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PS Audio Sprout100

Name: PS Audio Sprout100
Brand: PS Audio
SKU: sprout100-integrated-amplifier
Rating: 4.5 (30 reviews)

View at PS Audio

As PS Audio's newest, first-tier integrated amplifier, Sprout100 represents our vision of a simple, elegant means of playing music at home.

Sprout represents our vision of a simple, elegant means of playing music at home. We created it for those of us who want quality sound without the hassles that sometimes come with it. Sprout features a phono preamplifier for vinyl, a Bluetooth receiver for music streamed from smartphones, a high-quality hi-res DAC to handle anything stored on a computer, enough power for any speaker, and a headphone amp that drives even the toughest loads. Roughly the size of a large novel, Sprout100 is a source of music for those who want quality sound without the hassles that come with it.

Design

Designed to be compact and elegantly versatile, Sprout100 brings the content of yesterday to the technology of today. Sprout100 offers a maximum-resolution DAC, a variable subwoofer mono output, full RCA analog in/out connectors, a world-class RIAA phono-stage, a z-feedback low impedance headphone amplifier, and a universal internal power supply that allows you to take your new integrated amplifier abroad for maximum flexibility. Adorned with real walnut and machined aluminum knobs, each and every Sprout100 is unique.

Application

Sprout100's ease of use makes it appealing and accessible to those who would find most audio gear intimidating. Sonically notable for its lucid spatial detail, acute tonal retrieval, and commanding noise immunity, Sprout100 is equipped to drive your loudspeakers and headphones better than ever. For those seeking a better, simpler way to play music in their home, Sprout100 will fill your living room, bedroom, or any room with enormous, live sound. Sprout100 provides quality without complication.

Technology

Sprout is a simple, elegant source of music for those who want quality sound without the hassles that come with it. Sprout was designed by PS Audio's Scott McGowan as an answer to the complexity and cost of Audiophile systems. Appealing to the eye and ear, solid and reassuring to the touch, Sprout’s ease of use makes it appealing and accessible to music lovers around the world. It features a phono preamplifier for vinyl, a Bluetooth receiver for music streamed from smartphones, a high-quality hi-res DAC to handle anything stored on a computer, enough power for any speaker, and a headphone amp that drives even the toughest loads.

To ensure the best possible vinyl reproduction, we engineered a brand-new hybrid circuit design that incorporates a JFET input stage, to lower noise and increase headroom, and a passive high-frequency RIAA circuit, for extended and nuanced high-frequency response. Optimized to the cutting edge of digital playback, Sprout100 also employs an ultra high-resolution ESS Sabre DAC (9016) with USB-B input that accepts resolutions up to PCM 384/24 and DSD128: bit-perfect playback for your high-rez computer audio, video, and gamin applications. An optical (toslink) input allows you to incorporate a TV or other modern digital device with your new system. Bluetooth offers versatility, convenience, and one-touch access to a world of content.

Equiped with bleeding-edge ICEpower amplifier technology, the Sprout100 offers 100 watts per channel, with peaks of up to 135 watts per channel. The Sprout100 also features a built-in subwoofer output (mono RCA, variable), allowing you all the rumble you want with the powered subwoofer of your choosing. With one of the finest headphone amplifiers made, the Sprout100 honors and respects the music with a low-impendance z-feedback circuit that is capable of driving virtually any pair of headphones you can throw at it with perfect transient impulse response. Slewing at an unheard of 1,300-volts/microsecond, the Sprout100's headphone amp produces lucid spatial detail and acute tonal retrieval.

Features

FULL FEATURED INTEGRATED AMP

100 WATTS PER CHANNEL POWER AMP

DRIVES ANY SIZED LOUD SPEAKER

ALUMINUM REMOTE CONTROL

RCA ANALOG INPUTS

DAC SUPPORTS 384/24 OR DOUBLE RATE DSD

PASSIVE EQ MOVING MAGNET PHONO PREAMP

LOW OUTPUT HEADPHONE AMP

TOSLINK DIGITAL INPUT

USB INPUT

BUILT-IN BLUETOOTH RECEIVER

MANUAL INPUT SELECTOR

32Ω: 500mW HEADPHONE OUTPUT

300Ω: 125mW HEADPHONE OUTPUT

OPTIONAL BASS BOOST

SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO 100dB AT 4Ω

THD <0.01% (1W, 1kHz into 4 ohms)

INDICATOR LIGHT

6ft REGIONAL POWER CORD

4x BANANA ADAPTERS

2x SPROUT DECALS

OWNER'S MANUAL

DIMENSIONS: 6.2″W x 8.2″L x 1.9″H

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Overall Score 90/100

Deliciously Crispy

Small form, big ambition: the Sprout100 turns PS Audio's do-it-all concept into a genuinely versatile system hub.

The Sprout100 combines a 100W-per-channel (4Ω) Class-D amp, ESS Sabre DAC with USB/DSD/384kHz support, MM phono, headphone amp, aptX Bluetooth and a subwoofer out in a compact, well-made chassis. Reviewers from Audiophilia, Part Time Audiophile and Positive Feedback note a punchy, controlled low end, natural mids and an airy, detailed USB presentation with convincing depth. Build is tidy—brushed metal, walnut top and solid banana connectors—and the unit doubles as a preamp for future upgrades. Ideal for starter systems, desktops, portable rigs or headphone-first setups, the Sprout100 is repeatedly cited as an exceptional value that lets compact systems sound much larger than their footprint suggests.

Positive Feedback

"Great sound, great ergonomics, a well thought out feature set that does everything that is important in this price range and does it quite well."

Part Time Audiophile

"All I can say is that PS Audio has only improved upon what I consider to be its best product ever, and that's great news indeed for listeners both new and old."

Future Audiophile

"The PS Audio Sprout100 is a fantastic, no nonsense, do-it-all audiophile component that I have quickly grown to love."

Audiophilia

"At the mere price of $599, the new and improved Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier excels at all it tries to do; I am hard pressed to find anything wrong with it."

Dagogo

"The phono stage was and continues to be quiet. Given my expectations, the Sprout100’s phono stage far surpassed my wildest."

Audiophilepure

"Remarkably, buzz distortion (e.g., when a record is not playing but the volume is up) was almost non-existent."

Tracking Angle

"The Sprout100's sound was consistent and clear: it's got a somewhat bright signature but with cleanly rendered transients, and a nice sense of rhythmic excitement and "punch"."

Pros

All-in-one modern connectivity: asynchronous USB (384/24, DSD128), optical, aptX Bluetooth, MM phono, sub out and headphone amp in a single box.
Musical, detailed presentation—USB input is praised for a lush, airy sound and an expanded soundstage compared with the original Sprout.
Increased power and headroom (50W/8Ω, 100W/4Ω) delivers punch and the ability to drive many small-to-medium speakers.
Surprisingly capable analog section: a quiet, usable MM phono input and a stronger headphone amp than the previous model.

Cons

USB power-saving behavior: USB is powered down when the input selector isn't set to digital, which can trigger OS warnings/pop-ups on some computers.
A slightly forward or bright top end is noted by a few reviewers and may not suit listeners who prefer a very warm, laid-back treble.
Remote reported as fiddly by at least one reviewer—some listeners prefer direct knob control for quickest adjustment.

Sound Quality

89/100

Dynamics

89/100

The Class-D 50W/8Ω (100W/4Ω) power module is repeatedly noted as having ample punch and headroom for small-to-medium speakers, driving nearfield setups and moving music with authority (Tracking Angle, Dagogo, Positive Feedback). A few reviewers mention congestion at very high output levels, but most praise its controlled, punchy delivery and room-shaking capability when appropriate (Positive Feedback, Audiophilia).

Soundstage Imaging

88/100

Multiple reviews highlight a solid three-dimensional presentation with good depth and stable, well-defined imaging — the Sprout100 can make speakers 'disappear' and present convincing spatial cues (Tracking Angle, Part Time Audiophile, Audiophilia). While not as holographic as high-end separates, imaging is excellent for the price and product class.

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Build Quality

87/100

Build and fit-and-finish are praised: brushed aluminum case, walnut top option, improved solid controls and included solid banana connectors (Tracking Angle, Audiophilia). The cool-running Class D topology and overall tidy construction contribute to a feeling of robust design for the compact footprint, with only the unit's light weight limiting a perception of luxury.

Features Connectivity

95/100

Well-appointed feature set for its class: ESS Sabre DAC (USB/optical), USB asynchronous 384/24 and DSD128 support, aptX Bluetooth, MM phono (47k/100pF), subwoofer out, dedicated headphone amp, remote, and analog I/O (Part Time Audiophile, Tracking Angle, Audiophilia). The combination of DAC+phono+headphone+sub out plus modern inputs justifies a top-tier score; capped at the schema maximum for this category.

Value for Money

98/100

Across reviews the Sprout100 is repeatedly called a bargain and explicitly praised for delivering exceptional capability and sound for the $599 street price (Part Time Audiophile, Audiophilia, Dagogo). Strong superlative language appears in multiple reviews ('stupidly good bargain', 'absolute bargain'), reflecting a consensus that the unit punches well above its asking price.