Stereo, Mono and Audiophile Amplifier Reviews

Welcome to the world of power amps. Below and on the additional pages, you will find hundreds of reviews of audiophile grade power amps, including everything from affordable integrated amps to the most expensive tube and solid state amps. You'll absolutely be able to find the right amp for your floorstanding speakers or your bookshelf speakers. These pages of reviews cover every brand you could want: Audio Research, Krell, Mark Levinson, Cello, McIntosh, and dozens more.

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards

Overall Rating
5 Stars

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Micromega AS-400 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Micromega AS-400 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Jim Swantko takes the new Micromega AS-400 which is more than just a stereo amplifier. It also functions as a preamplifier and a wireless media streaming option, which Swantko found to be quite impressive.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Mark Levinson No 532H Two Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Mark Levinson No 532H Two Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Mark Levinson's new No 532H two channel amplifier ushers in a new aesthetic appearance for the company. Reviewer Andrew Robinson explores whether or not the sound quality has changed with the look.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell Evolution 2250e Stereo Power Amplifier Reviewed

Krell Evolution 2250e Stereo Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Krell are makers of high quality amplifiers with large price tags. Or are they? When Andrew Robinson tested out the Krell Evolution 2250e stereo amp, he found the expected quality but not the expected price tag.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Musical Fidelity M6 PRX Power Amplifier Reviewed

Musical Fidelity M6 PRX Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Brian Kahn introduced the Musical Fidelity M6 PRX power amplifier into his reference system and was rather impressed with the results. However, he did find a few things to be a problem with the amplifier.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Classe Delta Series CA-2300 Two-Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Classe Delta Series CA-2300 Two-Channel Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
5 Stars

Once the Classé Delta Series CA-2300 Two-Channel Amplifier was hooked up to Andrew Robinson's system, he put it to the test. He was impressed with what he heard, but still had a problem with a few of the issues concerning the CA-2300... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Classe' CT-M600 Monoblock Amplifier Reviewed

Classe' CT-M600 Monoblock Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
5 Stars

The Classe CT-M600s are the mono block amps of your dreams. Designed for audiophile systems as well as to run ice cold in an equipment rack - these amps serve both masters. Dr. Ken Taraszka takes a long listen to these audiophile world-beaters.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell Evolution 402e Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

Krell Evolution 402e Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
5 Stars

Krell is known for their big power output and stylish metal chassis. The new 402e stereo amp is the new big boy amp. The $18,500 amp has 370 watts for each of its channels, but sips only 2 watts in standby. See why this amp wins all the awards.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards

Overall Rating
0 Stars

The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell S-300i Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Krell S-300i Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Krell's S-300i combines a beefy Krell amplifier and a highly functional Krell preamp into one beautiful package. For $2,500, this integrated amp has 150 watts per channel, iPod connectivity, RS232 control and more. Jerry Del Colliano gladly takes it for a spin.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell Evolution 600 Mono Power Amplifier Reviewed

Krell Evolution 600 Mono Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

If there wasn't a Krell 900 Watt monoblock power amp - the Krell Evolution 600 amps would be the biggest, badest things on the planet. With enough Dan D'agostino designed spank to light up any Focal, Wilson or Magico speaker - these amps are what audiophile dreams are made of. Read the full review here.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Wadia 151 PowerDAC Amp/DAC Reviewed

Wadia 151 PowerDAC Amp/DAC Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Wadia's latest digital powerhouse combines a DAC with a power amp for a complete solution for anyone who wants not merely good, but great sound at their computer desktop. With USB, coaxial, and Toslink digital inputs the Wadia 151 PowerDAC is ready for any and digital sources up to 192/24.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

McIntosh MC-501 Mono Amplifier Reviewed

McIntosh MC-501 Mono Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Iconic audiophile brand McIntosh has released a new monoblock amp with a whopping 500 watts. The MC-501 has McIntosh's green meters on black and chrome, complete with big knobs. Brian Kahn checks it out.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

NuForce Reference 9 V3 Special Edition

NuForce Reference 9 V3 Special Edition

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

The new Reference 9 V3 SE from NuForce is a Class D amp with 175 watts for each of its two channels into 8 ohms. Into 4 it's got 335. What's interesting is its compact cabinet and cool operation. ... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Mark Levinson No 53 Hybrid Digital Power Amplifier Reviewed

Mark Levinson No 53 Hybrid Digital Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

The No. 53 amp from Mark Levinson is a hybrid digital design, and has an incredible 500 watts. The tower design is unlike most amplifiers, and is meant to be seen. Andrew Robinson gets a pair in for review.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
3.5 Stars

Digital, or Class D, amps offer efficient performance from a small cabinet. Bel Canto has mastered the design and performance with their e.One series. The S300 amp has 300 watts into 4 ohms. ... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and...... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Into 4 ohms, the REF 1000M from Bel Canto puts out 1000 watts. What's even more amazing is that it does it with a chassis that is only 8 inches wide. They also run cool and sound great. Andrew Robinson takes a pair for a spin.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

ROTEL RB-1092 Amplifier Reviewed

ROTEL RB-1092 Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Rotel isn't the only amp company to use B&O's ICE amp chips (think: NuForce, Bel Canto and Wyred For Sound) but they bring a long lineage of audiophile history in taking a bright idea and making it sound really, really good. Read the Ken Kessler review on this page.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Classe Audio CA-M400 Mono Amplifier Reviewed

Classe Audio CA-M400 Mono Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

While not the brand new, rack-cool-to-the-touch Classe CT-M600 monoblocks power amps, the Classe CT-M400 are enough power to rock nearly any speakers your audiophile aspirations can dream up. Classe' unbelievably good looking industrial design isn't just skin deep. Compare these amps with the best from Mark Levinson, Krell and beyond.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Parasound Halo JC 1 Monaural Amplifier Reviewed

Parasound Halo JC 1 Monaural Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

As far as audiophile amp designers go - John Curl goes back to the roots of AV with the Mark Levinson JC-1. If you want some of Curl's latest designs you need to focus your attention on Parasound as they have cornered the market on his services and deliver them at a very fair price by audiophile standards. Read the Andrew Robinson review here.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Arcam FMJ A18 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Arcam FMJ A18 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

British hifi manufacturer Arcam knows a thing or two about integrated amps, and at only $1,099 the FMJ A18 packs a lot into an inexpensive and small package. We check out if its 50 watts can hold its own.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

McIntosh MC501 Monaural Power Amplifier Reviewed

McIntosh MC501 Monaural Power Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Ahh... the cult of McIntosh... To compare McIntosh to say Harley Davidson Motorcycles wouldn't be a stretch as both have serious followers willing to invest in time-tested performance. Read Jim Swantko's full review of these beefy mono amps here.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards

Overall Rating
0 Stars

Home Theater Review Editors have searched high and low, near and far, for the best products of 2009, from HDTVs to receivers, speakers to Blu-ray players, and more. Check to read the best in LED and LCD HDTV reviews here on HomeTheaterReview.com.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Rotel RA-1520 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Rotel RA-1520 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
3.5 Stars

Integrated amps are great for those looking to get a little audiophile, without going all tubey. The RA-1520 from Rotel doesn't even have a screen, but has several analog and digital inputs. We test it out.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell FBI Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Krell FBI Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

For those looking for an integrated amp that has all of the guts and glory of a big separates system comes the Krell FBI. The Fully Balanced Integrated has the beef to power up nearly any load known to man right from on chassis. Read the Brian Kahn review here.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Bryston 2B SST Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

Bryston 2B SST Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Boasting one of the best warranties in the business and the reputation as one of Canada's best amps (along with Anthem and Classe) Bryston is a recording studio and movie theater standard. Home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike love the somewhat dry sound of these powerful yet controlled amps. Read the Jerry Del Colliano review here.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Mark Levinson No. 436 Monaural Amplifier Reviewed

Mark Levinson No. 436 Monaural Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

This rack mountable Mark Levinson 350 watt per channel power amp is about as big as the brand makes and is custom designed to power Revel speakers as well as any number of of top performing audiophile speakers. Jerry Del Colliano tells you why these amps were his reference amps for so long. ... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Krell Evolution 900 Monaural Power Amplifiers Reviewed

Krell Evolution 900 Monaural Power Amplifiers Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

There might not be a better amp in the marketplace today than the Krell Evolution 900 mono amps. Designed before his departure from Krell by Dan D'agostino there is an "E" version of the amp that saves on power but who really cares when we are talking about this kind of power. With the best bass in the business, the Evo amps have an openness and air... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Cambridge Audio Azur 840W Amplifier Reviewed

Cambridge Audio Azur 840W Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
3.5 Stars

The stereo Azur 840W from Cambridge AUdio has 200 watts per channel, and an understated design that reviewer Jim Swantko wasn't too sure about. He did like that you could bridge the channels to be 500 watts. ... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Marantz PM-KI-Pearl Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Marantz PM-KI-Pearl Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

After 30 years with the company, audio designer Ken Ishiwata is celebrated by Marantz with a line of high-end components. The PM-KI-Pearl Integrated Amplifier has 90 watts per channel. Brian Kahn tests it for HTR.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Marantz PM5003 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Marantz PM5003 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
3.5 Stars

Knowing that audiophilia knows no economic bounds, the PM5003 from Marantz is only $449.99. A great price for 36 watts per channel and a variety of inputs. We test it out and see if it holds up.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Cary Audio Xciter Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Cary Audio Xciter Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Desktop audio is becoming more and more popular, and the Xciter line from Cary is poised to dominate. Featuring a USB DAC and this tube integrated amp that should both live up to its name. Jim Swantko tests it out.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Anthem 225 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Anthem 225 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Overall Rating
4.5 Stars

Packed with, you guessed it, 225 watts, the 225 from Anthem has a lot more power than your average integrated amp. Even more impressive is its price tag: only $1,499. Andrew Robinson gets one it to put it through its paces.... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Outlaw Audio RR2150 Stereo Receiver Reviewed

Outlaw Audio RR2150 Stereo Receiver Reviewed

Overall Rating
4 Stars

Outlaw has made its name building high-quality, high-end audiophile gear, at budget prices. The $699 RR2150 lives up to that reputation with 100-watts per channel, a USB input, and even a phono input. ... Click Here To Read The Full Review

Read More Stereo Amplifier Reviews:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5 

Everything You Need To Know About Audiophile Amplifiers

1.0 Overview
2.0 Types of Power Amplifiers

2.1 Class A-B Amplifiers

2.2 Class A Amplifiers
2.3 Tube Amplifiers
2.4 Class-D Digital Amplifiers
2.5 Monoblock Amplifiers
2.6 Power Regeneration

1.0 Overview of Stereo Power Amps for Home Theater
Power amplifiers boost the signal from a preamp to levels that a loudspeakers system can use to make a powerful audio experience. There are various technologies of amplifiers that are use. Most amplifiers are stereo amps thus can boost the amplitude of a stereo audio signal. Mono or monoblock amps are one channel amplifiers and are found mostly on the high end of the amplifier food chain.

2.0 Types of Power Amplifiers

2.1 Class AB
Class AB amplifiers are considered to be a traditional amplifier. They can be either a tube or solid state design. They can be balanced (XLR) or unbalanced in operation. In solid state designs are known for their heat sinks, large torioidal transformers and overall weight. Class AB amplifiers are still the preferred choice of audiophiles because of their powerful, clean sound but digital amplifier designs have made significant improvements in the past few years. At the ultimate level, there are now hybrid audiophile grade class AB/digital amps.

2.2 Class A Amplifiers
Class A amplifiers were at one point the audiophile's choice but their low power, ultra-high heat output, often large size and huge incoming power requirements (240 volt is best for class A amps) have seen them fall out of favor. Their pure sound is hard to argue with but they don't easily keep up with the needs of film sound track playback. They also sound best when "warmed up" for hours. They also have no real ability (by design) to do anything but to run at full power thus their draw from the wall is as strong as you can find. The analogy used by many to describe a Class A amplifier is that it is like a faucet that is turned all the way on.

2.3 Tube Amplifiers
Tube amps are the most alluring and sexy of the amp technologies. The glow of the vacuum tubes, the warm analog sound and the overall musicality make a tube amps something every audiophile should own at least once in his life. Tubes have many drawbacks once you get past the siren song of their appeal. They create a lot of heat. They have very little power compared to solid state (class AB) designs for the same money. Tube amps need constant biasing or adjustments or they will perform poorly in a matter of weeks. They need time to warm up to sound good. They need to have the tubes carefully replaced every few hundred hours of operation.

2.4 Class D Digital Amps
Digital Amplifiers are all the rage these days -specifically ones based around the Bang and Olufsen ICE chip. These amps are ultra-quiet and very low distortion. They are small, create barely any heat yet pump out incredible volumes of power compared to more traditional class AB and tube amps. Digital amps are popular in powered subwoofers and even in some receivers. The downside to digital amplifiers is that they tend to lack the musicality and weight of a traditional amp. They are just missing the musical gravitas at this point of their development. Hybrid digital amps like the Mark Levinson No. 53s are showing some new twists that hope to bridge the two designs to provide the best of both worlds even if it costs $25,000 per channel of amplification.

2.5 Monaural (Monoblock Amplifiers)
Monoblock or mono amplifiers are often the preferred choice of audiophiles and used in the most demanding home theater playback systems. Mono refers to the idea that one physical amplifier is designed to power one audio channel. The main advantage of mono amplifiers is the concept that each channel of audio gets its own power supply thus can provide more accurately and effectively the power needed in an audiophile or 7.1 speaker system as the source material demands. Some audiophile brands make dual or even tri-mono amplifiers which house multiple mono amps in the same chassis yet retain the advantages of the mono design. This normally comes at a significant cost premium. Monoblock amplifiers are commonly found in all varieties of amplifier including tube amps, solid state amps and even class D "digital" amplifiers.

2.6 Power Regeneration Inside High end Amplifiers
The highest end amplifiers on the market today offer their own internal AC power regeneration right inside of the amplifier. You do not need a PS Audio or Audiophile APS Pure Power device for your monster audiophile amplifiers. Top amps from the likes of Krell and Mark Levinson are coming with power regeneration right in the amp itself and the results allow for the last level of extreme performance and refinement for the world's most expensive amplifiers.
Read More Stereo Amplifier Reviews:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5 

Featured Audio-Video News

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU -

24 was a great show that had some ridiculously impressive technology. So impressive, it defied the reality of the actual technology used. However, the ideas are great. Jerry Del Colliano thinks about how those ideas could be translated to home theaters.