully choose your speaker cables and
connecting cables to the equipment. Our preference for input cables is
balanced, XLR type, but wellbuilt, single ended RCA cables are fine as well.
Speaker cables can make or break the performance of an amplifier and great
care should be taken in using only the best match for your loudspeakers and
Stellar amplifier.
Country Specific AC Voltages
The Stellar S300, as with all PS Audio products, is country specific to its
incoming AC voltage. This means the unit can only be operated at its preset
voltage, such as 230 volts for most of Europe and Asia, 100 volts for Japan,
and 120 volts for the US and other similar countries. Immediate damage can
occur if you try to power the Stellar with a voltage it was not designed to
operate on.
Connecting the Speaker Cables
With the amplifier firmly seated in your selected place, it is time to
connect the speaker cables. The Stellar S300 uses custom machined connectors.
These connectors were specially engineered to match the performance
specifications of the Stellar Amp.
The connectors can accept standard banana plugs, ¼” spade terminals, or bare
wire up to 12AWG. There are two sets for each channel on the S300. Most
systems will use only one set of the binding posts to connect the speaker
cable. Use only the finest speaker cables and connectors.
WARNING! Never connect speaker cables while the amp is on. If one speaker
lead is connected (+ or -) and the other lead brushes up against the chassis,
there is the potential to present the speaker with 25VDC. This voltage has
the potential to damage a driver (usually the woofer) in a speaker.
Black Terminal is not Ground
Its important to note that the Stellar Amplifier is a fully balanced BTL
amplifier. As such, the Black terminal is not ground. If connecting the
Stellar S300 to a REL Acoustics subwoofer, it’s important to consult the
manufacturer’s service documentation to ensure the S300 is appropriate for the
subwoofer.
Biwire
Some may wish to bi-wire their speakers to the S300. This practice involves
using one shotgun-configured cable or two separate cables. In either case,
connect one cable to one set of binding posts, the other to the second set. On
the loudspeaker side, one pair of cables goes to the tweeter binding posts,
the remaining set to the woofer section.
Plugging in the Connecting Cables
The Stellar S300 amplifier accepts either single-ended RCA or balanced XLR
connections to the preamplifier or DAC feeding it. Regardless of the cable
chosen, the Stellar will treat the incoming signal in such a way that it
becomes balanced throughout the amplifier’s circuitry.
Our preference for connection to the preamplifier is balanced XLR cables.
Balanced signals are lower in noise and take advantage of common mode
rejection. Single-ended RCA cables can also be good, but we shy away from
their use at lengths exceeding two meters.
Plugging in the Power Cable
Once connections have been made to both the loudspeakers and the
preamplifier, it is time to plug the AC power source in.
The S300 is voltage specific. It ONLY operates at the voltage set at the
factory. Do NOT plug the S300 into a voltage other than what it is set for.
Failure to observe this rule may damage the Stellar.
You are now ready to enjoy your first listen to the Stellar S300 Stereo
Amplifier. Making sure the preamplifier and the system is on, push the standby
button on the top left corner of the S300 front panel. When the blinking
stops and the PS logo turns steady on, the amplifier is ready to play music.
WARNING! DO NOT MAKE CONNECTIONS OR PLUG THE UNIT INTO AC POWER WITH THE REAR
POWER SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION. THIS CAN HARM THE DEVICE AND CAUSE DAMAGE
THAT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
Operation Guide
Power Up Transient
Upon startup, it’s common to hear a small sound from the connected
speakers. This is normal and is not harmful to the loudspeakers.
Output Disabled Mode
We recommend leaving the rear panel power switch active at all times, and
placing the unit in Output Disabled Mode when finished listening. Output
Disabled Mode can be activated by pressing the front panel PS Audio logo
button, located on the upper left hand corner of the Stellar S300’s front
panel. When the logo button is not lit, the amplifier is in Output Disabled
Mode. This mode keeps the amplifier in a reduced power mode, maintaining
excellent performance benefits while consuming little power.
Trigger Input/Output
The Stellar S300 amplifier has a 5V-12V trigger for remotely powering the
unit on and off. It is important to note that the trigger “out” is intended to
loop through to a second power amplifier. The Stellar amplifier does not
generate a trigger signal. An input trigger DC voltage is required.
Logo Button Indicators
There are four conditions for the Stellar S300 Amplifier:
Off – The Logo Button is not illuminated and the unit is in Output Disabled
Mode.
On – The Logo Button is fully illuminated. The S300 is powered on and ready.
Flashing Slow – When the Logo Button is flashing slowly, it is in the boot
sequence. The Logo Button will flash slowly for 10 seconds during power up,
then the Logo Button will become steady.
Flashing Fast – When the Logo Button is flashing quickly and then powers off,
the unit is in Fault Protection Mode. The Logo Button will flash quickly for 5
seconds and then the unit will power down. Read more about Fault Protection
Mode in the troubleshooting section. ![PS AUDIO Stellar S300 Stereo Amplifier
- Indicators](https://manuals.plus/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PS-AUDIO- Stellar-S300-Stereo-Amplifier-Indicators.jpg)
Troubleshooting
Fault Protect Mode
The Stellar S300 is designed to protect itself if it detects a dangerous
signal surge or transient that could damage the circuit. In these instances,
the S300 amplifier goes into Fault Protection Mode. If you see the blue logo
button flashing quickly and the Stellar turns itself off, then it has entered
this mode. This can happen if the S300 is heavily overdriven.
If this occurs, remove power from the amplifier and disconnect all inputs and
outputs.
Then, power the S300 back on and verify that it powers on normally. If this is
the case, then power off the amplifier and re-connect the speakers and
sources. Try playing music back at a low level at first.
If after removing all connected equipment the S300 continues to enter Fault
Protection Mode, please contact PS Audio.
No Sound Comes From the S300
Check to make sure power is going into the S300 and that it is connected to
a live source. Make sure the rear panel master power switch is in the on
position. Push the front panel logo light. Check the speaker cable connections
to the speakers.
Hum
If there is hum coming from your loudspeakers, it may be coming from your
preamplifier, or it may come from an interaction between components in your
system and the S300 amplifier. This type of interaction is known as a ground
loop.
The first step to determine where the hum is coming from is to place the
Stellar S300 in Output Disabled Mode and remove the input connection from the
preamplifier. Turn the amp back on and see if there is hum. Chances are good
that there will not be. If the hum is a low frequency soft sound, see if its
level goes up and down with the preamp volume control. If it does, the
problem is in the preamplifier. If not, it may be in your connecting cables.
Try a different set. If the hum is a sharper buzz it is most likely a ground
loop.
Ground Loops
The easiest way to figure out where ground loop problems lie is by the
process of elimination. You need to determine where the hum or buzz is coming
from within your system. If the hum/buzz goes away when you remove the inputs
to the power amp, your next step will be to reconnect the amp and move further
down the chain. It is important to do this in the correct order and take the
time to perform the test in a methodical stepby-step manner. If you have a
preamp, or processor that is feeding the power amp, your next step would be to
disconnect all inputs to the preamplifier or processor. Once these are
disconnected, and the preamp or processor is connected only to the power
amplifier, turn the system on and listen for hum. Should the hum now appear,
it is a problem with your preamp or processor, or their interaction with the
power amp. Before returning the preamp or processor to the manufacturer, try a
cheater plug to break the ground loop.
Cheater plugs are simple devices that convert a three-prong AC plug into a
two-prong AC plug. In the act of converting three prongs to two prongs, they
disconnect the ground from the wall socket. Try one of these on the preamp.
If you determine that there is still no hum present when the preamp,
processor, or receiver is connected with no inputs, then selectively begin
plugging in your various inputs one at a time. After each connection, check
for hum until you discover the culprit. Use the same method described above
to remove the ground on the offending piece of equipment. As with all products
using switched-mode power supply, proper grounding is important for both
safety and performance. You should not remove or defeat the ground pin of your
S300 for any reason.
Surround processors and any device that is connected to a television cable or
satellite dish can cause a loud buzz and should always be suspect. If, by the
process of elimination described above, you determine it is a component like a
cable TV box that is causing the hum/buzz to occur, and using a cheater plug
doesn’t help matters, it may be necessary to isolate the cable connection
(CATV) with an isolation transformer. This inexpensive device is available at
most department store type outlets and is sometimes called a ‘matching
transformer’. If you have problems finding one, call your local cable TV
company for advice. The matching transformer will be placed between the cable
TV cord and the cable box, TV, or processor.
Something Unrelated Causing Hum
Just remember, take the system down to its simplest level of connection.
Find a way to hook the system up with as many pieces of the system not
connected as possible.
Keep it simple and get it to the point where the hum’s gone. Then, start
adding back components one at a time until the hum returns. Finding the
problem is 9/10th of the work in finding a solution.
No Bass
It may be that you have the polarity of the amplifier loudspeaker
connection wrong on one channel. When out of phase, polarity will cause bass
cancellation and should be avoided. Check to make sure the red terminal on
the S300 goes to the red terminal on your loudspeaker.
Fuses
There are no user serviceable fuses in the Stellar S300 Stereo Amplifier.
Unit Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
---|---|
Unit Dimensions | 17-W x 3-H x 1ID (13″D ‘Wconnectors) |
Shipping Weight | 16 5 lbs (7 5 kg] |
Shipping Dimensions | 22-W x 3r’H x 17″0 |
Color Options | Black |
Silver
Voltage Options (Factory set only)| Japan 100V
North America 120V
Europe/Asia/Australia/New Zealand 230V
Mains Power Inputs| !EC C14
Idle Power Consumption| 13W
Accessories Included| US (NEMA 5-15P) (all versions) Schuko (CEE7/7) (230V
version) UK (BS 1363) (230V version)
Audio Inputs| RCA (Unbalanced) XLR (Balanced)
Speaker Outputs| Copper base nickel plated binding posts (2 pair per channel)
Other| DC Trigger Input
3 5mm 5-15VDC
Warranty| 3 years parts and labor
Warranty Information
Registering Your Product
By registering your product, you are validating the start date of your
limited warranty. This limited warranty is in effect for 3 years from the date
the unit was first purchased from PS Audio or its dealers and agents. If you
do not register your product within 30 days of service, a copy of your
purchase receipt from an authorized PS Audio dealer may be used as proof of
purchase to establish the warranty start date. If no proof of purchase from an
authorized PS audio dealer or registration is provided, the production date
of the product will be used to determine the warranty start date. You can
register your product online, by phone, by mail, or by email.
What This Warranty Covers
This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for products
purchased from PS Audio or its authorized dealers and agents. In the event
your product fails, your sole remedy under this limited warranty shall be to
return the product to PS Audio or an authorized PS Audio repair center. At the
option of PS Audio, the product will be repaired without charge for parts or
labor, replaced, or the purchase price refunded through the original point of
purchase.
Shipping
You are responsible to pay for the safe and proper shipment of the
warrantied product to PS Audio or its authorized repair center. Under this
limited warranty, PS Audio or its authorized repair center will pay the cost
of returning the repaired or replacement product to you.
What This Warranty Does Not Cover
This warranty does not cover damage due to:
-
Accidents, carelessness, improper transportation, misuse, neglect, or abuse
-
Failure to follow the operating instructions that are provided by PS Audio in the Owner’s Reference Manual (available for download at www.psaudio.com)
-
Use in any manner inconsistent with PS Audio’s operating instructions (available for download at www.psaudio.com)
-
Lack of routine maintenance
-
Connection to an improper voltage supply
-
Alterations or modifications to the unit
-
Improper or unauthorized repair, including repairs not authorized by PS Audio or a PS Audio authorized repair center
-
Fire, lightning, flood, “Acts of God,” or other contingencies beyond the control of PS Audio
-
Products purchased through an unauthorized source (if you have questions as to whether or not a dealer is authorized, please contact customer support at
www.psaudio.com -
Products with a factory-applied serial number that has in any way been altered, defaced, or removed
Limitations Under This Warranty
In no event will PS Audio’s liability to you exceed the original purchase
price of your unit.
This warranty does not cover the cost of custom installation, customer
instruction, setup adjustments, or signal reception problems. Consequential
and incidental damages are not covered under this warranty. However, some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. In the event
that your warrantied product cannot be repaired, PS Audio will either replace
or refund the cost of the unit. We reserve the right to replace any out- of-
stock, discontinued, or limited edition products with a comparable product.
Discontinued products may not be available for warranty replacement.
Warranty Transfer
This warranty is for the benefit of the original purchaser of the product.
The warranty may be transferred to a subsequent purchaser during the 3 year
warranty period. To do this, you must contact PS Audio directly to set up a
transfer of warranty registration.
Your Serial
Number|
---|---
Your Purchase
Information|
Date of Purchase|
Service Information
Warranty Service Within North America
Please contact PS Audio customer support for service assistance, help with
locating an authorized PS Audio repair center, help with the operation of a
product, or for more information.
Obtaining An RMA#
In order to receive warranty service, you must first obtain a Return
Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA#) prior to returning any item. Please
contact PS Audio or an authorized PS Audio repair center to receive an RMA#.
The RMA# must be on all returned items. If it is not clearly marked, PS Audio
will return the package back to you, freight collect.
Packaging and Shipping
Original packaging should be used for the safe transit of your PS Audio unit
to the repair center. If you do not have the original packaging, PS Audio can
sell and ship replacement packaging to you. You are responsible for the cost
of shipping the product to a PS Audio authorized repair center. You should
insure the product for its full retail cost, in the event it gets lost or
damaged in transit. PS Audio is not responsible for damage incurred during the
transit of products sent to us. Shipping your product in non- PS Audio
packaging may void this warranty. PS Audio reserves the right to charge you
for new factory packaging to return your product after a repair.
State Law
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights,
which vary from state to state.
International Warranty Service
PS Audio has authorized distribution in many countries of the world. In
each country, the authorized importing distributor has accepted the
responsibility for warranty of the products sold by that distributor. Warranty
service should be obtained where the product was purchased.
Changes To Our Products
PS Audio reserves the right to modify the design of any product without
obligation to purchasers of previously manufactured products, and to change
the prices or specifications of any products without notice or obligation to
any person.
References
- High-End Audio Products & Audio Equipment – PS Audio
- High-End Audio Products & Audio Equipment – PS Audio