The Best Integrated Amplifiers for $449 - $5,000: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing an affordable Hi-Fi integrated amplifier, or more expensive Top Hi-Fi equipment, is a difficult and responsible task, the market is literally flooded with these devices. We have prepared for you a guide and comparison of seven of the best new integrated amplifiers in the price range from $449 to $5,000 - each of which deserves close attention in its range.

Rotel A8

Pros - Class AB with sufficient power at a very affordable price

The Rotel A8 is based on a powerful toroidal transformer made by the company itself, and offers 2 x 40 watts to 4 ohm loudspeakers. High-efficiency output transistors provide really extended bass, and three line inputs are more than enough for most music systems. In general, we have a real pearl of its price group before us – with a slightly dark, but exceptionally weighty and large-scale sound. The cherry on the cake is the built-in MM phono corrector for vinyl and a damping factor of 80.

Arcam Radia A25

Pros – the proprietary G-class provides a flurry of details

Based on the 5th generation G-class circuitry, the Arcam Radia A25 has long been on the pages of the specialized press – the integrated amplifier turned out to be exceptionally successful, demonstrating a mesmerizing mercury sound that can be listened to for hours without a hint of fatigue. “Under the hood” everything is fine – 2 x 100 W at 8 ohms or 2 x 165 W at 4 ohms load, and the USB DAC based on the ESS Saber ES9280A Pro chip with support for digital streams up to DSD1024 is also on board, as is the phonostage.

Onkyo Icon A-50

Pros – network capabilities, flexible sound

The new Onkyo Icon series has unexpectedly burst into the Hi-Fi sector – and the network (Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth) integrated amplifier Onkyo Icon A-50 may turn out to be a game changer in its category. The amp demonstrates a whole scattering of details and sounds quite flexible. The digital-to-analog converter is made on the top chip Asahi Kasei AK4452 (32/768), the MM phono preamplifier is not forgotten, and the output power reaches an impressive 2 x 140 W per 8 Ohm speaker (amplification is built on a class AB circuit with an inverted Darlington cascade) – everything is good here.

Musical Fidelity M6SI

Pros – a mastodon of sound

Continuing the tradition of the cult Musical Fidelity M6i, the new integral Musical Fidelity M6SI offers 2 x 220 W at a load of 8 Ohms with an extremely low level of nonlinear distortion of 0.007% - the device is able to cope even with very complex acoustics. While maintaining a very accurate and timbre-reliable performance in any genre. The secret is simple - the power amplifiers and the preamplifier block are powered from separate sources with powerful filter capacitors, and the topology itself is based on the surface mounting of elements on Musical Fidelity's own SMD element base. Top class.

Rega ELICIT MK5

Pros – rhythm, rhythm and more rhythm

Rega ELICIT MK5 is based on previous Rega developments using our class AB amplification circuit. The model guarantees impressive 2 x 100 W on 8 Ohm speakers and is equipped with a built-in digital-to-analog converter (24/192) and MM phono preamplifier. Behind the strict and stylish appearance hides a whole storm of emotions - just turn on the device and your legs start dancing. The true king of rhythm.

PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2

Pros - nothing to complain about

The compact PS Audio Stellar Strata MK2 develops up to 150 W of output power per channel and uses a fully balanced analog preamplifier circuit, a modern DAC based on the ESS Sabre Hyperstream chip, a streamer and an MOSFET analog power amplifier. Engineer Darren Myers used here the unique Analog Cell volume control module, and there is also a patented Digital Lens technology – signals coming to the amplifier are fed to the FPGA CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and then re-clocked before the DAC chip. The PS Audio Stellar Strata M700 sounds “mature” – building an excellent three-dimensional canvas and demonstrating a lot of details.

Cyrus 40 Amp

Pros – High-end gloss in sound

The top integrated amplifier Cyrus 40 Amp is the culmination of the developments of the famous British company. The sound of the device is unmistakable - providing excellent localization and an almost holographic stage, it easily dives into the very depths of the bass. And, yes, there is "that" really black tone in pauses, which is already characteristic of High-End equipment. 2 x 100 W at 6 Ohm power is quite sufficient, the DAC based on ESS ES9039Q2M is very good, the MM phono preamplifier is not forgotten - well, and the aluminum case seems to be a work of art.