PS Audio's Sprout Kickstarter woos Millennials

winters860

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My apologies if this has already been posted, but PS Audio is launching the independently branded Sprout integrated amplifier on Kickstarter. Go check it out:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2022604828/sprout-hifi-stereo-amp-that-transforms-the-way-you

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At six days into the 30 day campaign, Sprout has raised almost six times the initial $36,000 goal.

I'm not sure PS Audio will have as much interest at the $800 retail price as they're having at the $400-500 Kickstarter price, but this might be the right product and right marketing to do the impossible: selling new hi-fi to large numbers of 20- and 30-somethings.

I'm struck by how much Scott McGowan's thoughts on audio in the modern household fit my own. Also, we're both 31 and living with stereo-phobic fiancees.

A couple of years ago, I actually pitched an amp with a very similar feature set (but a lower target price) to an audio company I worked for. I was told that there wasn't a big enough market to consider it. :smoke:

The goods: Sprout features meticulous and beautiful industrial design in a full-featured integrated amplifier. The front side has just a source selector and volume knob. On the back, you get an IEC power input (onboard switching power supply), binding posts, USB and coaxial digital inputs, RCA MM phono (sorry, "Vinyl" in Sprout-parlance) input, a single 3.5mm stereo analog input, and a stereo 3.5mm analog Pre-Out. There's Bluetooth capability utilizing the aptX codec. Power is 50/33 wpc into 4/8 ohms, provided by an Abletec Class D amp board inside the Sprout.

I want one, even if I'd have to build a 4-1 switch box to accommodate the extra analog sources in my rig (and hold a fire sale to be able to afford one before the Kickstarter ends).

Does anybody else feel like Sprout was built especially for them?
 

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Pretty cool. This is a very similar commercial product: http://audio.teac.com/product/ai-301da/

I don't see this product being popular with millennials at its' price point though. One must remember that millennials are one of the poorest generations with the highest unemployment and far more likely to spend their precious dollars on a smart phone vs an $800 integrated.
 
Not particularly impressed. My wife has one these which seems a similar idea...

NAD D 3020

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Doesnt' have a phono pre amp but you can buy any of a number of decks with one built in.
 
Clever way for a company with a recognizable brand name to raise capital to bring a new product to market and get publicity. PS Audio makes some great products.
 
I think if you have a u-turn, you would be very interested in this product.


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I think anyone who is seriously into vinyl or hi rez audio would look elsewhere. The rest of the masses don't care, if it's simplicity they are after they are are already satisfied being able to play music on probably 100's of other audio devices out there that can do it.

Anyone know how Neil Young's Pono Player is doing? Can't wait until it comes out later this year, just like Sprout.
 
Rather similar to the Mies kickstarter amp (not trying to say it's the same or anything, but since the interest in this thread seems to be in other people's interest, I thought I'd point it out):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2090572321/mies-i100-the-ultimate-amplifier-for-vinyl-lovers

I'm pretty sure I've also seen a LOT of high-end-ish headphones amps/DACs geared toward young-ish people on kickstarter. Not sure if I remember any with phono, if that's what we're excited about ;).
 
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I just have to bring this guy's kicker starter up again. Sorry.

Anyone think the photo shopped power cable is worth $89? LOL.

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I just have to bring this guy's kicker starter up again. Sorry.

Anyone think the photo shopped power cable is worth $89? LOL.

f0712289b8a6288a04f697d7c3e6ea2e_large.png

Well, no, I personally don't, but if you've shopped for power cables lately, you'll know that an $89 claimed MSRP isn't exactly on the redonkulous end of the price spectrum.

I'm shouldn't be surprised at the lukewarm response here to the Sprout on AK, but there's been some real haters coming out of the woodwork on other forums. No matter how you slice it, pre-selling over seven hundred $300-500 amps that aren't aimed at traditional audiophiles is pretty impressive. Wish I was ponying up for one...
 
Ok.. Why are you So 'behind it' then?
IMO $800 for a Pre is erm Odd in this part of the 21st century.

Virtually No moderne source requires one... A purposeless product

Certainly nothing built within the last 30 years. Only a Phono cartridge needs a pre.
A Specialised market indeed, where truly Great/Proven units are available as DIY even for ~$100.
Unlikely this guy will better those, Mesh covered Power cord notwithstanding :)
All hype aside.
 
Ok.. Why are you So 'behind it' then?
IMO $800 for a Pre is erm Odd in this part of the 21st century.

Virtually No moderne source requires one... A purposeless product

Certainly nothing built within the last 30 years. Only a Phono cartridge needs a pre.
A Specialised market indeed, where truly Great/Proven units are available as DIY even for ~$100.
Unlikely this guy will better those, Mesh covered Power cord notwithstanding :)
All hype aside.

No, a purposeless response is more like it.

Firstly, it's not a 'Pre', :no: but an integrated amp with multiple inputs, on board power supply and a phono input, which makes it fairly unique, especially with small T amps and the like. :yes:
 
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It looks pretty nice. One thing I personally don't like about it is its lack of remote control. It might be useful for computer/office setups, but I don't agree with the idea of constantly having to get up (aside from LPs of course) to change sources and/or volume. It sort of defeats the purpose of the BlueTooth feature IMO. I also cringed when I heard the word "retro."

Nevertheless, it seems like a very functional yet simple design. I've heard good things about AptX in particular.
 
Ok.. Why are you So 'behind it' then?
IMO $800 for a Pre is erm Odd in this part of the 21st century.

Virtually No moderne source requires one... A purposeless product

Certainly nothing built within the last 30 years. Only a Phono cartridge needs a pre.
A Specialised market indeed, where truly Great/Proven units are available as DIY even for ~$100.
Unlikely this guy will better those, Mesh covered Power cord notwithstanding :)
All hype aside.

I'm not sure what your point is, here.

I said in my first post that I thought $800 was a bit high, but that at $400-500, I thought it was the right product and the right marketing to reach a lot of people who may or may not already be stereo aficionados. Tell me I'm wrong and I'll again point at the pre-sale numbers as evidence that the product taps into a pent-up need.

The Sprout is a full-featured amplifier that happens to include a MM phono stage and preamplifier output - features that I think add tremendously to the flexibility of the unit.

And I think part of the point of this product is that it isn't at all specialized - and that the folks buying it aren't really thrilled with the idea of building DIY phono stages to plug into similar mini amps.

Haters gonna hate...

Ain't that the truth.
 
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I'm not sure what your point is, here.

I said in my first post that I thought $800 was a bit high, but that at $400-500, I thought it was the right product and the right marketing to reach a lot of people who may or may not already be stereo aficionados. Tell me I'm wrong and I'll again point at the pre-sale numbers as evidence that the product taps into a pent-up need.

The Sprout is a full-featured amplifier that happens to include a MM phono stage and preamplifier output - features that I think adds tremendously to the flexibility of the unit.

And I think part of the point of this product is that it isn't at all specialized - and that the folks buying it aren't really thrilled with the idea of building DIY phono stages to plug into similar mini amps.



Ain't that the truth.

No hating going on here, but it probably has a $20 class D amp in it, and maybe a $50 DAC. Bluetooth adds another what $10? OK so it has a phono stage, we'll give him credit for adding that.

Instead of asking $89 for a power cord, a remote would help, don't you think? At the $800 price point it will be hard sell without a remote.
 
Probably....maybe....this is quickly devolving into the early days of the u-turn threads.


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The Sprout Kickstarter is over, and in the end, 853 people put up $400-500 for one sight-unseen.

That's a pretty impressive feat, and I think it points to a lot of pent-up demand for this sort of device.

In comparison, the much-discussed U-Turn Orbit sold 1007 units through its Kickstarter, primarily to customers that paid $150-250 per unit.
 
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The Sprout Kickstarter is over, and in the end, 853 people put up $400-500 for one sight-unseen.

That's a pretty impressive feat, and I think it points to a lot of pent-up demand for this sort of device.

In comparison, the much-discussed U-Turn Orbit sold 1007 units through its Kickstarter, primarily to customers that paid $150-250 per unit.


Good to hear.

Turntables are still a tiny niche market-- young and old included. Uturn's modest sales reflect that.

This amp fills a need for the 98% for folks that have moved to digital formats and still own CDs.


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