Top 5 BEST Stereo Amplifiers in 2025

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Breathe life into your hi-fi system with a new integrated amp

The stereo amplifier is the central component of any hi-fi separates system. It receives signals from your sources (such as a CD player, turntable, or music streamer) and amplifies them such that passive loudspeakers can give the output. You can’t get any sound without an amplifier.

Active speakers have amplifiers built into the cabinets, so you can cover amplification by connecting sources directly to them. Alternatively, you can choose a pre/power amplifier combination, in which the required preamp and power amp functions are kept in different boxes. However, purchasing a one-box integrated amplifier—the subject of our stereo amp buying guide—is the most straightforward, practical, space-efficient, and, in fact, well-liked choice.

Naturally, the choice you make will have a significant impact on the character and audio quality of your system, so you want a top-tier performance that provides the connections your system requires. (Need help making a decision? See our section on how to pick below.)

Eight class leaders across a range of price ranges have been selected by our knowledgeable in-house reviews team, who test tens of amplifiers annually. We are among the first, if not the first, hi-fi journals to get their hands on recently announced models.

Table of Contents

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1. Arcam A15

The British brand’s new Radia collection, with its all-black finish and delicate yellow accents, looks sleek and contemporary, in contrast to Arcam’s previous endeavors, which have always appeared neat. Naturally, the Arcam amplifier makeover’s biggest feature has nothing to do with appearances.

Regardless of the input selected, the A15, the middle-sitter in a range of three, has this strong, accurate, and composed character. Our in-house testers observe in our A15 review that “Arcam was one of the pioneers of outboard digital-to-analogue converters back in the ’80s and that experience shines through in the performance of the A15’s digital section.” “It is crisp, insightful and engaging.”

The sound’s scale—”stereo imaging is expansive, stable and nicely layered,” we wrote—and its ability to manage the harsh dynamics of music particularly satisfy us. Punch and force abound, but this is no muscle-bound bully; the A15 is perceptive and nuanced, adept at tracking a wide variety of instrumental strands.

We were a little concerned about the A15 after hearing how amazing Arcam’s entry-level A5 (below) sounded, but we didn’t have to be. It is unquestionably superior to its gifted sibling, producing a sound with more clarity, scale, and precision that warrants the higher price tag and is a logical advancement.

Even better, it has a built-in moving-magnet phono stage, something that neither its new replacement, the CXA81 MKII, nor its closest competitor, the Cambridge Audio CXA81 (which was once located here) do. However, the Cambridge model, both old and new, does respond with a USB input, so if that’s a concern for you, it’s a good substitute.Otherwise, if the A15 is within your price range, make sure to listen to it; we haven’t heard of a more appealing option.

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2. Rotel A8

This year, Rotel’s performance-focused, low-key A8 knocked Marantz’s entry-level amplifier off its pedestal, which has held the position of our most recommended budget entry for many years. It has won the most coveted Product of the Year Award in the stereo amplifier category in addition to this year’s What Hi-Fi? Best Buy Award.

The new budget class leader combines outstanding build quality with a sonic performance that sets the standard at this low price point, bringing to mind Rotel’s superb, award-winning budget models from the early 2000s.

To start with, the A8 only has line-level inputs and an MM phono for connecting a turntable; it does not have Bluetooth or digital connections.However, since the DAC module in a well priced CD player or streamer usually performs better than those in inexpensive amplifiers, we don’t think that’s the end of the world. Although Bluetooth would have been wonderful, you can easily get by with an inexpensive Bluetooth receiver or a music streamer.

The Rotel does everything correctly elsewhere. The A8 provides more knowledge and is all the more alluring for its ability to uncover finer details, even though the Marantz PM6007 it exceeds may sound more roomy and flowing.”This is an amplifier that just fades into the background letting the recording and the other components in the system step into the limelight,” as our knowledgeable reviewers pointed out in our A8 review. Ignore this one at your own risk if you’re searching for a unique, affordable amplifier.

The aforementioned Marantz is still a fantastic choice, especially if you do want digital inputs, but there aren’t many options at this price range that we can highly suggest. Additionally, the Rega io is a half-width delight that is reasonably priced. If you want Bluetooth and a USB, or if you just appreciate retro design and/or a half-width box, and you can afford the £549 / $549 / AU$1099 price tag, try the powerful Mission 778X.

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3. Arcam A5

In the market for reasonably priced stereo components, Arcam’s once-dominant position has undoubtedly diminished in recent years, allowing companies like Cambridge Audio, Marantz, and Rega to capture larger shares. For many years, in fact, Cambridge Audio’s CXA61 held this position on this list. The fact that it no longer does speaks volumes about the quality of Arcam’s new A5. The A5 is an incredibly good stereo amplifier for the money, just like its more expensive A15 sibling (at the top of this list).

Despite being the cheapest amplifier in the brand-new Radia lineup, it effectively captures the company’s goals.This product appears new and contemporary to our eyes, and it is equally appealing to our hearing.

Since an amplifier at this price range is just as likely to be paired with less expensive gear as it is with more expensive options, it must be understanding enough to not draw attention to the flaws of less expensive partnering gear while still having the knowledge and openness to maximize the benefits of more capable partners.

The A5 does a fantastic job of striking this balance, as our reviews team was happy to report. “It has a sweet nature that while full-bodied and smooth never errs far enough to rob the life from the music,” according to our A5 assessment. Even as the music gets dense, it maintains control and composure, and the lows are pleasantly distinct, commanding, and nimble.

Owners of turntables will be happy to learn that the DAC stage that supplies the coaxial and optical inputs is of a similarly pleasing quality as the phono stage, which is good and expressive.The Arcam will always produce pleasing and melodic results when paired with sources and speakers that are up to par. We haven’t heard an Arcam stereo amplifier this convincing in a long time.

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4. Rega Elex Mk4

Fortunately, the follow-up to the multi-award-winning Rega Elex-R, one of our favorite amplifiers from the past ten years, is everything but a letdown.

At this mid-range price range, it is faithful and revealing, with sonically impressive capabilities that beyond our expectations. It is really uncommon at this level to perform music with such grace and assurance. “We find it difficult to concentrate on specific strands or frequencies to critique, and instead are content to listen to track after track and marvel at how the Rega turns its hand to every song,” our professional reviews team wrote in our Elex Mk4 review. It just doesn’t interfere with the music. That alone is a tremendous accomplishment.It’s the most fun amplifier we’ve heard at this price; it’s full-bodied, vibrant, and has tip-top timing that really supports rhythms.

Customers now have additional options for how they listen to this amazing amplifier thanks to the addition of digital inputs (finally!) and a headphone port, which is also a nice move in the right direction given its high quality.

This stereo amplifier will perform incredibly well if you take the time to carefully pair it with speakers that have a richer tone, such as the KEF LS50 Meta or Wharfedale Linton. We would generally advise against using any bright or forward-sounding equipment.

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5. Cyrus 40 AMP

Our professional review team has been impressed by the integrated amplifier in Cyrus’s new 40 Series, which represents a new beginning for the company and gives it a new, forward-looking line of goods for the first time in years.

First of all, the 40 AMP replaces the brand’s conventional casework with one that is aesthetically pleasing and contemporary, much like the 40 ST streamer and 40 CD player in the line. Although it retains the half-width measurements Cyrus has always favored, it is composed of brushed anodized aluminum and features a glass front.

It has all the connections one would expect from an amplifier in this day and age, including phono, optical, and USB. For those who wish to incorporate this amplifier into a stereo AV system, there is also an HDMI eARC. For its compactness, the amplifier has a respectable amount of power.

However, its sound quality is the main attraction. Regardless of the music being played, the artist is calm and steady and possesses an exceptionally clear and expressive voice. That doesn’t imply that it sounds sterile at all. This amplifier has a little forward tone, but it doesn’t go so far as to sound aggressive or skew tonality.According to our 40 AMP evaluation, “it is basically neutral and refined, balancing analysis and enjoyment better than pretty much any alternative we have heard at this level.”

Additionally, the digital component of the 40 AMP is superb. It is expressive and maintains all of the dynamic and rhythmic abilities we hear from the analogue line stages, regardless of the input.At this level, this new Cyrus is our clear top choice in terms of performance. If digital inputs are not required, the Rega Aethos, which formerly occupied this space, is a respectable substitute.

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Which sources are necessary?
First, think about the sources you have and the way you wish to link them. Stereo amplifiers are more complex and sophisticated than they formerly were; the days of having only analogue inputs and outputs and two speaker terminals are long gone.

The integrated amplifier has changed with the times, as evidenced by the growing popularity of laptops, phones, and music streaming services. These days, a lot of them have integrated digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) that provide digital inputs for connecting hard drives, laptops, and tech-savvy hi-fi sources.

This is practical, but keep in mind that not all digital stages are as well-implemented as analog ones, and higher-end systems can benefit from an amplifier design that only uses analog in conjunction with an external DAC.

Many turntables have incorporated phono stages as part of the vinyl renaissance. While some have Bluetooth for wireless convenience, others have wi-fi/Ethernet with network streaming to make them complete just-add-speakers systems, also called “streaming amplifiers” (see our guide to the best hi-fi systems for more examples). Your needs and the connectivity of any current devices you own will determine what you need.

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• Rega io: This Rega has been a favorite of ours for years if you’re searching for an enjoyable and reasonably priced amplifier without the requirement for digital connectivity. Even though the Rotel on our list is more perceptive, it is still incredibly amusing and fun even though it isn’t very well equipped.
• Marantz PM6007: The more detailed (albeit not as roomy or fluid) Rotel A8 on our list may have overtaken this entry-level Marantz, but it’s still a great amplifier, especially for people who desire digital connections.
• Because it has a phono stage, the Naim Supernait 3 is a more complete substitute for the Rega Aethos on this list. Anyone who like Naim’s commanding and dynamic sound will find the Supernait to be an excellent all-around performer.
• For individuals who desire both ambitious performance and contemporary features, the Luxman L-509Z is a fantastic high-end substitute for the Lavardin. This all-around player demonstrates that excellent sound quality and extensive functionality are not mutually exclusive.

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Are stereo amplifiers compatible with HDMI?

While fewer stereo amplifiers have HDMI ARC ports for connecting to your TV, the majority do have digital connectors like optical, coaxial, and USB. AV receivers that are aware of surround sound are far more likely to use HDMI

Nonetheless, some individuals want to use their stereo system to enhance the sound quality of their television, and adding HDMI is a convenient way to accomplish so. Cambridge Audio has acknowledged this by incorporating an HDMI ARC connector into their Edge A. The NAD C 389, Audiolab 7000A, and the more home theater-oriented Marantz Stereo 70 are more examples that have HDMI ARC.

Receiver or stereo amplifier?

Integrated amplifiers may be referred to as “stereo receivers” or “stereo amplifiers.” Although the name “receiver” refers to the amplifier’s built-in FM/AM and/or DAB radio, which allows it to play radio channels through connected speakers without the need for a source, they are basically the same thing. The Yamaha R-S202D is one such example

Since internet radio and DAB are frequently integrated into source components, these are less prevalent these days.