PS Audio Sprout
jdjohn
Posts: 3,148
in Electronics
This is the original version with fewer features than the current Sprout100, but the price of these older units should continue to drop, so keep your eyes open for a bargain.
I've had my eye on these little units for quite awhile, and finally popped on one.
Basically, this is a mini integrated amp with analog, DAC, and MM Phono input...also has BlueTooth for streaming from smartphone or tablet. Speaker output is 33WPC>8 ohms, and 50WPC>4 ohms...also has a big headphone socket.
Tonight, I paired it via BT with my smartphone, and started it driving a pair of Baby Advent II speakers...for what it was - a great combination spilling lots of detail. Then I pulled-out a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers, which are actually 4 ohm speakers.
No problem whatsoever making these vintage guys sing
For a small space, or for testing speakers and turntables, this little guy is QUITE handy!
I've had my eye on these little units for quite awhile, and finally popped on one.
Basically, this is a mini integrated amp with analog, DAC, and MM Phono input...also has BlueTooth for streaming from smartphone or tablet. Speaker output is 33WPC>8 ohms, and 50WPC>4 ohms...also has a big headphone socket.
Tonight, I paired it via BT with my smartphone, and started it driving a pair of Baby Advent II speakers...for what it was - a great combination spilling lots of detail. Then I pulled-out a pair of KLH Model Twenty speakers, which are actually 4 ohm speakers.
No problem whatsoever making these vintage guys sing
For a small space, or for testing speakers and turntables, this little guy is QUITE handy!
"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
Comments
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How very cool - I would be very curious how well the DAC sounded
would be a great bedroom setup all in one -
I had one for a while and really enjoyed it. Great versatility for such a small box. I've been looked for one ever since I sold it...
Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!! -
Yeah, I can see this guy getting a lot of varied use. I'm not much of a BlueTooth guy, but it was sure handy last night using Spotify on my phone, going through the Sprout. And my wife brought home an old Toshiba turntable from her mom's, so I was able to quickly hook it up and test it through the Sprout. That sure beats lugging out an extra receiver, or swapping out of my main rig. And with the headphone jack, you don't even need to hookup speakers.
I kept an eye out on hifishark til I found one at a good price. Have to be patient, though. Some people are still trying to sell them for $400+, which IMO is too much."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
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Via headphones, I have been able to compare the Sprout's DAC with the PSA Stellar Gain Cell Pre/DAC. The SGCPD pre wins by a nose. They both retrieve an immense amount of detail, but the StellarGC is a hair quieter...blacker in the background. Again, this is via headphones. With speaker playback, the difference might be less noticeable, depending on one's auditory memory
For grins and giggles, I'll probably continue comparing the Sprout to various amps and phono-preamps. Oh wait, it can also be a line-level preamp..."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
That is a very impressive little piece of tech. I want one.
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The only question is which one? First generation w/ max 50WPC, or newest Sprout100 w/ max 100WPC?"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Best comedy ever made ^
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Wait...I thought it was drama..."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
If it were me, @joecoulson or @jdjohn, I would get the latest model. Zero Fidelity gave it a very nice recommendation (and he disliked the original quite a bit).Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
He probably got some cash on the second review.
