Amplifiers

The amplifier is the heart of the system. An integrated amplifier combines pre and power stages in one unit — the uncomplicated standard for most systems. Separate pre/power combinations offer more flexibility and headroom for demanding loudspeakers. Tube amplifiers deliver the characteristically warm sound, and a phono stage connects the turntable to line-level inputs.

When choosing, the watt figure matters less than the match: amplifier power and speaker sensitivity must fit together, and the connections (phono, digital, XLR) should cover your sources.