Free Download Marantz High End Audiophile Test Demo
Lihuel Harding
In fact, lately I have been on a kick to try and find the best BANG FOR THE BUCK HiFi setup that includes a turntable, digital streaming and great speakers. I just needed an integrated amp that came in for as little as possible, yet offered the most quality for my money. This system is to use all quality pieces for the best sound, so no cheap speakers or recievers yet I wanted to keep my budget to under $3k. Impossible? Nahhh!
When I listen to my reference system I become one with the music. The artists are in the room, performers surround me in a 3D space. This is all from a 2 channel setup. The 3 dimensionality of my main system is stunning. It sucks you in and delivers lifelike music. Most who I demo it to have never heard a true high end audio system, and when they hear mine their jaw drops. One friend even had a tear flow down his cheek after a three song demo. A year later he still says he never heard music sound like he heard it that night. Can the sprout even bring me some of that magic?
Here my total budget was $3,000 for a complete HiFi system that would give a taste of the real high end sound for much less cash outlay. So I decided to build this Sprout 100 system like this:
So a win already for the Sprout 100. Keep in mind though, this internal stage will work well with only MM carts. This is not compatible with low output moving coil carts. But the sound surprised me as normally phono stages built in to an integrated are thin sounding or weak. This one can rock.
After hooking up the Klipsch RP-600M speakers using $30 cables (I am a huge believer in good cables but had to stay in budget here) and then my Sonos I cued up some playlists I use for demoing systems and the sound. I have a mix of music styles that range from just about any genre you can think of.
I listen to the music. I enjoy the music. For the first time my wife is getting into it as well. We now listen to music and watch less TV (how it should be) and she even shops the used record stores with me! She never has been into audio before, and now she is starting to enjoy it. So I am spending much more time listening to the little sprout system over my crazy high end system. THAT says it all! More time with my love while enjoying music!
It can sound a tad lean with the bass boost off but this also brings more detail and layering. It seem like it could use a little more meat on the bones without the bass boost, but I guess that is what the boost is for.
I ordered a couple of $300-$400 tube amps from Amazon and no contest. The Sprout 100 beat them with ease in detail, flow and audiophile traits. One of these tube amps broke after four days. Went right back.
The PS Audio sprout REALLY DOES give a taste of true high end audio. It is a much better option than ANY big box store receiver. It beats some integrated amps up to $1500 as I saw with the Musical Fidelity (with these speakers). It has a great internal phono stage for moving magnet carts and offers up bluetooth as well. I just do not know how they did it for $599 retail!
This amp has it all. It can power most speakers, has serious features and QUALITY features. When you set up your speakers correctly, and match them correctly this little amp can deliver some great music. It will be a gateway drug of sorts to those who have not been here yet, so be careful.
I love the Sprout 100 and feel it offers the best value in high end audio today. In fact, in my 25 years of HiFi I have never seen a better value for the money than right here. I have spent 3-4X as much on an integrated that did not do what the Sprout can do, nor did it sound as good.
What this under $3000 setup will do is give you a small taste of that high end. Traits such as imaging, soundstage and 3 Dimensionality. On a smaller scale, when speakers are set up correctly. But how would you like to achieve that $10k sound from a little Sprout 100 and $1200 speakers? How about $15k sound when using $2999 speakers? I discovered something when testing all of this and found a couple of speakers that I thought the Sprout could not power. The 84 DB Efficient B&W 707 S2 and the Dynaudio Special 40. These are small bookshelf speakers as well and both smaller than the Klipsch, which are quite large for bookshelf speakers.
The PS Audio Sprout 100 is a steal in the world of HiFi. I have never seen anything quite like it, the performance and features, for so little money. It really does have a great phono pre amp and DAC, all ready to go. Bluetooth works and connects reliably and sounds great as well. In my tests it drove every speaker I threw at it with ease and with amazing width, depth and detail but it is not thin or hard sounding, instead it has a nice flow to the sound and a high end character to the sound.
I recommend the Sprout 100 over ANY big box store receiver up to $1000 (Sony, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc). It will best them all with ease and grace. I recommend it over cheap tube integrated amps you see on Amazon. It will best them dollar for dollar and be more reliable over the long haul. I recommend this to anyone who loves music and wants as good of a sound that they can get for the money, and then some. I know of no way to spend $1500 (Sprout 100, Klipsch Speakers, Cable, basic Turntable) in audio than right here. No muss, no fuss.
I love this PS Audio Sprout 100. After also adoring their high end Direct Stream Senior DAC, I am now a big fan of PS Audio. Add to this their excellent customer service and you have a company that truly cares about ALL of us, not just the rich in the audio world. They created the first under $600 integrated I would ever recommend, and it sounds fantastic as well as has all the features one would need in todays world of music.
B&W 707 S2 can be found at Crutchfield or Best Buy Magnolia centers and I have to say that this speaker truly blew my mind with what it was doing for its size. I preferred it to the larger 706 and 705 as it has a sweetness and 3 dimensional sound that is just amazing for the price, though less lower octave bass. This speaker sounds like a $5000 speaker when set up correctly, and with the PS Audio Sprout 100 behind it! Listening to Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium was amazing and bested ALL setups I tested here. No sub needed either in my living room as it has tighter and deeper mid bass than the larger Klipsch! The treble on these is a tad tipped up but not in an offensive way. In fact it is what helps make them amazing at imaging. Delicate, deep and sweet sound here. Weakness? The bass is not HUGE but rich. It has a mid bass presence that gives a full sound but it will not kick you in the gut. Can sound a little thin with rock and metal for this reason.
With that said the Dynaudio Special 40 are indeed very special. If you want an end game speaker that has the best bass of all of the speakers I tested along with the best midrange (no contest) and weight while never being slow, sloppy or overly warm, take a look here. They are 3 Dimensional and just have the most pleasing organic sound wether you listen to rock, jazz, vocal, electronic, rap, country, metal or whatever. Expensive but with their high end gloss finish, and their custom made drivers these speakers are my fave bookshelf speakers and can to be beat for the money. Weaknesses? NONE. These should be $5000 yet they can be found for as little as $2500-$2600 new. You can buy them from Dedicated Audio HERE. See my full Special 40 review HERE.
Really good and thorough review of Sprout 100 which I have finally decided to purchase. Now I was wondering if it will drive a pair of KEF LS50 meta properly, as I intend to used them both for music and movies? Thank you
I know it has been almost 4 years since the last comment, but I just purchased a Sprout100. Thank you Steve for your review. It helped me make the decision to try the Sprout100. I enjoy listening to my music, but my setup is quite modest. I use Bluetooth to play music from my IOS devices on the Sprout100. My speakers are Paradigm model 7s , version 7. I listen mostly to 60s and 70s pop music, some modern Christian music and some country. It is amazing how much better the vocals sound with the Sprout over my previous amplifier. I am really enjoying the sound and the small footprint.
I totally agree with your review of the Sprout. For me it was the Sprout or the NAD D Amp/DAC. Also with you on the Klipsch speakers. Their horn-loaded drivers have always been just amazing for the price.
Klipsch speakers are truly amazing with that efficient design. I have a 752 tube amp driving klipsches with thundering sound. They may not be accurate in a measurable sense but to me, they are accurate at reproducing the atmosphere. Nice review.
You have a nice setup there for sure. I am mostly a speaker guy though. I did have some nice headphones a few years back (HiFi Man, they were insanely expensive). The Mojo is great as are those Audeze!
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