Hegel Rost vs PS Audio Stellar ... Who won? Part 1

We decided to pick 2 of our favourite manufacturers in a head to head comparison; Hegel vs PS Audio Stellar
The PS Audio stack is the Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp + the S300 power amplifier. At first, we wanted to use the Hegel H190 integrated, as the price is very close to the PS Audio, but we had just sold it. We decided to use the Hegel Rost as a result
Watch for a little twist at the end
This is our initial impression. A group discussion video will follow shortly. As always, our impressions are our own. There is no script, no party line, just our honest feedback
Hegel Rost is $3,500 CDN
PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp + S300 amp is $4,698 CDN
Would love to hear your feedback. Please share!
Audio Excellence Inc. is a high end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus faber and others.
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[@stevefick3919]

I bought a Stellar Gain Cell DAC from PS Audio while my wife and I were in Boulder, CO this past summer. It replaced my poor old Adcom preamp. Ran the SGC through my Rotel RB-980BX power amp and the difference was instantly evident through my Monitor Audio Silver 300 speakers. Recently, I auditioned the Parasound A23+ and the PS Audio s300 power amps. Both around the same price. I found the S300 to have a much more open sound stage and the detail was excellent. The A23+ was no slouch either, however, I just preferred the S300 sound better. I purchased the S300 and after around 50 hours burn-in, it sounds awesome. Right now I'm using my old Denon CD changer through the analog outputs and inputs. I also have an old DVD player running through the DAC using the Coax output and input. Haven't got a streamer yet. Saving up for that! Still using my old Technics SL-D2 turntable through a Schiit Mani phono preamp and a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge. Sounds pretty good, but a turntable upgrade is in the works.

[@ralphfurley123]

This is probably the 2nd or 3rd video I’ve watched from this channel, and I’m loving the content!!! So much so that I’ve subscribed to the channel!!! Thank you for your channel!!! ☮️🖖🏽

[@audiorick841]

Thanks for comparing the PS audio stellar line. Not enough reviews out there about that product.

[@billwillard9410]

Steve Guttenberg did a review of the Stellar stack a while ago for CNET, using Magnepans as well. He had no issues with driving them either, but he liked s Mytek Brooklyn DAC a bit better.

[@Ba09035]

Nice synopsis on the sound differences on this price class of gear. The Hegel's have a family sound all the way up to their separates IMO with improving quality as you go up the range. I own the H190 driving a pair of Cornwall III for my living room system and also the full PS Audio system with BHK 300's, BHK pre, DSDac, P15 regenerator driving Magnepan 20.7's on my main system.

[@tlhuffman]

If you guys want to bring a Parasound product into this comparison--and it was a nice comparison--I would suggest the A21+ power amp and P6 preamp which retail for $4600, which is much closer in price to the PS Audio and Hegel products.

[@andrewmanus5686]

Agreed on this, a23 is fine, but not the same as the a21+

[@ousi00]

@@andrewmanus5686 Not the A23 definitely. I heard both A21 and A23, the A21 is much more refined and sounds "sweeter" than the A23, which the latter I returned in 1 week and traded in for a A21

[@ousi00]

It's great to have young folks' doing review too!

[@siphonsnob]

Do you know of any female audio reviewers? That would be great too!

[@TheLassenman]

Hegel proudly made in Norway :)

[@TheLassenman]

Ops yes but that goes for almost any brand these days....

[@drewrobertson6286]

More accurate would be to say Hegel, proudly designed in Norway 🇳🇴

[@TheLassenman]

@@drewrobertson6286 yes i agree. My bad

[@parisstromatias637]

Creek evolution 100A amplifier wonderful sound

[@SuspiciousAra]

just to clarify some crap used in the industry, when it is about listening to radio, there is a radio station that emits, so that is the emitter and a radio that we call it the receiver. it is the same about streaming. the damn thing that receives the media IT IS NOT the streamer. the streamer is the emitter. the receiver is a player. the streamer can be named as a server or streamer. the receiver is NOT the streamer. many of you don't understand this and i would like to see this addressed. just saying

[@MrMrpony]

Thanks for the tip on the Parasound integrated. Need a cheap spare room integrated. I was surprised you thought that Hegel would beat out PS Audio. PS value is so outstanding 🤔

[@dominiquedistefano]

much better sound now.......

[@johnsweda2999]

Not sure it's a fair test the hegel you tried was a lower model, and completed very well You should try the higher model against the PS to get a fair comparison.

[@beslemeto]

Check out Yamaha MX-1 interior.Very similar to Hegel hd390.I would but tow Yamaha Mx-1 and bi amp my speakers!

[@mikerdaniels1]

Did you reverse phase on the dacs to see how presentation was affected?

[@bigjay1970]

Great topic!

[@toffe2ventil]

Hey guys, thank you for your videos. I really enjoy them. I have a question, I am thinking of buying the new b&w 705signature speakers. In your opinion, what would be a good amp for those speakers? Hegel? Rotel? PS? Greetings from Sweden

[@andreasmoller9798]

Jag skulle kört på hegel

[@webberron]

Hegel Rost IMHO did not have enough power for the Magneplanar 1.7 speakers... The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell amp does have the power that the Magneplanar 1.7 speakers need...

[@Toki1908]

How was the power shortage from Rost? bad? I am about to get a Rost and the Monitor Audio Gold100 5G which is 4 ohm impedance 86 dB sensitivity same as Mag 1.7

[@Mister_Fixit]

My röst sound good with mine dynaudio excite x34 👍

[@jonuiuc]

I wondered, whats the difference between the Rost and the P120? Also side question (if anyone can indulge me) would a Hegel P90 be sufficient for a Magnepan 1.7i? or would something higher in the line be required?

[@ufarkingicehole]

@David Rothman what did you end up with. I'm thinking 1.7i for sure. Just need to figure out the rest. I have a citation 7.1 and 2 Harman kardon pa2400s. For pre, I have a few options. I have a Cambridge Audio cxr200 with pre outs, Cambridge Audio Dav Magic plus that can be ran as a pre, and a little dot Mk2 tube pre with rolled tubes. I like running my Dac into the tube pre, then to amp. I am on love with the 1.7i. If I buy another amp I was thinking older JC5 or Rouge Audio Spinks 3 integrated. I would love your input

[@tradeinfos9535]

Great topic guys. Can I ask please what is the pink speaker cable?

[@jeromewhitmill733]

If you can review the Parasound A21 P6 combo that would be awesome and compare it to something from Hegel.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Any advice for a preamp (with dac) or streaming pre to put on my arcam p240 and monitor studio gx200 golds? I am having serious issues finding something that fits or is reliable. Arcam software is apparently bad, nad is constantly breaking down (which were the most obvious choices)...... frustrating.

[@jrushen4235]

At last people talking sense about Hi Fi...

[@tinycraftsromania]

Talk Talk Talk Talk....Just put thoes equipments to test,...

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Badly recorded music goes in the bin, I'll keep my higly resolving system thanks.

[@saquibhussain6000]

Can you please recommend what would work best with horn speakers like JBL Studio 590? My preference is not too bright but nice soundstage and clean bass.

[@buttonman1831]

I honestly believe the Hegel would be a great amp to use with horn speakers. I have had speakers that can be bright or a bit edgy with certain amps and the Hegel seems to excel with these type of speakers. Hegels have a warm textured kinda sound that I believe would compliment a horn speakers natural tendencies for dynamics and and forward highs and mids.

[@saquibhussain6000]

@Larry Niles super man! How is the combination doing for you? Would you recommend something same for me? High five on 590s! I live those speakers. :)

[@mariosupa4027]

Nice. Now how about hooking up those Wilsons

[@mariosupa4027]

Wow Adrian you have a sense of humor...

[@ryanschipp8513]

Peachtree Nova 220se can be had B-stock for $949. A Hegel and PS Audio killer! Much better value than either!!!

[@johnstrickroot9031]

I absolutely agree. The 220se has a great sound.

[@Enemji]

Why get chairs if you all are leaning back? Get wide sofa or loveseat

[@rhwinner]

Linear amps for sound. Period. end of sentence.

[@mrspock9514]

How come you camera is not level ? or do you always lean to the right ?

[@googoo-gjoob]

i think your head is on crooked.

[@taho88]

Looking forward to the Hegel H90 / Parasound 200 Integrated comparison. Although I am seeing the Rost being sold used, open box etc..for about half the price now in some places which brings it closer to my budget. H90 Vs. Rost ?

[@shahidyt]

Tom I purchased a pre-owned Röst a few weeks ago from a Hegel dealer. I’m very impressed with it. I purchased the Magnepan LRS a few weeks earlier and replaced the PS Audio Sprout100 with a Rotel RA-10, but after hearing Jay talk about the LRS and Hegel H90 synergy I started looking on eBay for a used H90, but then found the Röst at half retail price so pulled the trigger. I am very impressed with the Hegel, I agree that the presentation is more behind the speakers and it is very easy to pick out the separate instruments and voices. Good luck finding a Hegel

[@taho88]

@@shahidyt Hey thanks,I have a feeling I will be winding up with a similar or possibly exactly the same set up.

[@Conservator.]

Audio Excellence Canada Hi, I used to watch Paul’s short video’s until he made the one on power cords. After that I couldn’t take him seriously anymore. Did you watch that video and if so what did you think about it? (It should have been an April fools joke imo)

[@MrGorpm]

Did you sit and listen with him?

[@deevnn]

Totally agree...

[@scottyo64]

Is the Hegel a class d amp as well?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

No, the Hegel is class AB but with a patented adaptive feed forward technology, that reduce power consumption in idle and reduce distortion

[@lexicon612]

I would be curious how the Hagel and the PS Audio 2 channel processing would compare with my Lexicon DC2's highly respected 2 channel processing.

[@remiandrepedersen868]

This is more about taste & pleasure, and it is also about which speakers one combines it with as well, so all in all, this test gets junk! Excuse . Personally, I have the hi-end of Hegel that sounds better than other competitors, if one combines it with the right speakers, well & noticed! For you YOU-TUBERS out there, do your homework well, so it can be taken seriously, okay!

[@nicknoh]

All that talk and I still have no idea how these amps sound???

[@googoo-gjoob]

these reviews were spot-on & quite descriptive. if these didnt help you, you are left with buying them & give a listen. i cant speak for Hegel, but PSA has a 30 day return option. _no excuses_

[@craigspencer2927]

It would be nice if you let the viewers listen to the products you are talking about

[@ebarbie5016]

The PS audio Stellar is way overpriced considering that it is based on a dual 150$ ICEpower class d modules! If you are considering the Stellar, better consider Emotiva PA-1 monoblocks which uses the same class d modules and cost only 300$ per block. That is 600$ instead of 1500$.

[@michaelpowell4823]

So every DAC based on the same chip sounds the same? Every vehicle on the same tires handles the same? Every 8" knife slices the same? Just because something has a single part that is the same does not mean the outcome is not different; especially when it comes to sound.

[@parisstromatias637]

The Hegel sound copied the sound of Creek audio amplifiers

[@mikeking7620]

Paul uses Emotiva at home. Tells me a lot.😐

[@OmgkIutch]

Paul said if he had space for the BHK he would 100% use them over the Emotiva. But PS Audios higher end line does take up a lot of space, so the Emotiva was a product that suited his needs better for his situation. Hes not using them because they are a better product, but because for the size they work really well.

[@mikeking7620]

Omgklutch I see.

[@paulomontero12]

Why is ps audio so expensive? Hegel pound per pound the better product.

[@googoo-gjoob]

that reveals you havent heard PS Audio.... 30 day money back trial..... _no excuses_

[@nostro1001]

Not sure this is a fair comparison regarding price range. 1 is an imported product that gets slugged with duties, not to mention the dollar conversion. The other just across the border. Price per se is not indicative of equality. Flip this scenario and match ps audio vs Audio gd amp, (can't recall their model numbers off the top of my head), at roughly half the price or something similar. Doesn't really seem to be fair, however, more probable like for like product. Cheers!

[@nostro1001]

@@adrianlow2114 Thanks Adrian....yes, to my way of thinking PS Audio did have an advantage. And of course it's just individuals opinions as per any review. Notwithstanding, interesting discussion & more shootouts most welcome. 🎶🎶🎶

[@TheEnzoferrari12345]

that s all plain bullshit, they all sound the same...

[@furnaletto]

So another useless video without any sound sample from two amplifiers..???!!!!!!! Great.... no comment on that....

[@user-ed2rq3mb6x]

Don't buy anything from PS Audio other than their power conditioners, which they are fine at. Everything else are overpriced and fairly mediocre.

[@plcamp1]

Zero objective data. Why don’t you folks measure these products? Your opinion on how things sound is valueless, it is just reflected bias. DO NOT REVIEW ANYTHING UNMEASURED! They sound different, yet you are utterly incurious about why? Your ears are NOT a valid instrument. Your reviews are counter productive to your viewers. Audio science review site has it right. Stop the useless handwaiving. Stop misleading people.

[@Jacknjellify531.]

Amateurs !!!

[@suryamoorthy4924]

I cannot imagine u giving PS audio any credence --- i have heard various PS audio since 1986 --- nothing good so far!the fact that Bryston is Canadian --why this discussion ?

[@egis991]

you mongol ?