Best Integrated Amplifier Under 6000$

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An amplifier is a device that takes the input signal and amplifies it to produce an output signal that is stronger than the original one.

But not all amplifiers are created equal, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to choose a good one for you.

This article will help guide you through how to choose one that suits your needs best and what features matter most when shopping for the best-integrated amplifier within 6000$.

So read on and we’ll get started!(1)

Cambridge Audio Edge A

The Edge Series by Cambridge Audio is perfect for your needs to invest in a high-quality piece. Their 50th-anniversary model, the A-series, reflects their commitment to creating practical products that don’t sacrifice quality or performance.

The best-sounding integrated amplifier of its class

Specs

• Power output: 100W RMS into 8 Ohms; 200W RMS into 4 Ohms
• Frequency response: <3Hz – >80kHz +/-1dB
• Audio file support: Up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM, or DSD256
• Bluetooth version: 4.1 (Smart/BLE enabled)
• Max power: 1000W
• Dimensions (HWD): 15 x 46 x 40.5cm
• Weight: 24.4kg (53.7lbs)

Features

One of the key technologies used inside the Edge components is the Class XA amplification system. This type of amplifier offers big, bold audio quality without sacrificing power efficiency or long-term durability.

The Edge A is designed to be the perfect partner for any home entertainment system. The twin toroidal transformers work with an enhanced version of Cambridge Audio’s streaming platform that offers wider compatibility for AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Chromecast, and more. Furthermore, with Bluetooth aptX HD 24-bit audio quality, we won’t leave anything up in the air about how great this product really is.

Build

The sleek linear design of the Edge A is a welcome change to those with an eye for more modern aesthetics. The immaculate finish will never fade, and when you look at this amp’s slim profile, it’ll be hard not to feel confident about your purchase.

The Edge A weighs about 54 lbs and is made of a curved extruded aluminum front panel matched with an elegant rear panel. The top plate is also made of aluminum. In addition, it features side-mounted heat sinks to keep your computer components cool, even during the most intensive use.

The Edge A has 100wpc of power driving 8 Ohms, doubling down into 4. In addition, this amplifier includes a built-in DAC with USB and S/PDIF inputs for your digital audio devices, as well as three analog input options (2x RCA & 1x XLR).

The Edge A has a handy switch for an auto power-off function so that if your amplifier doesn’t receive a signal for 20 minutes, it drops to standby. On the back panel, you’ll find RS232 connectors as well as a connector that synchronizes all of its components with one another – this way, they will turn on and off together.

The Edge A’s minimal design of the dual-function volume/input control knobs is what makes it our favorite audio interface. It also includes a flush mounted on/off button, 1/4″ headphone jack, and Cambridge Audio logo recessed into that curved extruded aluminum panel.

Sound

The Edge A is a finely-tuned amp that balances well with richer, more robust tones. Unlike other amps, which may be too neutral or harsh when dealing with poor-quality recordings, the balance of this amplifier makes it sound better than what you would expect.

The presentation and imaging of this integrated amp are both excellent, allowing the listener to experience an immersive sound stage with detailed instruments. In addition, the stability is pleasing, making it easier for listeners to enjoy music even when they become more demanding.

The Edge A was designed to be a high-end amplifier with a simple and elegant design. In addition, it has been engineered to deliver exceptional performance at any volume level to be used in both home theater systems and audiophile stereo systems.

NAD Masters Series M33

The NAD Masters Series M33 is a powerful amp with all the bells and whistles anyone needs to create an audiophile sound system. In addition, they offer all the features that an audiophile could want for a two-channel system. This amp has lots of power and compatibility with speakers and plenty of inputs to plug in wired sources. The best part is it also includes built-in room correction and voice control.

A new frontier in ergonomics, design and technology

Specs

Features

The NAD Masters Series M33 has an incredible list of features that make it an excellent centerpiece for any audiophile sound system. It produces 200 watts per channel into 8-ohms or 380 watts if using 4 ohms. It gives you lots of clean power to work with and compatibility with various speakers.

The Bluesound’s BluOS operating system gives you easy app-based access to popular online music services like Spotify®, Qobuz, and more. With Apple® AirPlay 2 compatibility, enjoy lag-less multiroom wireless sound by connecting your iPhone or iPad for endless entertainment options.

The amplifier comes with RCA and XLR inputs, making it an excellent device for analog music lovers. It also has an onboard phono stage that connects with your vinyl player to give you optimum quality sound.(2)

The Dirac Live software included in this package will allow users of all skill levels to calibrate their speakers. Therefore, they produce clarity even when there’s noise involved – making them perfect for guests or anyone who values rich sounds above everything else.

This amp offers a new-age digital sound with Class D amplification’s clean, crisp clarity and NAD’s HybridDigital Purifi Eigentakt™ technology. In addition, it provides an even frequency response to lower impedance loads which minimizes distortion that is often found in other amps.

Build

The NAD Masters Series M33 amplifier is of high-quality materials and aesthetics. The amplifier features a large, vibrant touchscreen, capacitive on/off button, and a great layout. The isolation feet are also fantastic for preventing vibrations to the speaker of your choice.

The M33 has seven digital inputs, HDMI (with the latest eARC), one AES/EBU, two optical, and two coaxial digital inputs, including a USB-A slot. The only downside is that there are no USB-B connections for playing direct from the computer and everything else on this list of features makes up for it in spades.

The M33 is a versatile and highly configurable stereo amplifier. With one line-level RCA, one balanced XLR pair, and the option to connect your turntable with either moving magnet or moving coil cartridges via phono input, there’s no end in sight for how you can use this amp.

Sound

The m33 is a stunningly dynamic sound system. It envelops listeners in an engaging and true-to-life experience, with fast precision clarity that’s great for instrumental music as well as vocals. In addition, Dirac Live ensures every detail of your listening space will be perfectly translated into the output you hear from this magnificent device.

NAD Masters Series M33 amplifiers are designed to be flexible, robust, and efficient. They deliver a stunning sonic performance with high headroom and precise control. The M33 is also highly adaptable – multiple inputs allow it to accommodate both stereo sources and surround sound systems.

Naim Uniti Star

The Uniti Star is the perfect device for any music lover who wants to stream, store and rip their entire collection of digital files with ease. Its sleek design and powerful features will be the centerpiece of any living room or bedroom.

A versatile and powerful amp that reproduces high fidelity sound

Specs

• Power output: 70W per channel into 8 ohms
• Power consumption: Typical use: 130W
• Frequency response: ±0.2 dB (20 Hz -20 kHz) -3 dB at 60 kHz
• Audio file support: 32-BIT/384kHz
• Dimensions (HWD): 9.5cm x 43cm x 26.5cm
• Weight: 12 kg (26.45lbs)

Features

The Uniti Star is a versatile player with many streaming options. Highlights include aptX HD Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and UPnP network streaming. It also has embedded support for Spotify, Tidal, Chromecast. It is also Roon-ready so that it can be used as a piece of your Naim multiroom set up with other streamers or wireless speakers. The supported audio formats are:

• WAV: up to 32bits/384kHz
• FLAC and AIFF: up to 24bit/384kHz
• ALAC (Apple Lossless): up to 24bit/384kHz
• MP3: up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)
• AAC: up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)
• OGG and WMA: up to 48kHz (16 bit)
• DSD: 64 and 128Fs

The Naim App is a one-stop shop for controlling your Uniti Star and streaming music throughout the home. The app streams all of your favorite radio stations, playlists, or even songs you want to listen to. It also includes artist bios and discographies that make it easy to find new artists similar in sound but different from what’s typically on the popular charts.

Build

The Uniti Star offers an excellent and classy design. The 5-inch full-color LCD ensures that the content is easy to see and read from a distance of about 3 feet away, even in bright outdoor lighting conditions. Furthermore, the screen wakes up automatically when you approach it, thanks to an embedded sensor that reads your proximity without needing input on your part.

The Uniti Star has various input options, including digital optical inputs, coaxial audio connections, an Ethernet port, and HDMI ARC to bring your TV onto the radar. The analog-only stereo RCA connection is available for speakers or power amplifiers and pre-out functionality for amplifiers that don’t have built-in subwoofers. A 3.5mm headphone jack allows you to listen privately without disturbing others nearby.

Sound

Naim has done a great job of maintaining the same quality, resolution, and musical drive between outputs. In addition, the Star Class AB amplification of the Uniti Star will power this device regardless of the source and drive it enough to deal with even recalcitrant speakers.

The Uniti Star sounds excellent when it comes to even sound and a grippy bass line. When the speaker is plugged in via a UPnP network, its liveliness doesn’t falter. Instead, it enhances other qualities that make this product worth buying. This unit works for any type of music without favoring one genre over another, keeping things interesting with lots of cohesion and rhythmic precision.

When we plugged in our headphones and started listening, it sounded great. It was a pleasant surprise that the headphone output produced such a clear sound.

The Naim Uniti Star is a high-quality, versatile and powerful amplifier. It will make your speakers sound the best they can be with its solid amplification system.

McIntosh MA5300

The MA5300 Integrated Amplifier is an excellent choice for those looking to make big sounds come from smaller spaces. It’s the smallest solid-state integrated amplifier in terms of power output and physical size, making it perfect for apartments or if you’re just starting with home audio systems.

A compact and powerful amp with excellent audio performance

Specs

• Power output: 100 Watts into 8 Ohms, 160 Watts into 4 Ohms
• Frequency response: +0, -3dB, 10Hz to 100kHz
• Audio file support: 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
• Speaker Impedance: 4 or 8 Ohms
• Dimensions (HWD): 44.5x15x47.6cm
• Weight: 17.2 Kg (38 lbs)

Features

The MA5300 is the perfect amplifier for any audiophile. It’s packed with features that make everyday life easier, more entertaining, and more productive.

The MA5300 can deliver 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers without distortion at any volume level. In addition, the amp’s large power transformer uses multiple filter capacitors for plenty of energy reserves to help deliver lightning-fast transient response and explosive dynamics.

The MA5300 comes with 12 inputs. 6 are analog inputs, and the rest 6 are digital.

The analog inputs have 4 unbalanced, 1 balanced, and 1 moving magnet for turntables. The other 6 digital inputs include 2 coaxial and optical, 1 USB, and 1 proprietary MCT for use with the MCT series of SACD/CD transports.

All these digital inputs are housed in the DA1 audio module. In addition, the DA1 has 8 channels of 32-bit DACs in quad balanced mode to support up to DSD256 or DXD 384kHz for playback from the SACD/CD transport. Additionally, there are two Mini plug data ports and two 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug connections.

With its Home Theater PassThru feature, you can make the MA5300 part of a multichannel surround sound system by passing through the right and left front channels from an A/V processor or surround decoder’s analog inputs.

Moreover, further utilized McIntosh technologies include: Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, and High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD).

Sound

The MA5300 may sound like just another amplifier with the same old digital technology inside, but it’s not.

It uses McIntosh’s proprietary Analog Devices AD1955 DAC chip. In addition, it has an analog signal path from input to output for all audio sources, including USB, which is converted to analog at the preamp stage. This means you get authentic audiophile quality sound without losing fidelity or dynamic range regardless of where your music comes from – CDs, vinyl, network streamers, etc.

The MA5300 is your amplifier if you want to experience a large soundstage. With the proper recordings, the placement of performers will be accurate, and they’ll have a real presence for listeners.

The McIntosh MA5300 is a powerful, flexible amplifier that you can use for many different scenarios. It has an excellent DAC with the potential to upgrade in the future. On top of that, its sound quality is impeccable. So if you are looking for versatility or just want something that sounds great, this might be your amp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an amplifier?

An amplifier is a device that changes the size of an electrical signal. The purpose of an amplifier is to receive a small electrical signal and amplify it.

In the case of a pre-amplifier, this amplification needs to be enough for power amplifiers. Power amplifiers need even more intense amplification in order to provide sound that is good enough to fill entire rooms with loud tunes. Amplifiers are often mysterious-looking boxes but inside they really just take input signals from our source (a mobile phone or turntable) and amplify them to create amplified outputs for us.

What is an integrated amplifier?

An integrated amplifier is a preamplifier and power amp built into one piece of equipment, which helps to control distortion. This means that you can use it for both small stereo systems or large surround sound setups while eliminating the need for extra gear in your audio rig.

These amplifiers provide the pre-amplification and power amplification necessary when using headphones or more than one speaker as sound output devices. They are also a great option if you need equipment that is self-contained because they usually include all input switching components and equalization circuitry needed for this purpose.

What is Signal-to-Noise Ratio for an amp?

A signal-to-noise ratio is a measurement that takes the level of noise power and compares it to the amount of useful information or “signal” among other things. The higher this number goes, usually means better specifications because there are more signals with less unwanted data in between them.

You want a good s/n ratio of 80 decibels or greater in order for your amplifier to function properly and give off a high-quality sound.

What is a preamplifier vs amplifier?

A preamp boosts the strength of a signal to line level so that it can be sent through speakers. An amplifier, on the other hand, amplifies low-level sounds in order for them to come out loud enough.

What is a low-noise amplifier?

A Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) is a device that amplifies signals of very low strength, making them clearly audible. LNAs are one the most important circuit components present in radio and other signal receivers as they prevent noise from being amplified along with the desired frequencies.

References:

1.WHAT IS AN INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER? from https://hub.yamaha.com/audio/gear/what-is-an-integrated-amplifier/

2.XLR vs. RCA interconnects: is there a difference? from https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/blog/xlr-vs-rca-interconnects-is-there-a-difference/