amplifiers
Get that all-important power to the speakers with these amps that treat your favourite tracks like royalty
1 McIntosh MC462
The most powerful stereo amp to date from an iconic hi-fi maker, the MC462 delivers 450 watts of power to any loudspeaker. The chunky McIntosh look is intact: green details, black body and a silver finish match the brand’s other gear. Dynamic headroom has been improved over previous amps, so it can handle big swings in dynamics without any distortion creeping in. £12,495, mcintoshlabs.com
2 dCS Bartók DAC with headphone amplifier
Not only is this a fantastic headphone amp, driving high-end cans beautifully, it’s also a DAC, using a chip from dCS’s flagship range to bring your digital tunes to analogue life. Power regulation and twin mains transformers keep the DAC and amp from interfering with each other. It even has streaming tech built in, and DXD upsampling, so any song sounds fantastic. £11,999, absolutesounds.com
3 Naim Statement
This is a showpiece from one of the most advanced audio companies on the planet. The three 2001- like monoliths comprise a preamp and two power amps. Each power amp delivers 746 watts of power to a speaker, and weighs 101kg. This is for pushing impeccable audio to the most high-end speakers on the planet while looking incredibly stylish. It definitely does all of that and more. £125,000, naimaudio.com
4 PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP
PrimaLuna’s aim is to make tube amps as simple and inspiring as possible. At 250 watts, this is one of the most powerful tube amps in the world, and sounds absolutely fantastic. But it also includes little touches like a red light next to each valve to warn you if it’s failed, with the amp going into protection mode if one does, to avoid damage. It also works as a headphone amp at the push of a button. £3,398, absolutesounds.com