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Our Thoughts RADAR AI

This is above the current used-market center for recent comps: with a median of US$435 and a 75th percentile of US$475, an asking price of US$525 is ambitious unless the unit is unusually clean, recently serviced, or includes extras. It is not a bargain at this level, and I’d want stronger-than-average condition to justify the premium.

That said, the Sprout remains a well-liked compact integrated amp/DAC for desktop and small-system use, with enough refinement and convenience to make it a genuinely practical buy if you want a tidy all-in-one. Given the age of the model, I’d focus on basic operational checks, input behavior, and whether the seller can document ownership, service history, and included accessories; at US$525, those details matter because they’re what separate a fair buy from an overpriced one.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About PS Audio

PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.

Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.

Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.

See all PS Audio listings on RADAR.

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