Tag Archives: headphone amplifier

Ultimate Integrated Amplifier Has It All

Boulder, Colorado, September, 2024 – PS Audio now offers its Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amplifier, with updated features including a moving-magnet/moving coil phono stage, a built-in improved high-resolution DAC, a Class A analog preamp stage, a headphone output, 150 watts of output power, and more.



Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The Stellar Strata MK2 significantly improves upon the original Strata concept of providing a superb-sounding, versatile high-end integrated amplifier. Designing the Strata MK2 gave us the opportunity to implement our latest technical advancements in an all-in-one audio component that offers exceptional sound, has an attractive, compact design, and is easy to use.”

Analog enthusiasts can now enjoy the benefits of superior vinyl playback, thanks to the PS Audio’s Stellar Strata MK2’s new moving magnet/moving coil phono stage. Two stereo pairs of MM and MC RCA phono inputs are provided, plus two RCA and XLR line-level inputs. The Strata MK2 features fully balanced analog preamplifier circuitry.

It’s equally flexible in accommodating digital sources.

The Strata MK2’s built-in DAC can deliver up to 384kHz digital audio (depending on the source), with native DSD capability up to DSD256. The Strata MK2 includes one optical and two coaxial digital inputs, plus asynchronous USB and two I2S inputs. For headphone listeners, the Strata MK2 offers a top-quality Class A headphone amplifier.

The DAC utilizes PS Audio’s exclusive Digital Lens technology to deliver extraordinary sound quality from any digital source. All digital signals are fed in native mode into the DAC’s proprietary Digital Lens, which recognizes the sample rate, re-clocks the data, reduces jitter, and applies other processing.

The Stellar Strata MK2 is fully balanced from input to output, for extremely transparent, detailed sound quality and ultra-quiet operation. Its Class A preamplifier stage features PS Audio’s exclusive analog Gain Cell variable-gain volume circuitry, which eliminates the sonic degradation that can be caused by conventional volume controls.

A high-current, Class D hybrid output stage with exceptional linearity delivers 150 watts of power (into 4 ohms), to ensure that the most delicate musical details are faithfully conveyed, as well as the most complex orchestral crescendos.

Also available in black.

The PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 offers a number of additional performance and convenience features. It’s digital filter for PCM sources allows the listener to choose between three settings, to tailor the response to personal preferences and program sources. The Strata MK2 also provides balance and phase controls (the latter for digital sources), input trim for each source, a headphone volume trim control, a USB port for potential future firmware upgrades, and a trigger output.

The PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amplifier is currently available in a choice of silver or black finish at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3,499 usd/ $4,727 cad. Only available via official dealers near you. For the Silo, Frank Doris.

Stellar Strata MK2 Features at a Glance:

Class A balanced analog Gain Cell preamplifier
Moving magnet/moving coil phono stage
Full-function DAC to accommodate up to 384kHz digital audio and native DSD up to DSD256
Three single-ended and balanced analog inputs; moving magnet and moving coil phono inputs; digital inputs including two coaxial, two I2S, optical, and USB (asynchronous to 384kHz)
Digital Lens technology Digital Lens re-clocks incoming data to reduce jitter and provide additional sonic advantages
150 watts per channel into 4 ohms, 100 watts into 8 ohms; high-current Class A hybrid output stage
Built-in Class A headphone amplifier
5- 15-volt trigger output for connection to other A/V system components
21 lbs., 17″ wide by 2.8″ high by 13.5″ deep

Audio-Technica Intros NARUKAMI Ultra-High-End Tube Headphone Amplifier & Headphones

STOW, OHIO,USA, March, 2024 — For more than 60 years, Audio-Technica has sought to expand the limits of audio technology. With the introduction of its NARUKAMI ultra-high-end audio products, Audio-Technica has taken the pursuit of analog sound reproduction to a remarkable new level of excellence.

Making their U.S. premiere at CanJam NYC 2024 (March 9 – 10 at the Marriott Marquis, New York), the NARUKAMI HPA-KG NARU Tube Headphone Amplifier and ATH-AWKG Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones are stunning, ultimate-quality works of audio art.

Narukami- the Japanese thunder god.

Taking their name from the Japanese god of thunder, NARUKAMI products are designed to ignite elemental passions, while embodying the meticulous Japanese craftsmanship that is an Audio-Technica hallmark.

Audio-Technica NARUKAMI HPA-KG NARU Tube Headphone Amplifier

The front and side panels of the HPA-KG NARU tube amplifier/preamplifier (SRP: US$108,000 / CAD$145,400) are crafted from precious kurogaki wood, Japanese black persimmon wood with striking wavy black figuring that can be found nowhere else. The metal mesh covering that protects the vacuum tubes is evocative of the pattern of the flat needles of the Ayasugi tree. The top of the HPA-KG NARU tube amplifier/preamplifier is styled to reflect the appearance of a KARESANSUI or dry landscape garden, representing water flows.

The HPA-KG NARU is as technologically refined as it is beautiful. The headphone amplifier/preamplifier employs four Takatsuki 300B power tubes, considered by connoisseurs to be among the finest of their type ever produced, and with ECC83S gold pin small-signal tubes. The HPA-KG NARU utilizes a dual-mono configuration and has a fully-balanced drive design, for richly detailed sound with remarkable depth and presence. It offers both balanced 4.4 mm and standard 1/4-inch headphone jacks.

The amplifier provides an impedance selector switch to perfectly match with the widest range of headphones. No effort was spared in the quality of the internal components, which include amorphous-core silver-wire Lundahl input and output transformers to deliver the highest level of sonic clarity. In addition to its unsurpassed capabilities as a headphone amplifier, the HPA-KG NARU serves as a preamplifier, and offers balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs. Companion AW-KG NARU headphones are included with the HPA-KG NARU amplifier.

“We spent 10 years creating the HPA-KG NARU amplifier in an arduous process, working our way through 11 prototypes before settling on a design that met our high expectations,” said R&D engineer Koichi Irii. “The lifelike sound of the HPA-KG NARU is a testament to the power of our human approach.”

The ATH-AWKG headphones (SRP: US$4,200 / CAD$5,650) are equally exceptional. Like the HPA-KG NARU, the headphones are handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan, from rare kurogaki wood. In addition to its distinctive appearance, the acoustic properties of the kurogaki housings contribute to the headphones’ extraordinary sound quality. The hand-applied lacquer finish brings out the wood’s natural beauty.

Audio-Technica NARUKAMI ATH-AWKG Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones

The ATH-AWKG features purpose-designed 53-mm drivers with Permendur magnetic circuitry. Each driver is equipped with a titanium flange and a 6N-OFC high-purity oxygen-free voice coil to ensure precise movement and optimum signal transfer. Audio-Technica’s exclusive D.A.D.S. Double Air Damping System provides smooth, accurate bass response.

The ATH-AWKG is designed for maximum long-wearing comfort, and is supplied with an additional set of ZMF Universe Hybrid earpads for a unique alternate listening experience. The headphones are equipped with Audio-Technica’s A2DC jacks and two 9.8-foot (3.0 mm) detachable cables with 4-pin balanced and standard 1/4-inch jacks. Adding to its elegance, the ATH-AWKG comes in a presentation box with kurogaki wood accents.

Audio-Technica was founded in 1962 with the mission of producing high-quality audio for everyone.

Though these latest releases are aimed at those with deep pockets and the means to buy the ultimate in design and offering, we have grown in other areas and just as importantly to design critically acclaimed headphones, turntables and microphones at all price points. We have retained the belief that great audio should not be enjoyed only by the select few, but accessible to all. Building upon our analog heritage, we work to expand the limits of audio technology, pursuing an ever-changing purity of sound that creates connections and enriches lives.