Best stereo receivers and integrated amplifiers for 2024

Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

If you're looking to excavation into nan world of hi-fi systems that dwell of a abstracted stereo receiver aliases integrated amplifier that powers a group of passive speakers — whether your passion is turntables and vinyl records, saccharine CD sound, aliases streaming audio — past this database is nan assets you request to get going.

First of all, location tin beryllium immoderate disorder betwixt integrated amplifiers (one that combines some a preamp and powerfulness amp) and stereo receivers (which is fundamentally an integrated amplifier pinch an AM/FM power receiver successful it), but don't worry, we explicate nan quality successful much item successful nan FAQs below. We besides explicate what an AV receiver is and really it fits successful to each of this, but because they're a full different beast, we person an entirely abstracted roundup for those arsenic well.

But backmost to what we're present for. Stereo receivers and integrated amplifiers incorporate a medley of analog and integer audio inputs and outputs, arsenic good arsenic features for illustration EQ adjustments, A/B speaker switching, HDMI, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and tin costs arsenic small arsenic $200 aliases upwards of $5,000. To thief you determine really overmuch (or really little) you should beryllium investing successful 1 of these products, we’ve put together this roundup of nan champion you tin bargain correct now!

Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Cambridge Audio CXA81

Best wide integrated amplifier

If it's large powerfulness and clarity you're after, arsenic good arsenic a scope of digital, analog, and wireless connectivity options, it's difficult to hit nan Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated amplifier astatine its $1,000 value tag.

With its important 80-watts-per-channel output, nan Cambridge Audio CXA81 has received accolades crossed nan committee for its expertise to thrust moreover nan astir demanding of speakers (4 to 8 ohms) pinch full, heavy bass, punchy mids, and detail, and meaning connected nan highs that keeps its cool moreover successful nan precocious measurement ranges.

And while it doesn't person a dedicated phono preamp (a phono shape is required), nan CXA81 is nan go-to integrated amplifier for Digital Trends' turntable reviewer Derek Malcolm based connected its well-balanced sound for each kinds of music.

But if integer euphony is your thing, whether from your ain high-res euphony files aliases done nan various streaming services available, nan CXA81 features an fantabulous soul DAC (digital-to-audio converter), nan ESS Sabre ES9016K2M, that supports up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM (through its USB input). There are besides respective integer inputs astatine your disposal for connecting network streaming devices and different integer devices, and they see 1 S/SPDIF coaxial, 2 TOSLINK optical inputs, and nan aforementioned USB. Additionally, Bluetooth aptX HD wireless connectivity intends up to 24-bit/48kHz from a compatible smartphone aliases different device.

If analog is much your jam, nan CXA81 features 4 RCA inputs for, well, thing you'd for illustration to link to it, specified arsenic turntables (with phono preamp, of course) and CD players. It besides features a balanced XLR input if you must person that other level of interference separation.

Apart from each its method prowess, nan Cambridge Audio CXA81 is handsome successful its Lunar Grey finish, looks bully successful immoderate media unit, and is easy to group up and use. As acold arsenic integrated amplifiers go, you conscionable can't spell incorrect pinch nan CXA81. But, if value is simply a sticking constituent and you don't request 80 watts worthy of headroom, nan Cambridge AXA35 beneath is of nan aforesaid lineage, has a built-in phono preamp, and is only $400.

Marantz

Marantz PM6007

Best wide integrated amplifier nether $1,000

When it comes to integrated amplifiers and important AV components, Marantz is 1 of nan astir reliable names successful nan business. And while you tin walk upwards of $3,000 connected immoderate of nan company’s flagship offerings, we’d for illustration to item nan unthinkable Marantz PM6007 arsenic our favourite two-channel integrated amp for nether $1,000.

As acold arsenic connections go, nan PM6007 genuinely has it all. We’re talking 5 analog inputs, 2 integer optical ports, 1 integer coaxial, an LFE output for a subwoofer, and 2 zones of audio. For nan latter, you’ll beryllium capable to return advantage of 45 watts per transmission for 8 -hm speakers aliases 60 watts for 4-ohm setups, arsenic good arsenic speedy and easy A/B switching.

Why would you walk astir $700 for an integrated amp erstwhile you could driblet a 3rd of that (or less) for thing for illustration nan Yamaha R-S202BL? The elemental reply is wide sound quality. From its revamped 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog audio converter to its HDAM3 analog circuitry, nan PM6007 is designed to present rich | and powerful sound that contains arsenic small distortion arsenic possible.

You won’t find features for illustration Bluetooth aliases Wi-Fi integration connected nan Marantz PM6007, but nan absence of these wireless connections is going to go reasonably commonplace arsenic you commencement looking astatine higher-priced stereo receivers. This isn’t precisely a drawback though, because a wide norm of thumb is nan little soul components (such arsenic wireless antennas), nan little awesome interference and distortion your amp will person to contend with.

Yamaha

Yamaha R-S202BL

Best stereo receiver nether $300

Not each stereo receiver aliases amplifier has to costs an limb and a leg. In fact, if you’re looking to powerfulness a coagulated group of bookshelf speakers and only person 1 aliases 2 audio components to ligament up, you should decidedly return a look astatine nan Yamaha R-S202BL. For astir $200, it checks each nan boxes for an entry-level setup, and throws successful a fewer other perks that spot it a trim supra nan remainder (at this value point).

Whether you’re looking to powerfulness 2 speakers for a azygous listening space, aliases you’d for illustration to move betwixt 2 different zones of audio, nan R-S202BL contains A and B stereo configurations, pinch each transmission delivering up to 100 watts. This is cleanable for mini to medium-sized speakers and moreover immoderate smaller building units.

The receiver is besides equipped pinch 4 analog inputs, truthful you’ll beryllium capable to link everything from CD players to music-streaming devices. Do beryllium warned that if you scheme connected connecting a grounds player, you’ll request to acquisition a abstracted phono preamp arsenic it does not person 1 built in.

Perhaps nan biggest tie of nan R-S202BL is its Bluetooth input -- we’re large fans of really easy it is to link your phone, tablet, aliases laptop to bask wireless audio. True audiophiles whitethorn require much powerfulness and versatility, but if you’re caller to nan world of stereo hi-fi, nan Yamaha R-S202BL is simply a awesome spot to start.

Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio AXA35

Best integrated amp nether $500

Opting for a streamlined integrated stereo amplifier is ne'er a bad idea, particularly if you’re looking to build a mini to medium-sized hi-fi listening space. For CD and vinyl enthusiasts, we deliberation nan Cambridge Audio AXA35 is 1 of nan champion stereo systems for nether $500, and nan minimalist artistic happens to beryllium 1 of our favourite features.

The slim chassis and monochrome ammunition let nan AXA35 to blend correct successful pinch immoderate A/V components are neighboring nan receiver, arsenic good arsenic immoderate location decor and furnishings it lives adjacent and within. It’s not arsenic powerful arsenic immoderate of nan different models connected our list, but astatine 35 watts per transmission (for 8-ohm speakers), this Cambridge Audio merchandise is cleanable for 1 aliases 2 sets of passive bookshelf speakers. You’ll besides person nan expertise to link up to 5 analog audio devices.

One of these inputs is intended for grounds players, and you’ll beryllium gladsome to cognize that nan AXA35 supports some moving magnet and moving coil cartridge players. While there’s nary onboard Bluetooth relationship to speak of, location is simply a USB larboard that you tin link a abstracted Bluetooth receiver to.

Crutchfield

Arcam A15 integrated amplifier

Best powerfulness and awesome DAC nether $1,000

Arcam is simply a powerhouse marque that has been making waves successful nan AV abstraction for years. There’s been a peculiarly beardown consequence to nan company’s Radia lineup, which consists of amplifiers pinch immoderate of nan champion onboard DACs you’ll find successful stores and online. Here, we’re going to talk astir nan almighty Arcam A15, a mid-tier offering from nan phenomenal audio brand.

Equipped pinch a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC, Arcam intends to guarantee that immoderate sources you’re connecting person nan champion curen possible. Whether that’s Bluetooth audio from your iPhone aliases a full-fledged 24-bit/192kHz medium you downloaded from Tidal aliases Qobuz, nan ESS Sabre delivers value that aligns pinch nan artist’s capacity and listener intentions.

The A15 besides supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, meaning you tin bask higher-quality audio playback complete Bluetooth if your sending instrumentality supports it. And it's two-way Bluetooth, meaning you tin link wireless headphones and bask aptX Adaptive arsenic well, if your headphones support it.

And arsenic acold arsenic wired pathways go, there’s plentifulness to talk about, including 3 stereo RCA inputs, a phono input, and 2 integer coaxial and 1 integer optical that support up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Thanks to AB switching, you’ll besides beryllium capable to hook up 2 different sets of speakers, pinch nan receiver providing up to 80 watts for 2 8 ohm speakers and 120 watts for 4 ohm setups.

Denon

Denon PMA-600NE

Excellent integrated amplifier for analog purists

Who would ever want to unrecorded successful a world without Denon products? One of nan biggest and astir established brands successful nan world of hi-fi, Denon’s estimation is wide praised, which is why we’re sparkling a ray connected nan Denon PMA-600NE.

Much for illustration nan different A/B-switching integrated amplifiers connected our list, nan PMA-600NE pushes up to 45 watts per transmission for 8-ohm speakers and 70 watts for 4-ohm pairings. This benignant of powerfulness whitethorn not beryllium nan aureate characteristic to constitute location about, but what you will beryllium pining complete successful your AV diary (we each person 1 of these, right?) is nan precision-tuned analog acquisition nan PMA-600NE provides.

Not only do you person 5 sets of RCA inputs to take from, but 1 of these connections is for a turntable. Thanks to an onboard phono preamp, you won’t request to supply your ain powerfulness root to bask your vinyl collection, and nan amplifier’s Analog Mode ensures you’ll get nan champion LP playback by cutting disconnected each integer circuitry erstwhile you’re listening to records.

Denon moreover went arsenic acold to see a 24-bit/192kHz DAC and a Bluetooth input for hi-res enthusiasts and music-streaming fans.

Crutchfield

Sony STR-DH190

Best entry-level, fund stereo receiver

The Sony STRDH190 has been astir for galore years, and if you’re looking to get yourself a bare-bones stereo receiver pinch a fewer other goodies built in, it’s decidedly worthy checking out.

Delivering up to 90 watts per transmission and A/B switching, this receiver is cleanable for wiring up 2 bookshelf speakers aliases a brace of midrange floorstanding speakers. It besides includes 4 RCA inputs, a dedicated phono input, and Bluetooth connectivity. The STRDH190 besides has a useful characteristic called Bluetooth Standby, which lets you aftermath nan receiver utilizing your smartphone.

You won’t find immoderate integer connections, fancy DACs, aliases 24-bit support connected this stereo receiver, but erstwhile you're spending little than $170, it’s difficult to hit nan power, performance, and worth you’ll get pinch nan Sony STRDH190.

Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Fosi Audio BT20A Pro

Best mini integrated amp pinch Bluetooth

It whitethorn beryllium mini and basal successful position of connectivity, but what nan Fosi Audio BT20A Pro integrated Bluetooth mini amp lacks successful those departments, it much than makes up for successful power.

Perfect for anyone short connected support abstraction aliases room for large receivers and amps for illustration nan others connected our list, nan BT20A Pro's 5-inch by 5-inch by 1-inch framework tin fresh conscionable astir anywhere, leaving plentifulness of room for bookshelf speakers aliases your different decorating knickknacks.

But let's beryllium clear astir something: nan Fosi BT20A Pro tin thrust speakers a heckuva batch bigger than bookshelves. Its 300 watts per transmission tin thrust moreover nan astir power-hungry 4-ohm speakers (150 watts per transmission for 8-ohm speakers), and it's cleanable arsenic nan driven snow. It whitethorn not person nan warmest aliases astir original sound signature compared to different models connected our list, but nan bass and treble dials connected nan beforehand look of nan instrumentality fto you get nan equilibrium you like.

Connectivity-wise, location isn't overmuch successful position of beingness inputs, but it mightiness suit you conscionable good anyway. With 1 RCA input, you tin link immoderate you like, specified arsenic a turntable (a phono preamp will beryllium needed), CD player, aliases network streamer. If you did want to link more, you could ever get an RCA root switcher. There's besides a pre retired that tin beryllium utilized to link a powered subwoofer.

But for astir people, nan BT20A Pro's Bluetooth 5.0 relationship will suffice. It's not aptX HD aliases thing (it does SBC and AAC), truthful don't expect hi-res audio complete Bluetooth from nan likes of Tidal aliases different hi-res services. But for its $100 value (you tin besides find it connected sale), nan sound is bully for specified a mini package.

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