The Amplifiers That Stood Out to Our Editors That Stand Out

The Impulsion 8 is aimed squarely at professionally designed immersive cinema and custom-installation systems.

Its eight Class D channels are joined by DSP and native Audio-over-IP connectivity, with both AES67 and Dante support intended to simplify digital routing and reduce reliance on long analog cable runs.

StormAudio specifies up to 200 watts per channel into eight ohms, while bridge mode is rated at up to 800 watts into eight ohms or 1,200 watts into four ohms. A compact 2U enclosure helps in rack-based systems. The source describes a prototype, so these details should be treated as preview specifications rather than an assessment of finished production hardware.

Arcam’s A15 is a conventional integrated amplifier with enough connectivity to accommodate both established and newer sources.

Its specified 80 watts per channel make it the more powerful alternative to the A5, and the source positions it for large floorstanding speakers as well as low-impedance bookshelf designs.

An MM phono stage serves turntables, while two coaxial inputs, one optical input and USB cover digital equipment. Adaptive aptX Bluetooth supports playback from compatible devices and connection to Bluetooth headphones, a useful option when loudspeaker listening is impractical. A preamplifier output also leaves room for system expansion.

Developed under Ken Ishiwata’s guidance, the PM-KI Ruby is built for listeners seeking a substantial integrated amplifier with serious attention paid to both line-level and vinyl sources.

Its fully discrete two-stage architecture uses separate supplies for the preamplifier and power-amplifier sections.

Output is specified at 100 watts per channel into eight ohms and 200 watts per channel into four ohms. The MM/MC phono section employs Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ technology, while proprietary HDAM modules are used in the signal path. A dual-layer chassis, aluminum panels, nickel-plated inputs and high-purity copper speaker terminals complete the construction.

The D2S suits listeners who want streaming, digital playback, vinyl support and speaker amplification without a full-width stack of components.

Premiera retains the compact 270 × 70 × 277 mm enclosure of the earlier D1S while increasing specified output to 2 × 168 watts into four ohms and adding a phono preamplifier.

It can accommodate as many as ten sources, including seven digital inputs, and provides Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, aptX HD and AAC support. A front-mounted 3.5 mm headphone output adds another practical listening option. Most functions are accessed through software menus, an approach designed to permit feature changes through firmware.

Rotel’s RA-1592 MKII is intended for systems with a particularly broad mixture of sources.

It combines circuitry derived from the RC-1590 preamplifier and RB-1582 MkII power amplifier in one chassis, with independent power supplies and an internal layout designed to reduce crosstalk.

Analog provision includes an MM phono input and a balanced XLR input. Three optical and three coaxial connections accept signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz, while the asynchronous USB input supports formats up to 24-bit/384 kHz and MQA decoding according to the source. aptX Bluetooth and a front USB connection for an iPhone or iPod extend its everyday flexibility.

The Integre4 Mk2 Toroid is for tube listeners who value configuration flexibility but would rather avoid manual biasing equipment.

Its revised dual-mono architecture uses two high-current, low-noise toroidal transformers and redesigned power-supply stages.

KT150 output tubes are supplied as standard, but the amplifier also supports EL34, 6550, KT88 and KT120 types, allowing owners to change tubes according to their system and preferences. A processor-controlled bias system handles adjustment through the front OLED display. The upgraded transformers also feed the headphone circuit, extending the tube-amplifier architecture to private listening.

Unlike the integrated amplifiers in this guide, the M8x Vinyl is a dedicated phono amplifier for systems that require extensive cartridge and equalization control.

Its fully balanced, discrete architecture provides separate amplification stages for the positive and negative signals in each channel.

Gain can be adjusted from 40 dB to 69 dB to accommodate cartridges with differing output levels. Front-panel controls also provide access to standard RIAA equalization and the alternative DECCA and COLUMBIA curves. Musical Fidelity further specifies a redesigned three-stage gain section, discrete input filtering and an encapsulated transformer intended to reduce susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.

The S9 Pro Plus Martha addresses a different use case from a loudspeaker amplifier: it combines USB conversion and headphone amplification for direct personal listening.

Its fully balanced circuit is divided into a USB interface processor, ES9038Q2M DAC, independent headphone amplifier and pop-noise reduction system.

Both 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm headphone outputs are provided, avoiding the need to commit to one connection type. Hidizs specifies 180 mW into 32 ohms through the balanced output. That combination makes it most relevant to listeners who want a single USB-connected device for both conventional and balanced headphones.

The A07 MAX is a small Class D amplifier for straightforward analog systems, with a configurable design that can operate in stereo or mono.

Its TI TPA3255 platform is specified at up to 2 × 225 watts into four ohms in stereo or 1 × 450 watts into four ohms in mono.

A switch on the underside activates monaural operation, allowing multiple units to be used in a modular arrangement. The DIP8-mounted NE5532 op-amps are replaceable, which will appeal to users interested in component substitution. Connectivity is intentionally simple: an RCA line input, speaker terminals and a 3.5 mm auxiliary output for another amplifier or an active subwoofer.

Nubert’s nuConnect ampXL is designed as the control center of a connected speaker system.

It combines Class D amplification, a DAC and network streaming, with output specified at up to 340 watts per channel.

Its DSP includes a five-band equalizer and Nubert X-Room Calibration, operated through the X-Remote application. Source compatibility covers optical and coaxial digital inputs, RCA and balanced XLR analog inputs, plus an MM/MC phono stage. Active subwoofers can be connected conventionally or through Nubert X-Connect, while HDMI ARC requires an optional adapter. The source describes TIDAL Connect as firmware-dependent, making software support an important part of the product’s feature set.