whyaskit
music.
Update below...
The following are a few thoughts on the PS Audio Sprout. I've had it since the 29th of June.
Initial impressions are simply that I really like this amp. Why, I'm sure you're asking? It is incredibly convenient to use and it sounds excellent, with a little care that is.
I've had the Sprout for almost three weeks. I got it from the Massdrop deal and decided it was worth the outlay of $500 for an all-in-one solution that would allow for me to hook up my MacBook, turntable and allow for Bluetooth of various iPhone/iPads that are about. My daughters both are big fans of Bluetooth and it is a nice way for them to enjoy music through the main system with minimal fuss. It has phono (vinyl), usb and a digital coaxial input which make it perfect for my needs. It also has an analog input available.
Convenient, yes, I did, however, have one fairly serious concern that should be noted. One that was brought to light in the Stereophile measurements section of the recent review they did. The Sprout has a peak in the response curve centered at 67 Hz with a sharp drop off below. I decided to try the Sprout and ignore the bass response for several reasons. I few I'll list, 1- my main speakers are the Spendor S5e. They are rated only to 52 Hz. My Focal 706S are rated to 55 Hz. I enjoy the bass by both of these speakers and they do not really get much lower. 2- There is an analog output the I queried PS Audio about and the response was that they anticipated its use as a way to connect a subwoofer. So, it should have a flat response. That's said, 3- I figured it would work well as a preamp if needed or as a bedroom system where bass is not needed.
Sound. Clear, crisp, clean. From 100 Hz up that is. I love how my MacBook sounds playing my apple lossless files, spotify and random MP3 files. Clear smooth sound that does justice to rock, classical and pop. This USB input bests my DACmagic. The coaxial input is no better or worse from the Cambridge Audio when compared against each other, both are nice but different. I do miss the DAC Magic's ability to change filters. The vinyl input works great as well. My Rega sounded very good, lively is a great way to describe the sound. I think it is even a little better than the Cambridge Audio phono preamp I have used as my previous reference. As for Bluetooth. I've not used it with high resolution files, but it worked great. For me, midrange and highs are where music lives. The Sprout gives music life.
Bass, however, is music's foundation. And this is where things get a little touchy. When I was listening to EDM (electronic dance music) I would noticed the boost on certain beats and when the the sound dropped in frequency, it would disappear. Bits of music I knew where there, gone. The bass boost was only noticed when that frequency was hit. Because it is such a narrow peak, that boost really didn't call undue attention. I only heard the peak with two songs over the past several weeks. The drop off is not as noticeable given the type of speakers I use and their lack of low bass. The bass can get a loose sounding at higher volumes.
Fleetwood Mac, Rumors, The Chain has a bass line in the middle of the song that I've heard over countless systems and speakers. If it sounds good, then I feel good about the bass. Anomalies aside. It sounded good. So far, no subwoofer is needed. Not that I probably won't continue to experiment in the future.
The Sprout is also dependent on speakers. It loved it with the NHT 1.1 and Focal Chorus 706s. But didn't like my Spendor speakers paired with the Sprout as well. The Focals have a higher sensitivity at 90 db than the Spendor (87 db) so that could have something to do with it. But that doesn't explain the NHT and its lower sensitivity. (To be fair, the Spendors love my tube amp, while the Focal can just sound messy. At this level, interaction is a big part of how good sound is or isn't)
Anyway, sorry this is long. Lots to say. I love the machine. It plays music beautifully. So far I'm happy I took a chance. Great sound, wonderfully convenient and in a small package. I plan on running as a pre to my tube amp next. Thanks for reading.
Other speakers used
Fostex kanspea
ADS L200
Paradigm Mini Monitor
B&W DM 603 S3
Disc player
Sony DVP NS999 ES
The following are a few thoughts on the PS Audio Sprout. I've had it since the 29th of June.
Initial impressions are simply that I really like this amp. Why, I'm sure you're asking? It is incredibly convenient to use and it sounds excellent, with a little care that is.
I've had the Sprout for almost three weeks. I got it from the Massdrop deal and decided it was worth the outlay of $500 for an all-in-one solution that would allow for me to hook up my MacBook, turntable and allow for Bluetooth of various iPhone/iPads that are about. My daughters both are big fans of Bluetooth and it is a nice way for them to enjoy music through the main system with minimal fuss. It has phono (vinyl), usb and a digital coaxial input which make it perfect for my needs. It also has an analog input available.
Convenient, yes, I did, however, have one fairly serious concern that should be noted. One that was brought to light in the Stereophile measurements section of the recent review they did. The Sprout has a peak in the response curve centered at 67 Hz with a sharp drop off below. I decided to try the Sprout and ignore the bass response for several reasons. I few I'll list, 1- my main speakers are the Spendor S5e. They are rated only to 52 Hz. My Focal 706S are rated to 55 Hz. I enjoy the bass by both of these speakers and they do not really get much lower. 2- There is an analog output the I queried PS Audio about and the response was that they anticipated its use as a way to connect a subwoofer. So, it should have a flat response. That's said, 3- I figured it would work well as a preamp if needed or as a bedroom system where bass is not needed.
Sound. Clear, crisp, clean. From 100 Hz up that is. I love how my MacBook sounds playing my apple lossless files, spotify and random MP3 files. Clear smooth sound that does justice to rock, classical and pop. This USB input bests my DACmagic. The coaxial input is no better or worse from the Cambridge Audio when compared against each other, both are nice but different. I do miss the DAC Magic's ability to change filters. The vinyl input works great as well. My Rega sounded very good, lively is a great way to describe the sound. I think it is even a little better than the Cambridge Audio phono preamp I have used as my previous reference. As for Bluetooth. I've not used it with high resolution files, but it worked great. For me, midrange and highs are where music lives. The Sprout gives music life.
Bass, however, is music's foundation. And this is where things get a little touchy. When I was listening to EDM (electronic dance music) I would noticed the boost on certain beats and when the the sound dropped in frequency, it would disappear. Bits of music I knew where there, gone. The bass boost was only noticed when that frequency was hit. Because it is such a narrow peak, that boost really didn't call undue attention. I only heard the peak with two songs over the past several weeks. The drop off is not as noticeable given the type of speakers I use and their lack of low bass. The bass can get a loose sounding at higher volumes.
Fleetwood Mac, Rumors, The Chain has a bass line in the middle of the song that I've heard over countless systems and speakers. If it sounds good, then I feel good about the bass. Anomalies aside. It sounded good. So far, no subwoofer is needed. Not that I probably won't continue to experiment in the future.
The Sprout is also dependent on speakers. It loved it with the NHT 1.1 and Focal Chorus 706s. But didn't like my Spendor speakers paired with the Sprout as well. The Focals have a higher sensitivity at 90 db than the Spendor (87 db) so that could have something to do with it. But that doesn't explain the NHT and its lower sensitivity. (To be fair, the Spendors love my tube amp, while the Focal can just sound messy. At this level, interaction is a big part of how good sound is or isn't)
Anyway, sorry this is long. Lots to say. I love the machine. It plays music beautifully. So far I'm happy I took a chance. Great sound, wonderfully convenient and in a small package. I plan on running as a pre to my tube amp next. Thanks for reading.
Other speakers used
Fostex kanspea
ADS L200
Paradigm Mini Monitor
B&W DM 603 S3
Disc player
Sony DVP NS999 ES
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