PS Audio new Stellar Phono PreAmp?

geeqner, I also am curious about how the GCD sounds so if smoorenc could come in, if appreciate that.

I just acquired the s-300 amplifier 3 weeks ago and so far I love it. I'm looking for a pre-amplifier with balanced ins and outs. Right now I'm using the single ended ins and outs of my burson conductor V2 plus as a preamp and I can't believe how good it sounds. I'm thinking maybe balanced might take it a step further. I should have my head examined because it sounds excellent right now. Lol. If I do get the gcd I will only use it as a pre-amplifier. My DAC is a Metrum Onyx and I love it, so I just need a pre-amplifier with  balanced. I'm considering the GCD or maybe the Wyred STP.

Does anyone have any input on how the GCD sounds compared to other preamps they've used?

The Stellar GCD sounds so good with the S-300 or stellar mono blocks. I connectthe DAC with XLR cables. It made a huge difference. I also for the digital side use the HDMI cable with I2S connection. I have "Theater Mode" set so I use my fronts (Tannoy XT8F's) powered by the S-300 out of the Onkyo. For digital music (Roon-Tidal), records, CD's (Oppo S/PIF) all just though the Stellar Gain Cell Dac/Pre-Amp. Some pics. I have all on PDF, but I don't know how to share a PDF.  I really like my PS Audio equipment and I am seriously thinking of swapping out the Rogue for the Stellar Phono.
https://4moores.smugmug.com/Other/Stereo/i-BfmnzFd/A
https://4moores.smugmug.com/Other/Stereo/i-bS37N53/A
https://4moores.smugmug.com/Other/Stereo/i-3KksLhc/A

geeqner  "It was also designed to "match" the Stellar Gain Cell Pre/DAC - so my guess is that the synergy should be EXCELLENT. "

My thoughts on why to add the Stellar Phono.

smoorenc:

Hello, I was a beta tester for PS Audio on this device. I thought it sounded exceptional. It was very very good right out of the box. I burned it with a tuner and attenuating reverse RIAA cables and a dummy loads for about 125 hours before I did any serious listening. They certainly gave it the right name. The unit is dynamic, great timing and just has a hint of tube sound, not bloated or rolled off, just that easy musical quality that I sometimes associate moreso with tubes. I did put one of my Audio Magic Bees Wax Ultimate SHD fuses in the unit and that took it further on down the road.

All in allPS Audio should be proud, it is one of the best sounding SS stages I’ve heard and that includes some in the $30k range. 

I would say at 50 hours it started to show  It’s stride. I think it is a monumental value for the sound it creates. It’s not good for $2.5k it is just plain good. If you are in the market for a SS phono stage you owe it to yourself to audition this unit regardless of what your were looking at be it $5k or more in price. 

If I were you I would try to demo one first. I had at least 6 phono pre's in the last 2 1/2 years and the one I settled on is the Modwright PH9.0 if you like tubes in the phono stage going solid state you might be disappointed you will loose mainly sound staging. Yes I also had a Rogue Ares Magnum at the same time the PH9.0 is better less noisy. The best 2 solid state ones I liked were the Parasound JC3 JR and the Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Vinyl