PS Audio Stellar Phono

I tried the phono stage and thought it was a great product. My review is here:https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/148322-ps-audio-stellar-phono-preamplifier/
So good I bought it.

@ml8764ag I'd be curious how much the older Musical Surroundings stuff has changed to the III that I have. I'm probably going to dive in and give it a shot. I'm hesitant to take it home for fear I'd keep it. I'd love a Herron but I've heard Keith may be bowing away. 

@smholl ok goldnote research is now on my list to explore. I continue to hear about it so I'll be doing some digging. Possible side by side with my amateur ears and listening skills. 

J-wall...yeah...heard good things about the Herron phonos... haven't tried them...

Re. Fear of keeping....yes been there too but that went away for me pretty quickly because of the sound.

Note:. As one of the other posters mentioned...and others before...the sensitivity to interference is real...I had to be cognizant of my placement and cable routing...but once that was addressed...dead silent.

Shielding is a real issue huh? My cables are a rats nest so I guess I'll have to plan accordingly. I'll most likely pull the trigger. I read a post yesterday about the PH10 being blown out of the water by the Stellar.

The Herron phono stages are sold out. Perhaps used if you can find one right now.

A friend loaned me his Stellar. I connected it to my system, powered it up and did something else for a few hours while it warmed up. I returned, put the stylus in the groove and settled in. A few seconds later, an enormous pop in both channels and low amplitude, very distorted sound. Glad no drivers were blown.

On a positive note, PS immediately sent a pre-paid mailer and turned the unit remarkably fast (the whole cycle was less than two weeks). My friend has not had a problem since.

So I've yet to hear a Stellar.