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
Rega io £379
Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, 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
Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 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
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 £600-£800, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
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 £800-£1500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
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
Naim Nait XS 3 £2199
Best stereo amplifier £1500-£2500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
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
Rega Aethos £2999
Best stereo amplifier over £2500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
The Aethos retains all the verve of Rega’s established affordable integrateds, but adds a huge dose of extra clarity, precision and muscle to the recipe. Power 125W Inputs Line-in x5 Outputs Preamp, headphone
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