S300 Amplifier: Common Setup Questions Answered
By High-End Audio Products & Audio Equipment | PS Audio | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Product Reviews
Straight answers to the most common S300 amplifier setup questions, from speaker connections and gain settings to standby mode and matching it with your system.
Quick answer
The S300 is a straightforward stereo power amplifier: connect your speakers, feed it a line-level signal, and let it handle the rest. Most setup questions come down to speaker wiring, gain matching, and how standby behaves, so start there before changing anything else.
Why the S300 keeps setup simple
The S300 is a stereo power amplifier, not an integrated amp, so it has no volume control, phono stage, or streaming built in. That means your preamp or source does the switching and level control, and the S300 just amplifies what it receives. If you are coming from an integrated amp, plan for that extra box or a source with variable output.
Because it is the most affordable stereo power amplifier PS Audio has offered, it is often the first separates amp in a system. The practical trade-off is that you need to be deliberate about the preamp side; the payoff is a clean, powerful amp stage that lets your speakers do their job.
Where gain settings actually matter
Gain settings on a power amplifier are about matching levels with the rest of your system, not about tone. If your preamp has a lot of gain and you hear hiss at idle or the volume control lives in its bottom few steps, a lower gain setting can give you more usable range. If your source is quiet and you run out of volume, a higher setting may help.
Make one change at a time and listen at your normal level. If the difference is subtle, leave it where it sounds cleanest and stop adjusting; gain is not a tuning tool for bass or treble.
S300 setup FAQ
- How should I connect my speakers to the S300?
- Use one pair of speaker cables, positive to positive and negative to negative, and keep the cables short and tidy. Power the S300 off before changing any speaker connection, and check that your speakers' nominal impedance is within what the amp is rated for; if the manual does not list a figure, ask before pairing unusually low-impedance speakers. Confirm the amp is off and your speaker impedance is a sensible match before you tighten the terminals.
- What gain setting should I start with?
- Start at the default setting and listen at your normal volume. If the volume control is barely open or you hear background hiss, try the lower gain option; if you run out of volume, try the higher one. Change one setting at a time and keep notes so you can return to what sounded best. Judge gain by usable volume range and noise at idle, not by a quick louder-is-better comparison.
- How does standby mode work, and should I use it?
- Use standby for everyday listening breaks and leave the rear power switch on if you want the amp ready to go. If you will be away for a long period or expect a storm, switch it fully off at the rear. The exact standby behavior and indicator states are covered in the owner's manual, so check there rather than guessing from the front panel. Make full power-off part of your storm and vacation routine.
- Can I use the S300 with an integrated amp or AV receiver?
- Yes, if that unit has preamp outputs. Connect its pre-outs to the S300 and use the integrated or receiver as the control center. Do not connect speaker-level outputs from another amp into the S300; it expects a line-level input. Look for pre-out jacks on your existing unit before buying the S300.
- What should I do if I hear hum or hiss?
- First, shorten or reroute signal cables away from power cords, and make sure all components share the same outlet or power strip. If the noise remains, try a different gain setting and check that the preamp is not adding the noise by testing with another source. Hum that persists with nothing connected points to the amp or the room wiring, not your speakers. Isolate one change at a time so you know which cable or setting caused the noise.
S300 at a glance
- S300 Amplifier: The Stellar S300 is described as PS Audio's most affordable stereo power amplifier, designed to make any loudspeaker sing from deep bass to sweet highs. It is a sensible first separates amp if you want a simple stereo power stage without paying for features you already have in a preamp.
S300 Amplifier
