HI-FI AMPLIFIERS
THE BEATING HEART OF YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM
Onkyo A-9010 £229
Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2017 ★★★★★
Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It is agile and has a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs Line-in x5, MM Outputs Headphone
NAD D 3020 V2 £399
September 2018 ★★★★★
A very likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features.
Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone
Marantz PM6007 £499
November 2020 ★★★★★
Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone
Audiolab 6000A £599
December 2018 ★★★★★
An extremely well-featured amplifier – it even has Bluetooth – that impresses with superb clarity, refinement, and a big, airy soundstage. Power 50W Inputs Line-in x3, MM, optical, coaxial Outputs Headphone
Rega Brio £599
Best stereo amplifier £400-£700, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
An upgrade on the Brio-r, this incredibly talented stereo amplifier offers a sound that’s subtle, precise and engaging.
Power 50W Inputs Line-in x4, MM Outputs 6.3mm headphone, record
Cambridge Audio CXA61 £750
Best stereo amplifier £400-£750, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Justifies the price premium over the Audiolab 6000A and the Rega Brio by delivering a superior combination of sonic ability features and build quality Power 60W Inputs Line-in x4 Outputs Preamp, speaker x2, headphone
Musical Fidelity M2si £799
September 2019 ★★★★★
It doesn’t have the feature list of many of its rivals, but the M2si counters with an impressively refined and entertaining performance Power 76W Inputs Line-in x5 Outputs Preamplifier, tape loop
Rega Elex-r £949
Best stereo amplifier £700-£1500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
Arguably the best-value amp Rega makes, with insight and a precise handling of rhythms that’s hard to better even at double the price. Power 72W Inputs Line-in x4, MM Outputs Preamp
Cambridge Audio CXA81 £999
Best stereo amplifier £750-£1500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Class leaders are constantly being replaced in hi-fi – but rarely is it done so soundly as by Cambridge Audio’s CXA81 integrated amplifier
Power 80W Inputs Line-in X4,XLR, USB Outputs Pre, sub, headphone
Naim Nait 5si £1099
January 2015 ★★★★★
Naim’s starter amp is an exceptionally polished performer which combines drama with the insight and subtlety to match the very best. Power 60W Inputs Line-in x3 Outputs Headphone
Moon 240i £1990
Best stereo amplifier £1500-£2500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
A gorgeous piece of kit that puts in a stunningly revealing and dynamic performance. The Moon 240i is in a class of its own. Power 50W Inputs Line-in x2, MM, optical x2, coaxial x2 Outputs 3.5mm
Roksan Caspian M2 £2000
October 2013 ★★★★★
A supremely rounded product with solid build, classy aesthetics and a brilliant all-round sound that works well with all types of music. Power 85W Inputs Line-in x5 Outputs Preamplifier
Naim Nait XS 3 £2199
Best stereo amplifier £1500-£2500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
A fit and forget product in the best sense, the Nait XS 3 slots into your system and does just what you want – delivers music with emotional impact intact. Power 70W Inputs Line-in x4 Outputs Preamplifier, headphone
Roksan Blak £2799
Best stereo amplifier £2500+, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
A well equipped all-rounder with a powerful and energetic sound.
It’s happy to work with a wide range of systems and musical genres too. Power 150W Inputs Balanced XLR, line-in x3, MM, USB, aptx Bluetooth
Naim Supernait 3 £3499
Best stereo amplifier over £2500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
In adding a good-quality MM phono stage and tweaking the power amp section, Naim has made a great amplifier even better
Power 80W Inputs Line-in x5, MM, XLR Outputs Subwoofer, headphone
Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition £4995
March 2017 ★★★★★
It looks no different to its 2010 incarnation, but this remains a top-class amp that works across a wide range of systems and music. Power 150W Inputs Line-in x7 Outputs Preamp
Luxman L-509X £8500
June 2018 ★★★★★
Much more than an expensive retro throwback; its blend of build, features and performance is hard to better at this price. Power 120W Inputs Line-in x6 Outputs Headphone, preamp
Audio Research GSI75 £14,998
April 2017 ★★★★★
This can stand toe-to-toe with the finest pre/power combos at this price; it’s a well equipped one-box solution for high-end purists. Power 75W Inputs Line-in x3, MM, MC, USB Outputs Headphone
Burmester 808 MK5 £28,000
February 2013 ★★★★★
Burmester’s masterpiece may be decades old but a string of upgrades have kept it relevant. Sound quality remains exceptional. Inputs Line-in, MM, MC (optional) Outputs Balanced, single-ended
Nagra Classic Pre/power amp £29,000
August 2018 ★★★★★
Rivals have more muscle, but once in full flow the Nagra lets the music take centre stage. One of the finest pre/powers money can buy.
Power 100W Inputs Line-in x5, phono, XLR
Marantz SA-10 £5999
April 2018 ★★★★★
One of the best digital source components around. Its unfussy disposition allows it to sound at home across a wide range of systems.
Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical
Chord Blu MKII £7995
January 2018 ★★★★★
The most informative and enjoyable sound we’ve heard from the CD format. Partner it with the DAVE and we doubt you can do better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial x2 Inputs Coaxial, USB
Chord Qutest £1195
Best DAC £500-£1200, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
As with the 2Qute, the Qutest is a superior DAC which sets a new benchmark at this price with its clear and precise performance.
Inputs Coax x2, opt, USB Size 4 x 16 x 7cm Res 32-bit/768khz PCM, DSD512
Chord Hugo 2 £1799
Best DAC £1200+, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
The Hugo 2 has a hefty price tag but, at this level, there isn’t another DAC near that can communicate so unambigiously or so effortlessly. Inputs Coax, opt, USB, BT Size 2 x 10 x 13cm Res 32-bit/768khz
Chord DAVE £7995
Awards 2016 ★★★★★
The uniquely named DAVE costs a lot, but we’d argue it’s the best DAC money can buy. Build quality is excellent and the sound is very special. Inputs Coaxial x2, opt x2, XLR Size 6 x 34 x 15cm Res 32-bit/768khz
DCS Rossini Dac/rossini Master Clock £22,608
July 2018 ★★★★★
An expensive Dac/clock combination that justifies its price tag with a performance of exceptional detail, organisation and fine dynamics. Inputs Coaxial x2, opt x2, USB x2 Res 24-bit/384khz
Nagra HD DAC/MPS £23,600
September 2018 ★★★★★
An effort that boasts a natural, fluid and informative sound. If you’re in the market for the ultimate DAC, this would certainly be a frontrunner. Inputs Coax x2, opt, AES/EBU x2, USB Res 24-bit/384khz