Proof that impressive sound can come from small packages. This is my (almost) one-take review of the lil’ PS Audio Sprout 100.
Intro music by: Oakwood Station ‘What a little Smile can Do’
PS Audio Sprout 100 product page:
https://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout100-integrated-amplifier/
iFi iTube 2 Product Page:
https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-itube2/
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Other Reviews that are worth checking out:
New Record Day Review: (Vinyl)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYC1UGSP6eY
Z-Reviews Review: (Operations / Use)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qED7rGya2WY
Stereophile Review: (Tech Stuff / Good summary)
https://www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-sprout100-integrated-amplifier
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The rest of the gear that I used for this review:
Mistral BOW A-2 (speakers)
Harbeth P3ESR 40th (speakers)
Totem Acoustic SKY (speakers)
Buchardt S400 (speakers)
Buchardt S300 (speakers)
AMR CD-777 SE (CD-Player)
Price:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
One of the best performing mic preamps the Scarlett range has ever seen, now with switchable air Mode to give your recordings a brighter and more open sound. One high-headroom instrument input to plug in your guitar or bass. Two hum-free balanced out... (as of November 27, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
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WaveEditor Audio Recorder & Editor
Multi-track mixing support WAV & MP3 recording formats Audio format conversion Built-in file browser with SD card support Standalone and in-editor recorders Supported import formats: aif, aifc, aiff, alac, amr, ape, au, caf, flac, htk, iff, m4a, mat4... (as of November 27, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $24.99
PDP 500-134-NA-CM02 Nintendo Switch Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller - Blue Camo
3.5 millimeter audio jack supports in game audio and USB chat, adjust volume on the fly using the D pad on the controller Customize your gameplay with dual programmable paddle style back buttons Swap out and snap in different Faceoff faceplates with ... (as of November 27, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price:
In other words it’s a studio Amp, music studio would use this
Even a pin drop a singer taking a breath can be heard
Fyi S400 demos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_p2ZsjBi8
Sprout with PMC 5.22 Speakers would give you extremely sharp pin point details. It’s like live Orchestra. Nothing added nothing taken. Just clean neutral.
Is it Class A ?
The iFi iTube2 is amazing!
i paired this with ls50… just amazing
thumbs up for the video,
not for the sprout,
tanx
Sprout seems to exude a minimalist attitude – the simpler and the lesser and the smaller, the better. And your unscripted reviews – in all their candid honesty – are a joy to listen!
During your tests, did you disable the bass boost or leave it on? 🙂
Great review, but no mention of the remote volume control? For me, the big, unforgivable omission of the original, was it’s lack of RC. You could have briefly mentioned the 100’s RC and shown it, as well. Just saying.
I have always been very intrigued by the PS Audio Sprout 100, as I have watched a lot of Paul McGowan’s videos and he always seems to be full of helpful advice and tips with home audio. Would love to have this piece but don’t think it would have enough inputs for me as I have quite a few stereo components, plus I would like a bit more power than 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Most people would say that is enough power for most bookshelf speakers, but I like to have plenty of overhead power to avoid clipping.
Class D is an industry cheat.
This with a pair of Polk RTi A1’s. Opinion? Thanks!
Wow Sean! Another great review. You did it again. On the point, so one knows exactly what to expect from the new Sprout. Is there a chance you could compare it to a NAD C 375BEE ? They are currently available on the used market for around the same price and from what Ive read so far, they could have a simmilar presentation… Keep it up man!
Very informative review, Sean.
Have you had the chance to review the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell and S300 Amplifier combo? There are a few written reviews but none utilizing a video format.
I’d be most interested in your opinions and how they would match up with let’s say the Buchardt S400’s or the Ohm Walsh 2 speakers.
The class D amps in my opinion differ in their input stage the most: most of them use an IC Opamp on the input. If they can bypass that for a good discrete class A input stage or some nice tubes, they can work wonders.
can you do a review on musical paradise mp 303?
Just cut to the chase please!
Always watching your vids man and it’s awesome! Very informative and honest review. Please try to review the onkyo 9010 integrated amp or 9030 since you have reviewed marantz and denon’s intrgrated entry level amp. Keep it up man!
Let’s here this against the Rega Brio 😉
I like your honesty so am now a subscriber to your channel
This and the p3esr on a desktop nearfield? Thoughts?
I wonder how this would compare to my restored Marantz 1060 when driving Elac B6.2’s? It’s a bit out of my price range though, and lacks tone controls.
Hey Sean,
So where would this fit in when compared to, let’s say, a Rega Brio (2017) and a NAD 316 BEE?
Ron is awesome so are you