Audiophile Power Amplifier Comparison Chart
Every power amplifier we have reviewed, sorted by price at the time of review. Power is per channel into eight ohms unless noted. Click any model to read the full review.
| Model | Price at review | Type | Class / technology | Power (8 ohms) | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fosi Audio ZA3 | $149 | Stereo/bridgeable | Class D (TI TPA3255) | 180 W x 2 (4 ohms) | Swappable op-amps, sub out |
| Monolith by Monoprice M2100X | $399 | Stereo | Class AB | 90 W | Budget pick |
| Buckeye Amps Hypex NCx252MP | $625 | Stereo | Class D (Hypex NCx) | 150 W | Compact, auto on/off |
| SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase | $699 | Stereo | Class D | 150 W | Streaming amp |
| Buckeye Amps Hypex NCx500 | $1,095 | Stereo | Class D (Hypex NCx500) | 380 W | Selectable gain |
| Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono | $1,249 each | Mono | Class D (GaN) | 150 W | Fully balanced |
| Buckeye Amps PuriFi 1ET9040BA | $2,300/pair | Mono | Class D (Purifi Eigentakt) | 375 W | Selectable gain |
| Peachtree Audio GaN 1 | $1,299 | Stereo | Class D (GaN, all-digital) | 200 W | Coax digital input only |
| Peachtree Audio Stereo X | $1,299 | Stereo | Class D (Hypex NCore) | 300 W | Fanless 1,200-watt supply |
| Adcom GFA-555ms | $1,395 | Stereo | Class AB | 125 W | Modern take on a classic |
| Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono | $1,599 | Mono | Class D (GaN) | — | Very compact |
| QUAD 303 | $1,599 | Stereo | Class AB | 50 W | Compact, bridgeable |
| PS Audio Stellar S300 | $1,999 | Stereo | Hybrid Class A input / Class D output | 140 W | Dual-mono |
| Rotel RB-1582 MkII | $2,199 | Stereo | Class AB | 200 W | Damping factor 800 |
| Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2 | $2,295 | Stereo | Class AB | 225 W | Stable to two ohms |
| Anthem MDX-8 | $2,499 | 8-channel | Distribution amp | 60 W x 8 | ARC room correction per zone |
| Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Premium | $2,500 | Mono | Class D (GaN) | 150 W | 1.1 MHz switching |
| NAD Masters M10 | $2,749 | Stereo | Class D streaming amp | 100 W | BluOS, Dirac Live |
| ArgentPur IBIS | $2,975 | Stereo | Class D (GaN) | 150 W | Direct-wired inputs |
| Parasound Halo A 21+ | $3,499 | Stereo | High-bias Class A/AB | 300 W | John Curl design |
| Benchmark AHB2 | $3,499 | Stereo | Feed-forward Class AB | — | Ultra-low noise |
| NAD Masters M23 | $4,799 | Stereo | Class D (Purifi Eigentakt) | 200 W | Bridgeable to 700 W |
| Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium | $4,999 pair | Mono | Class D (GaN) | 250 W | Fully balanced |
| SPL Performer s900 | $4,999 | Stereo | Class AB (120-volt VOLTAiR rails) | 200 W | Stable to two ohms |
| NAD Masters M23 V2 | $4,999 | Stereo | Class D (Purifi Eigentakt, 2nd gen) | 200 W | Three-position gain |
| Amped America AMP 2400 | $5,000 | Stereo | Class D | 400 W | Made in the USA |
| Pass Labs XA25 | $5,150 | Stereo | Pure Class A | 25 W | Nelson Pass design |
| ArgentPur DUO | $5,300 | Stereo | Class D (GaN) | 250 W | Pure silver internal wiring |
| AGD Productions Tempo di GaN | $5,500 | Stereo | Class D (GaN) | 100 W | Bridgeable |
| T+A A 200 | $5,860 | Stereo | Class D | 125 W | Compact |
| Argent Pur GaN Monoblocs | $5,900 pair | Mono | Class D (GaN) | 250 W | Lightweight |
| Atma-Sphere Class D GaN Monos | $6,120 | Mono | Class D (GaN) | 100 W | 5 watts at idle |
| SPL Performer S1200 | $6,499 | Stereo | Class AB (high-voltage rails) | 300 W | Stable to two ohms |
| Mark Levinson No. 5302 | $9,900 (updated) | Stereo | Class AB, dual-mono | 135 W | Bridgeable |
| Bryston 4B Cubed | $7,495 | Stereo | Class AB | 300 W | 10-year warranty |
| Michi S5 | $7,499 | Stereo | Class AB | 500 W | Huge power supply |
| Pass Labs XA30.8 | $7,875 | Stereo | Pure Class A | 30 W | Glowing meters |
| Mytek Empire | $9,995 | Stereo | Class D (GaN-FET) | 200 W | Upgradeable output module |
| Pass Labs X250.8 | $10,500 | Stereo | Class AB | 250 W | Glowing meters |
| Classé Delta Stereo | $12,999 | Stereo | Class AB (12.5 W Class A) | 250 W | 102 pounds |
| Pass Labs XA60.8 | $14,250 | Mono | Pure Class A | 60 W | Stable to two ohms |
| T+A A 3000 HV | $22,250 | Stereo | Class A/AB, high-voltage | 300 W | Bridgeable |
| McIntosh MC1.25KW | $27,000 pair | Mono | Quad Balanced with Autoformer | 1,200 W | Blue meters |
| PS Audio BHK Mono 600 | $29,999 | Mono | Hybrid tube/solid state | — | Huge power supply |
| Bricasti M30 | $30,000 | Mono | Class AB | 200 W | Fully balanced |
| Pass Labs XA160.8 | $31,460 | Mono | Pure Class A | 160 W | Glowing meters |
| Boulder 1160 | $28,000 (updated) | Stereo | Class AB | 300 W | 300 W into 8, 4 or 2 ohms |
| Infigo Audio Method 3 | $55,000 | Mono | Sliding-bias Class A | 200 W | — |
| CH Precision M1.1 | $57,000 | Stereo/bridgeable | Class AB | 200 W | Swiss made |
| Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra 2.0 | $3,249.95 (updated) | Stereo | Class D (GaN) | 250 W | Two-ohm capable |
“—” means the spec was not listed in our review. Prices change, so check current pricing before you buy. Looking for an amp with a preamp built in? See our integrated amplifier reviews.
Audiophile Power Amplifier Buyer’s Guide
Class A, Class AB and Class D: What’s the Difference?
Class A amps keep their output devices fully on at all times. They sound wonderfully smooth, but they run hot and draw a lot of power, which is why pure Class A amps like the Pass Labs XA30.8 have big heat sinks. Class AB, the most common design, runs in Class A at low levels and switches to a more efficient mode as you turn it up. Class D (switching) amps are extremely efficient, light and cool-running, and modern designs from Purifi, Hypex and GaN (gallium nitride) makers now compete with the best linear amps.
What Is a GaN Amplifier?
GaN amps use gallium nitride transistors, which switch much faster than conventional silicon. That lets designers build Class D amps with lower distortion and a smoother, more natural sound that many listeners compare to tubes, without the heat. Our reviews of the Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono and ArgentPur IBIS show why GaN has become one of the hottest technologies in the hobby.
How Much Power Do You Need?
It depends on your speakers and your room. Efficient speakers (90 dB or higher) can sound great on 25 to 50 watts of Class A power, while hard-to-drive speakers with low sensitivity or impedance dips toward two ohms need an amp with lots of current. Watch how an amp’s power rises from eight ohms to four ohms: an amp that nearly doubles its output has a strong power supply. Pair your amp with the speakers in our floorstanding speaker reviews or bookshelf speaker reviews with these numbers in mind.
Stereo Amp or Monoblocks?
A stereo amp drives both speakers from one chassis. Monoblocks use one amp per channel, with separate power supplies and less crosstalk, and they can sit right next to your speakers to keep cables short. Monoblocks cost more and take up more space, but they are a classic high-end upgrade path.
Tubes or Solid State?
Tube amps sound warm and engaging, and many audiophiles love that. Solid-state amps are usually more powerful, quieter and lower maintenance. Hybrid designs, like the PS Audio Stellar S300, try to blend the best of both.
Do You Need a Power Amp or an Integrated Amp?
A power amp needs a preamp (or a DAC or streamer with volume control) in front of it. If you want one box that does both, an integrated amplifier is simpler and often a better value. Separates give you more power, better isolation and an easier upgrade path.
How Much Should You Spend on a Power Amp?
Under $1,500 buys excellent Class D and GaN amps from Buckeye, Orchard Audio and Fosi. From $1,500 to $8,000 you get flagship Class D, legendary Class AB and entry-level Class A from NAD, Bryston, Pass Labs and others. Above that, reference amps from Pass Labs, McIntosh, T+A, Boulder and CH Precision deliver the last word in control, power and pride of ownership.
How We Review Audiophile Power Amps
Power amps are typically heavy and somewhat hard to review. What we mean by that is that the better the amp is, or the more it costs, the less “sound” it should have. The way we look at it, in a perfect world the amp should have no color or sonic influence. Tubes sound “warm,” and that is fine for people who like that slight sonic effect (we do), but even the best tube amps have little to no house sound. The amount of power and current is a key factor to evaluate, too, as matching your amp with your speakers is a major factor in any audiophile’s upgrade path. Some of the best audiophile speakers can be hard to drive, so without the right amp you might get suboptimal performance. Component matching counts, and we try to explain who would most benefit from a specific audiophile power amp. Read more about our editorial policy and review process.
Audiophile Power Amplifier FAQ
What is the best power amplifier for audiophiles?
It depends on your speakers and budget. For Class D, we like the NAD M23 V2 and the ArgentPur IBIS GaN amp. Our best value pick is the Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono, our best bargain is the Buckeye Amps PuriFi 1ET9040BA, our favorite Nelson Pass amp is the Pass Labs XA30.8, and our best expensive amp is the T+A A 3000 HV.
Is Class D as good as Class A or Class AB?
Today, yes, in many systems. Modern Class D designs from Purifi, Hypex and GaN makers measure extremely well and sound smooth and natural, while running cool and using little power. Class A still offers a special smoothness and pride of ownership, and many audiophiles love it.
What is a GaN amplifier?
A GaN amplifier is a Class D amp that uses gallium nitride transistors instead of silicon. They switch faster, which can lower distortion and make Class D sound more natural, often compared to tubes without the heat.
How many watts do I need?
Efficient speakers can sound great with 25 to 50 watts, while low-sensitivity or hard-to-drive speakers benefit from 200 watts or more and an amp with plenty of current. Matching the amp to your speakers matters more than the number alone.
Do I need a preamp with a power amp?
Yes. A power amp needs a preamp, or a DAC or streamer with a volume control, to set the level and select sources. If you want one box, consider an integrated amplifier.
Are monoblock amps better than a stereo amp?
Monoblocks give each channel its own power supply and lower crosstalk, and they can sit next to your speakers. They usually cost more, but they are a classic high-end upgrade.
