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Showing 1 of 138 conversations about:
Edge
47
Aug 14, 2015
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mydonkeykongI have no recommendation. However, I purchased a set of Sonus Faber Toy Monitors to go with this amp. I'll report back how well they pair.
Highzoot
0
Aug 14, 2015
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mydonkeykongI have a set of Zu Audio Cubes I'll be using with the Sprout.
DJKaotica
9
Aug 14, 2015
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mydonkeykongI managed to snag a pair of LS50s from the drop that sold out right away earlier this week. The power output of this amp is on the lower side for them, but I'll let you know what I think when everything arrives. Still have to find stands for the speakers though.
mydonkeykong
54
Aug 15, 2015
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EdgeOk, it is a Toy, lol, but a very expensive one. Please report back.
Edge
47
Sep 3, 2015
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mydonkeykongI received my Sprout yesterday. I have to say, I have mixed emotions about it. The audio quality is indeed very good. I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds, and I'll likely keep it solely for the sound quality.
Now the build quality, I was pretty disappointed in (Edit: it's not the build _quality_, it's the _design_). I replaced a Sony ES integrated amp with the Sprout. I must say, while two entirely different animals, the quality of the Sony ES was far and above that of the Sprout. I use bare wire for my speakers and actually had to downgrade my wire to a higher gauge because of the chincy speaker terminals. Even the cheap wire I went with would barely fit. Guess I need to get some banana plugs. The knobs on the front are held in place with a set screw and the hole for the set screw is very visible, depending on where the knob is pointed. The headphone 1/4" -> 1/8" adapter supplied feels like it's made of brass-plated tin. Very "cheap." And finally the case looks good from arm's length, but I'm not impressed with either the wood or the metal texture up close.
All in all, I'm very happy with the purchase. It does sound very good. I feel the price I received on MassDrop is very fair for what I received, and I would certainly recommend the Sprout to others. I am just disappointed at the case design. I would have much rather spent another $50 for a better design.
By the way, my choice of a pair of Sonus Faber Toy Monitors was spot on. Love them. I paired them with an REL T-5 sub. For inputs, I'm using a Pioneer PL-518 TT, and a Sonos Connect as sources. BT input works flawlessly as well, by the way.
Now the build quality, I was pretty disappointed in (Edit: it's not the build _quality_, it's the _design_). I replaced a Sony ES integrated amp with the Sprout. I must say, while two entirely different animals, the quality of the Sony ES was far and above that of the Sprout. I use bare wire for my speakers and actually had to downgrade my wire to a higher gauge because of the chincy speaker terminals. Even the cheap wire I went with would barely fit. Guess I need to get some banana plugs. The knobs on the front are held in place with a set screw and the hole for the set screw is very visible, depending on where the knob is pointed. The headphone 1/4" -> 1/8" adapter supplied feels like it's made of brass-plated tin. Very "cheap." And finally the case looks good from arm's length, but I'm not impressed with either the wood or the metal texture up close.
All in all, I'm very happy with the purchase. It does sound very good. I feel the price I received on MassDrop is very fair for what I received, and I would certainly recommend the Sprout to others. I am just disappointed at the case design. I would have much rather spent another $50 for a better design.
By the way, my choice of a pair of Sonus Faber Toy Monitors was spot on. Love them. I paired them with an REL T-5 sub. For inputs, I'm using a Pioneer PL-518 TT, and a Sonos Connect as sources. BT input works flawlessly as well, by the way.
mydonkeykong
54
Mar 18, 2017
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flxfxpAfter using the Sprout for a few months, I have decided to part it and have bought a refurbished Sony HAP-S1 for similar price. The Sony is better in many way. I can up load my music, including DSD SACD etc into its internal HD. The Sprout has a faint hiss when the volume is at 75% and up. The Sony sound quality is better with no hiss.
DJKaotica
9
Mar 18, 2017
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flxfxpHey @flxfxp, I haven't tried the LS50s on anything else so it's hard to say how it would compare to your existing setup, but I'm _very_ happy with the sound quality of the Sprout and the LS50s together. When the recording and mastering is done well my albums sound fantastic! Sadly I've also noticed it can really show off flaws, i.e. I have this live recording of Flogging Molly on vinyl that I can't really listen to anymore because the quality just isn't there.
Re: what @mydonkeykong says, I haven't had to push it past 50% so I can't comment on the hiss. My general use has it between 20% and 25% and if it's making noise, it's less than the ambient noise of various things around my house.
Re: what @mydonkeykong says, I haven't had to push it past 50% so I can't comment on the hiss. My general use has it between 20% and 25% and if it's making noise, it's less than the ambient noise of various things around my house.
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