Solid State Power Amp Reviews

PS Audio Stellar M1200 monoblock power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 2: Specifications

Description: Hybrid class-D monoblock power amplifier. One 12AU7 vacuum tube, ICEedge ouput module. Inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 1 single-ended (RCA), DC trigger. Outputs: 2 pair five-way binding posts. Output power (1kHz, 1% THD): 600W into 8 ohms, 1200W into 4 ohms (both 27.8dBW). Frequency response (2.8V RMS into 4 ohms): 10Hz–45kHz, ±3dB. Voltage gain: 30.5dB, ±0.5dB. Sensitivity: 2.08V for rated output power. Input impedance: single-ended, 50k ohms; balanced, 100k ohms. Damping factor (50Hz, 2.8V RMS), 8 ohms: >1100; 4 ohms: >550. THD: <0.005% (1kHz, 1W, 4 ohms); <0.02% (1kHz, 150W, 4 ohms). Signal/noise: >112dB ref. 1kHz at rated power. Power consumption: 27W (idle), 209W (1/8 power into 4 ohms); 1.55kW (into 4 ohms at rated power output). All measurements for Specifications conducted via the balanced input.
Dimensions: 17" (430mm) W × 3.75" (95.25mm) H × 13" (330mm) D (including feet, connectors, knobs). Weight: 27lb (12.24kg) net, 29lb (13.1kg) shipping.
Finishes: Black, Silver.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: S12-A1-0G0032/33. "Built in Boulder, Colorado."
Price: $5998/pair. Sold factory direct.
Manufacturer: PS Audio, 4826 Sterling Dr. Boulder, CO 80301. Tel: (720) 406-8946. Web: psaudio.com.

COMPANY INFO
PS Audio
4826 Sterling Dr.
Boulder, CO 80301
(720) 406-8946
psaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
ejlif's picture
Submitted by ejlif on December 23, 2020 - 10:42am

I'd take a 911 S all day over the Maybach!

a.wayne's picture
Submitted by a.wayne on December 24, 2020 - 2:50am

Agree completely with MF assessment on the class D sound , Fast , punchy and very musical on recordings which changes direction and pace often, only to be let down by their poor timbre , especially on piano’s were everything sounds like a magical keyboard ..

Flatter to deceive they do very well ..!

Regards

sw23's picture
Submitted by sw23 on December 26, 2020 - 8:20am

Nice review. But it seems like it would be more appropriate to compare this amp to conventional high powered budget offerings from Parasound, Bryston and Musical Fidelity than to a super amp. After all this is probably the choice confronting folks in this price class.

Bromo33333's picture
Submitted by Bromo33333 on March 6, 2022 - 11:23am

Agreed, we should at least know how it stacks up against similarly priced things.

Other reviews seem to notice similar issues that are cleared up by adding a tube damper and making sure the tubes are fully seated in their sockets. And a few hundred hours of burn in to let the vibrating elements find their seating. Some also have noticed that not stacking them helps, too.

Go figure. Sounds like a nice effort.

The reviewer wasn't all that happy, yet they rated it as a "class A" so I don't know what they are trying to say.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on December 27, 2020 - 4:10pm

... really are, especially compared to a pair of the NAD C298 amps, which use the Purifi amp modules and have a rated output in bridged-mono configuration of 1kW @ 8Ω and 1.1kW @ 4Ω - all for $4K/pair.

AnalogueFan's picture
Submitted by AnalogueFan on January 2, 2021 - 10:06pm

mmm with more mmm .. will be enough for my WB Chimera .? I don't think they are enough, after this review.

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