![]() ![]() Z-feedback innovations reveal temporal accuracy and increased transient impulse response. By adapting new high-resolution/low-distortion topologies, a beefy 240-watt power supply, and bleeding-edge ICEpower amplifier technology, Sprout100 offers increased headroom, lower noise floor, and extended and nuanced frequency response. And with Sprout100’s universal internal power supply (100 – 240VAC 50/60Hz with auto-detect) you can take your new integrated amplifier abroad for maximum flexibility. Sprout100 also differs from the original by offering a variable subwoofer mono output, full RCA analog in/out connectors, a redesigned world-class RIAA phono-stage, and a newly designed z-feedback low-impedance headphone amplifier. We hear you want a remote control, an indicator light, a defeatable bass-boost, and an optical input? It’s all there. Sprout100 offers a DAC with maximum resolution-one that decodes even 128DSD and 384/24PCM. To start, Sprout100 offers double the output power, which-apart from providing renewed efficiency, lowered distortion, and greater separation and detail-also serves to galvanize the sonic benefits of extended headroom. How is Sprout100 different from the original? And all the sound quality you have come to expect from PS Audio. Materials of machined and bead-blasted aluminum. Sprout100 is identical to the original PS Audio Sprout in many ways as well: size, shape, look and feel. Many improvements have been made: we doubled the output power, we fully redesigned the headphone amplifier, and we included Stereo-RCA analog in/outputs, a DAC that decodes full resolution PCM & DSD, a subwoofer output, and a sleek, brushed aluminum remote control. Sprout ships in late November, just in time for the winter holidays.Sprout100 is the all-new, heavily-updated replacement for the original PS Audio Sprout. I could easily see this as an entry-level integrated for a college student’s first Real Stereo, or as the backbone of an office system where space is at a premium - or, for that matter, for my sane friends who don’t believe that amps should double as space heaters. Oftentimes, longer listening can reveal more subtle issues, but my initial reaction was that Sprout offers excellent sound, versatility, and looks for a very reasonable price tag. “Morning” was very sweet, smooth, and listenable, without the etched sound I tend to associate with class D amplification. While I wasn’t able to listen long enough to answer questions about long-term listening fatigue, my experience with an LP of Beck’s Morning Phase was rewarding. The next question, of course, is whether the sound is satisfactory. We’ve established that the looks and function are very much there. What this translates to for my frightened non-audiophile friends is “No, really, just plug in your speakers, plug in your turntable, and go.” Easy-peasy. The unit is an integrated amp with 50 watts per channel, an analog preamp, 192/24 asynchronous DAC, MM phono stage, low impedance headphone amp, and AptX Bluetooth receiver. Sprout offers a load of functionality in its cute little package. The set-up was flanked by Golden Ear Aon 3 loudspeakers (about $1,000/pair), and a white Pro-Ject turntable and vintage reel-to-reel deck completed the picture. Sprout ($799), with its brushed silver sides and walnut top panel, fit right in. The small room adjacent to PS Audio’s larger system was done up in superb first-nice-apartment style: a white IKEA couch, cool Mid-Century-esque lowboy and end tables, and Marilyn Monroe on the wall. PS Audio‘s Sprout Lounge at RMAF demonstrated that they’re well aware of these desires. Folks want something easy to use that fits with their aesthetic and their budget, and they’re hungry for bigger, better sound than what they’re getting from their laptop speakers. If it looks sexy, so much the better in a world of iThingies, it doesn’t do to stick out like a black plastic sore thumb. I’m always on the look out for great gear that will intrigue friends who otherwise throw up their hands and shriek “I don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ babies!” when presented with putting together a sound system. ![]()
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