Wow, really is a stellar question. Tried adding grease?

 Than a stradic or sustain there for will have a little more resistance when free spinning than the stradic/ sustain

The old 'out of the box' test 

Try again in three months, sometimes they feel a bit stuff and loosen up over time once the gears wear in. The Stradic won't be as smooth. Also there is a massive difference in the gear ratio which will make the Stella feel like poo compared. 

 I had a similar issue with a 2013 5000 HG. I had the 5000 back in at the retailer's store after the first week. I felt there was a bit of play in the handle and it did feel somewhat rough (not silky Certate smooth which was the comparison I was using at the time).

It was begrudgingly sent back to Shimano (the shop 'assistant' even suggested I expect nothing from them except a bill for the postage?!), however it was returned promptly after a week without play and nice and smooth and a courtesy note from Shimano. Great service from them not so much from the retailer.

Anyway that was exactly 12 months ago and the little 5000 has had a great workout since and is far smoother than anything else i have including two Certates and a Catalina (can't compare against stradic sustain or Saltiga unfortunately). I look after my gear, but the Stellas have shown no signs of needing services yet, have seen a fair share of water (though no full immersion) and skull dragged some reasonable fish when needed.

Since i own a larger model as well (8000) and experienced no problems with it, I assume that perhaps there are the occasional issues in production when quality levels slip. This might be the same with any manufacturer and then it comes down to how the OEM and retailer deal with issues if not found on the production line. Alan Hawk noted a few issues pertaining to quality blemishes when he'd disassembled the Stella for review, but there's certainly been no long lasting issue for me.

I have 1 that Im willing to swab for the Stella

You didn't state whigh model Stella you have, but it sounds like it may be a SWB?

The new Stella SWB and FI series have rubber seals to prevent water ingress through the handles, and are less free spinning than the Stella SW and FE series, I'd say the FI feels about the same as the Daiwa Catalina. I can't personally compare the SWB as I don't own one.

Regarding smoothness:  Again, can't vouch for the SWB series, but my own Stella SW4000XG is slightly less smooth than my SW5000 and the SW10000. More gears that are meshing per revolution, I would assume

The same applies for my Daiwa Certate 2510PE vs. the 3012 H models, in fact the 3012 feels rough by comparison.

The point I'm trying to make, is that there will not only be variations in smoothness and free-spinningness (?) between different series of the same reel (due to design changes), but also between different models within the same series (due to size and gear ratio differences).  It comes down to what is acceptable to you as the user (assuming, of course, that the reel is mechanically sound).  Compare your reel to a similar one in a shop, and to other similar level reels.  If you are not exactly satisfied with your reel, you can always exchange it for someting which suits your likes.

Found the same thing myself with the same reel. Even had it serviced thinking it might be the factory grease. As stated above a lot has to do with the new internal seals and gear ratio, still smooth but with more resistance than the 08. My son loves it so it is up to personal preference.

Give it a few winds, they do "wear in" and will be more free spinning

 bring it up here daniel id love to see a 1k reel explode off the stones!!

The high speed version I tested of the new Stella 4000 was very stiff out of the box. It was Chrisp's reel, he sold it pretty much straight away.

I have tried the new Stella 6000PG, a wonderful reel.

 Cheers for the responses guys.. Think it's just the more gears in the little real as I tryed another one in the shop that felt the same since. Like I said doesn't feel bad just little tighter then expected But im sure it will loosen up.. Have and do own many Stella's this is my first of this model but.. Can't wait for the ban to be off so I can give it a run..

Haha it will be coming up with me after Christmas Rob but definately will never see a piece of bait, got a good $100 reel for cliff bashing haha..

Thanks again..

Belly

 Xg extreme gear. Very high gear basically.

Had same issue with my 4000 ,they wear in after a few sessions.Smooth as now

Hey Belly,

There are two different stiff feelings straight out of the box, one is a slight resistance (no noise) when you wind the handle and the other is a noticeably noisy grind as you wind the handle. Out of all the Stella’s we have got into the shop I've only see one come out of the box with that grindy noise and it went straight back to Shimano.

As everyone else has said the new SWB Stella’s come with some serious waterproofing and are heavily greased inside which is where that slight resistance comes from when you wind the handle. I have to say that out of all the Stella’s I own they do wear in after a few trips and get noticeably 'smoother', more comparable to the 2008 Stella’s (gold and silver).

If you are not too sure, and more importantly not too happy with your new reel, bring it in and I'll take a look at it for you.

Cheers Josh

 Thanks heaps josh I've sent you a pm back.. I think it's probobly just as you explained.. Champion :-)