PS Audio Sprout100 Complete HiFi DAC Amp, High Resolution High Fidelity Audio for Digital, Analog, Vinyl, and Bluetooth (Real Walnut)

This little Sprout 100 is fantastic. My previous HiFi system came in at around $40,000. Acquired and upgraded over 20 years. I am an audiophile. This means I am very picky. I bought this sprout 100, thinking it would be returned within 2 days. I could not believe the reviews, so positive, on such a low cost item. Bluetooth, Phono Stage (and a good one for MM), 50 WPC into 8 ohms, 100 into 4, an analog input, digital input, good dac... all for under $600. I was setting up a small system in my living room area. It consists of Klipsch RP-600M speakers (HUGE bang for the buck here), a Technics 1200GR, Upgraded Sonos Connect going into the digital in of the sprout. Audioquest GO-4 speaker cables and Mackenzie IC's. I hate to say this but this little system (no sub, had one, didn't like it with this setup) sounds gorgeous. It does have some 3 dimensionality as well. It images if you sit in the right sweet spot but also sounds amazing anywhere I sit as it fills the room with rich, lush, detailed, big sound. Never harsh at all, in fact, it leans warm. I compared the Sprout 100 to a more expensive integrated, the Musical Fidelity M3si. The M3si seemingly had much more power or gain, something... but it was harsh sounding next to the Sprout 100. No way and this MF piece comes in at $1k more than the little sprout. I compared it to a couple of $300-$400 tube amps from Amazon here, no contest, the Sprout 100 had a much more audiophile kind of sound. Focused on stage, imaging and separation of instruments like I never heard in any amp under $1000. I normally had to jump to the $2k level to get this kind of separation and detail. This is the perfect integrated amp for ANYONE wanting to upgrade from those crappy receivers sold at big box stores. For anyone wanting a taste of high end. Anyone who wants a one box solution that will SOUND GREAT. No this does not compete with a $2500 or $10,000 integrated (I've had them) but for what it is, it is the best I have used. THE SOUND With my equipment (listed above) the sound is big, room filling, never harsh, never muffled. It fills my living room with ease and the sound from these $550 speakers is making me feel like I have a $5k system here. I even tested the bluetooth function and wow, amazing implementation. Once hooked up, it remembers your commotion and all you need to do is turn the big metal dial to "bluetooth" and you are ready to stream. It sounds great too though not as good as my modded Sonos into the optical input on the Sprout 100. THE BASS BOOST This Sprout 100 keeps the originals bass boost but now you can defeat it with the push of the volume dial. For low volume listening the boost really fleshes it all out, so late night listening really draws you in. I turn it on for low volume, and off for normal listening. I do not need or want a sub. Many see the boost as a negative, I see it as a positive. Some recordings are thin, and this boost mode really makes everything sound so good. When active though the imaging suffers. So for critical listening (and yes, this is possible with a Sprout 100) turn it off, and for background listening or low volume, turn it on. That's what I found to work best and I am glad to have the option. PHONO STAGE I had a Puffin phono stage that cost me $450. The phono stage built in the Sprout 100 is fantastic, but only if you have a MM cart putting out 5mv. It's not versatile, at all but for me it beat the Puffin out for sound quality when using my Ortofon Bronze on the 1200GR. So this replaced my $450 phono stage, no contest. Much more organic and analog sounding than the puffin, and I really tried hard to like the puffin. It just had a sheen and harshness over the sound when compared side by side. I also tried a Mani phono pre and this one was closer to the built in but offered a bit more versatility with cartridge selection. Overall the built in phono pre is amazing sounding, with the right higher output MM cart. VOLUME DIAL You have to turn the dial ALOT to get the volume to where you want it. I am not a fan of the way the dial works but it works. I would prefer a beefier dial that works like a normal volume dial. POWER I have tested this with the following speakers: Klipsch RP-600M. These fit the Sprout the best for what I tested it with. The sound is organic, full, clear, and has great imaging for what these speakers cost. Setup is essential! On stands, set up correctly. Otherwise they may sound strident up top or thin. WIth the Sprout 100 and these speakers set up just right the sound gets close to systems costing much much more. Dynaudio EMIT 10 - These were a tad dull with the sprout as if the sprout did not have the gusto to power them. These did much better with the music fidelity M3si as that amp seems to have more grunt and current but again, it is a brighter sounding amp. These speakers do not do well with the Sprout (well, the Klipsch does better). Klipsch Heresy III - Perfect match. Sound is clean, clear and protects into the room with amazing fidelity. Dynaudio Special 40 - These are my speaker of the year for 2019 and the Sprout can do justice to them but to get the most from these $3000 speakers you should have more current and power. The Sprout 100 can power them, and they sound lovely but this speaker requires something more to really appreciate them. So for me, the combo of the Sprout 100 and the Klipsch Speakers is a nock out win. Again, set up is important. The room is the most important aspect to any HiFi. Then the setup and placement. Then the gear. We can get Hugh dollar sound and pay much less than we think we have to. The PS Audio Sprout is one example of this and a fine one indeed. PS Audio should be applauded. Never have I seen this kind of value in a HiFi Integrated Amp and yes this amp does give you a small taste of what the high end is. As PS Audio says, it may be a gateway to higher end for some ; ) FIVE STARS.

This is an excellent modern stereo receiver (it just receives Bluetooth instead of radio waves). Physically, it's about as large as a 500 page hardback book, weighs in at about five pounds. It's brushed aluminum on the sides, with a walnut wood top. It is very handsome to the looks. The controls are beautifully simple, on the front there is a volume knob and a selector knob. Rotate the selector knob to your desired source then press the volume knob to turn it on, then rotate it to your desired volume. If you want the bass boost function, just press the volume knob and hold it in for about two seconds. This unit will play all your music -- digital, vinyl, analog, Bluetooth -- and it will play it very, very well. My previous unit was an Onkyo A9110 integrated amp. It was a good amp. I just wanted better, and I got better! The Onkyo was an analog product, the Sprout 100 is an all digital product. How can I compare the two? Well, the Onkyo's sound was slightly less clear and well - defined at mid and upper volume. Think of a good old school analog (tube) television. It was a good picture. Now, think of a modern digital flat screen HDTV. Excellent picture. There's the difference : the Sprout's sound is very clear, very clean, and very well defined. I guarantee you this : you will hear everything in your source, no matter what that source is. One other thing : the Sprout can get LOUD, it has plenty of power, no matter your speakers. I think that speaker selection is very important if you purchase this product. (And I hope you do, it's worth every penny of $599.) Now, it will work with any speaker you may have, but I think that it will work best with the modern speakers, and not the 'old school' ie Klipsh Heresy type speakers. I have the Elac B6.2's, they sound absolutely wonderful with it. I strongly suggest you look at the following : the Elac's, the Klipsch RP line, the KEF LS50, PSB, the Buchardt 300/400 series, and if you're on a budget, the very neat Sony SSCS5. These, to name a few. Just thinking about it, if you were buy the Sprout 100, a pair of Klipsch RP600M's, and a SVS subwoofer, you may never come out of your house again! Think about that TV analogy above. If the Sprout 100 is the electronics inside your TV, then those speakers represent your screen. Get a good screen. What do I like about this unit? EVERYTHING. What do I dislike about it? Really nothing. The volume adjust takes a little getting used to, no big deal. The remote is simple and adequate. Do I recommend this product, the PS Audio Sprout 100? ABSOLUTELY!! Thank you for reading!

The sprout looks and sounds great, but long term its junk. Then the analog board when bad just out of the 3 year warranty. They said I could send it back and have it fixed for $350. What a rip off.

I haven't tried vinyl, only USB and bluetooth. Bluetooth short range, the remote in 6 days has used 3 CR25 batteries. It works about 2 days. I bought the best lithium batteries I could get about $4 each. It uses them about every 2 days. I am pretty sure my unit is defective. The sound quality is excellent, bluetooth range about 15 feet, remote has few buttons and feels rough but the layout is good and all you really need. I am driving 2 Klipsch RF82's. This amp makes a great desktop computer amp.

Absolutely wonderful sound. Sounds way beyond its entry level price. Even the bluetooth sounds great.

Sound is huge, keeps details. Love this little unit.

I have only tried the USB and bluetooth inputs - which both work great. Using Tidal as a source through the USB input (and make sure you set up the output properly) the sound is spectacular and the noise floor is very quiet. No complaints. Remarkably powerful for such a light little thing. I can hear things in music through my speakers like I've never heard before. I only have one complaint - and the reason I didn't give it 5 stars - the subwoofer out sends out a very loud transient when the amp is switched off (but not when it's switched on). The excursion on my subwoofer when this happens is extreme.