Get the best sound for less with our roundup of the best budget audiophile amplifiers for speakers! Quality audio without breaking the bank!
If you’re an audiophile looking to upgrade your sound system, you’re in luck! In 2023, there are a wide variety of great budget audiophile amplifiers available that can take your music listening experience to the next level.
Whether you’re looking for the best sound quality, the most bang for your buck, or a combination of both, you’ll find an amp that suits your needs. From powerful Stereo Receivers to Integrated Amps with built-in music streamers, there’s something for every budget and every listening preference.
In this article, we’ll review the top budget audiophile amplifiers for your speakers in 2023 so that you can make the best decision for your sound system!
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Want to know more about Stereo Amplifiers? Check out our Buyers Guide:
Here’s our shortlist of the Best Budget Audiophile Amplifiers For Your Speakers:
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The List:
Best Budget Amplifier For Speakers (Best Under $2000): NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier ($1599)
The NAD C 700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier offers amazing value for money. The “just-add-speakers” amp produces incredible sound quality with great scale and finesse. It is also powerful enough to drive a range of speakers. Plus, the device features a 5″ LCD screen with full-color album art, two-way Bluetooth connectivity, a USB input, and Roon Ready certification, all for less than $2000. You won’t find a stereo amplifier with more features and better performance at this price point.
For: Those who want a sleek, compact amp that does it all!
Key Features/Specs:
- 80 watts x 2 into 8 or 4 ohms
- Can deliver up to 120 watts of instantaneous power for dynamic peaks
- 24-bit/192kHz DAC built-in (supports high-res MQA and FLAC files)
- 5″ color LCD display
- BluOS multi-room streaming compatibility
- Two-way Bluetooth® with aptX HD
- app-based streaming support for Amazon, Spotify, TIDAL, and more
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Roon-ready
What we love:
- Great Build Quality
- Natural, Balanced, Sound
- Remarkable Power
What to think about:
- No Phono Input
Buy: Crutchfield
Best Budget Amplifier For Speakers (Under $1000): Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver ($600)
If you’re after an accessible hi-fi receiver with superb sound and construction, then the Cambridge Audio AXR 100 is the one for you. It comes with a full suite of inputs and outputs to link up any sound device, and unlike many budget amps, it won’t leave you with a too bright, underpowered, or limited sound.
The Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver has the quality sound you need to build a top-tier audio system without breaking the bank. With 100 watts x 2 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz), 4-ohm speaker capability, three digital inputs (2 optical, 1 coax), and a sub output, plus an MM phonostage, two sets of binding-post speaker connectors and a built-in Bluetooth receiver, it’s the perfect combination of value and performance.
For: Those wanting a powerful 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:
- It could use just a little more transparency
Buy: Amazon
Best Budget Amplifiers For Speakers (Best Value): Audiolab 6000A 2-Channel Integrated Amplifier ($1199)
If you’re after an excellent quality amp, then the Audiolab 6000A is the perfect option. This integrated amplifier offers a crisp sound and a formidable output. There’s no better deal than this one.
We appreciate the Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amp more and more with every listen. The expansive sound, soft highs, and deep yet regulated bass make budget speakers sound like they should cost more, and when you upgrade to better speakers, you’ll have a system that many audiophiles would be content with for years.
On top of that, it’s Class AB and can give 2 x 50w to 8 ohms and almost double when connected to 4 ohms. It has a built-in aptX Bluetooth receiver to quickly enjoy casual listening sessions and a Moving Magnet phono input.
For: Those who want an affordable amp with a refined and detailed sound
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
- No Dedicated Sub Out
- Can Be A Little Edgy With Analytical Speakers
Buy: Amazon
Best Budget Amplifiers For Speakers (Best Streaming Option): Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Streaming Amplifier ($1299)
The Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Streaming Amplifier has a captivating quality to it that takes control of the speakers from the very first time it is switched on, just like the CXA81 receiver mentioned below. It is not as powerful as the CXA81, but its power is enough to drive an impressive deep bass, open midrange, and a light-handed treble.
Furthermore, the Marantz has a built-in multi-room streamer that comes with an app, allowing you to access a wide range of music services and Network Drives. It also offers plenty of external connection options including Bluetooth aptX, Airplay, digital optical, digital coaxial, RCA, and USB.
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
- 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
- The 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 the 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
Best Budget Amplifiers For Speakers (Best Under $1500): Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier ($1499)
We were so impressed with the Cambridge Audio CXA81’s performance that we made it our 2019 Product Of The Year. This integrated amplifier, which boasts a Class AB amp section, is capable of delivering a remarkable 120W of power per channel RMS into 4 Ohms and 80W per channel RMS into 8 Ohms. This allows the CXA81 to power even the least efficient speakers, like the Kef LS50 Meta, to their absolute maximum capabilities.
Listening to music through the CXA81, you are sure to be blown away by its warm, open character with a huge soundstage. Furthermore, the Bluetooth section on this amp boasts the best sound quality we’ve heard from an integrated amplifier. And, to sweeten the deal, the USB Audio Input can accept music files up to 32bit/384kHz PCM & DSD 256 from either a Mac or PC.
For: Those looking for a no-muss, no-fuss amplifier 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
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