5 of the Best Stereo Amplifiers Under $2000!
If you’re looking to build an affordable high-end Hi-Fi system, then you should be looking at a quality 2-channel amplifier to be the heart of it all.
If you want to get the most for your money, we recommend picking up a good Integrated Amplifier, which is a combination of a pre-amp and amplifier. This component will play traffic cop for your sources (Streamer, CD Player, Turntable, etc.), then boost the signal from those same sources, and then play it through your speakers.
It’s of utmost importance that you get the best sounding one you can afford, and you also need to pick one that will support the sources you want to listen to.
We have over 20 years of experience evaluating and reviewing hi-fi components, and we listen to tons of gear, so you don’t have to! Here are our picks for the Best Buys: Best Budget Amplifiers For Audiophiles (2022)
Have a question about building an affordable hi-fi system? Drop us a line at info@hifitrends.com! We may feature your question on the site!
Here’s our shortlist of the Best Budget Amplifiers For Audiophiles (2022):
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The List:
SMSL AO200 Digital Power Amplifier ($279)
As long as you measure your expectations, the eminently affordable S.M.S.L AO200 is an enjoyable Class-D amplifier that gives you just enough detail and imaging to bring life to your music. Pick up a pair of decent bookshelf speakers, and you will have an enchanting system for a small apartment or bedroom. If you don’t need/want the USB DAC, you can get the S.M.S.L DA-9 for $249.99, which is basically the same thing without the USB input.
For: Those who want a capable amp for a small apartment or large bedroom
Key Features/Specs:
- Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver
- 2x German Infineon’s new technology class D power amplifier chip
- NJRC electronic volume control chip NJW1194 from Japan
- Balanced design, from input to speaker output
- Output Power 150W × 150W (2Ω), 90W × 90W (4Ω), 50W × 50W (8Ω)
- Subwoofer pre out for 2.1 system application.
- Inputs 1 XLR, 1 RCA, BT, 1 USB Input
What we love:
- Great Build Quality
- Natural, Balanced, Sound
- Remarkable Power
What to think about:
- No BT Codec other than SBC
- USB is the only Digital Input…No Opt or Coax
Buy: Amazon
Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver ($600)
A lot of budget amps are either too bright, too weak, or have too little connectivity to live with for long, but the $600 Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver has all the power, connections, and refined sound quality needed to build a quality affordable high-end audio system around.
The capable amplifier has 100 watts x 2 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz), is 4-ohm speaker capable, has three digital inputs (2 optical, 1 coax), and a sub output. It also has an MM phono stage, two sets of binding-post speaker connectors, plus a built-in Bluetooth receiver for quick wireless connections.
In addition, the AXR100’s huge toroidal transformer allows it to provide lots of clean high-current power to the speakers of your choice. We recommend the Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 Bookshelf Speaker as a good match.
We love the AXR100 because we feel it’s the most well-rounded unit at the price point, but if you don’t need the digital inputs, and can deal with a little less power, you can also get its little brother, the AXR85 Stereo Receiver for $400.
For: Those wanting a proper introduction to high-end audio
Key Features/Specs:
- 100 watts x 2 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz)
- 4-ohm speaker capability
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Brushed aluminum front panel
- Two optical digital audio inputs
- One coaxial digital audio input
- Three stereo RCA inputs
- Phono stage for moving magnet cartridges
- Front-panel stereo aux input
- Mono RCA sub out
- Type-A USB port for firmware updates
- 1/4″ front-panel headphone jack
What we love:
- Great Build Quality
- Warm, Natural Sound
- Remarkable Power
What to think about:
- Could use a touch more transparency
Buy: Amazon and Crutchfield
Audiolab 6000A 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier ($999)
The more we listen to the Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amp, the more we love it. The spacious sound, sweet highs, and deep, controlled bass make inexpensive speakers sound better than they have any business sounding, and when you scale up to better speakers, you end up with a system that many audiophiles could live with for many years to come. It has bulletproof build quality, and they implement features in an elegant, no-nonsense way.
In addition, it’s Class AB and does 2 x 50w into 8 ohms, then almost double that into 4 ohms. It also has a built-in aptX Bluetooth receiver for quick casual listening sessions and a Moving Magnet phono input.
For:
Key Features/Specs:
- 50 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms
- 75 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
- 4-ohm capability
- ES9018 Sabre32 Reference 32-bit/192kHz DAC
- built-in Bluetooth with aptX audio codec
- Two optical and Two coaxial digital audio inputs
- Five stereo RCA audio inputs (including MM phono input)
- Stereo RCA pre-out
- Built-in headphone amplifier with front-panel (1/4-inch) jack
What we love:
- Bulletproof Build Quality
- Class Leading Refined Sound
- Ease Of Use
What to think about:
- No USB DAC input
- Needs Careful Matching
- No Dedicated Sub Out
Buy: Amazon and Crutchfield
Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Streaming Amplifier ($1199)
Like the CXA81 receiver below, there are certain amps that just sound “right” as soon as you switch them on. Similar to the CXA81, the Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Streaming Amplifier has a clean, weighty performance that just takes command of speakers and bends them to its will. It produces bass that’s deep, a beautiful open midrange, plus a sweet treble that isn’t overdone.
The CXA81 is more is a more powerful amp, but not that that much, and the Marantz has a little bit more sparkle up top. If you want something with a little less warmth than the Cambridge, then this amp may be up your alley. In addition, the Marantz has an app-based multi-room streamer built-in, so you can play music from a bunch of music services plus your local Network Drive right out of the box. All you need is a nice pair of speakers like the Polk Reserve Series R200 or Polk Legend L100 and your ready to go!
For: Those who want a clean and beefy sounding “just-add-speakers” solution
Key Features/Specs:
- 60 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms & 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
- 4-ohm speaker capability
- 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter (supports high-res PCM-based files up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD files up to 5.6MHz)
- high-current toroidal power transformer for demanding loads
- Built-in Bluetooth for quick streaming aptX and a
- Built-in headphone amplifier
- front-panel tone controls (treble and bass)
- Built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a network, includes support for TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, and Spotify
- Free HEOS app offers easy Wi-Fi control and multi-room audio
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice control protocol
- Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad
- Ethernet port for connection to a wired network
- Two optical digital and one coaxial digital audio inputs
- Type-A USB port on rear panel for connecting a disk drive
- Four stereo RCA audio inputs (including a MM phono input)
- Stereo RCA audio out for recording
- 1/4″ headphone output on front panel
- Mono RCA subwoofer output
What we love:
- Nice Power
- Transparent Amp Section
- Full-Featured Streamer Built-In/Plenty of connections
What to think about:
- Only one set of speaker terminals
Buy: Amazon and Crutchfield
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier ($1299)
The $1299 Cambridge Audio CXA81, with its Class AB amp section, drives speakers down to 4 Ohms with 120W per channel RMS, and 80W per channel RMS into 8 Ohms. That means it has the juice needed to drive inefficient speakers like the Kef LS50 to their full potential.
We can’t get enough of the CXA81’s tuning, and that’s why we made it our 2019 Product Of The Year. The warm, open character (w/ massive soundstage) works no matter what music you play. It also has the best-sounding Bluetooth section we’ve ever heard on an integrated amp.
When we listened to aptX HD on the CXA81, it was the first time we were able to listen to Bluetooth on an amp without missing the wires right away. It also has a USB Audio Input, which accepts up to 32bit/384kHz PCM & DSD 256 digital files from a Mac or PC.
For: Those looking for a no-muss, no-fuss amplifer with a refined yet warm, weighty sound.
Key Features/Specs:
- 80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms)
- 4-ohm speaker capability
- ESS Sabre SE9016K2M DAC chip
- Toroidal power transformer for high-current output
- Bluetooth wireless connectivity with aptX HD audio codec
- Class AB amplifier
- Full-metal casework with thick, brushed aluminum front panel
- Two optical digital inputs
- Coaxial digital input
- USB Type-B input for connecting a laptop
- Four stereo RCA inputs
- Balanced XLR left and right input
- Mono RCA sub output
- Stereo RCA pre-out
- switchable A+B speaker outputs with binding-posts
What we love:
- Great Build Quality
- Crisp, Clear, Lively, Sound
- Powerful Amp Section
What to think about:
- Limited customization-no no screens, no menus, no tone controls
Buy: Amazon and Crutchfield
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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