In recent issues I’ve offered advice on choosing and setting up loudspeakers, record players and music streamers, and now it’s the turn of your system’s core component. A stereo amplifier is the beating heart of any hi-fi separates system; the necessary middleman between a source (such as a CD player or turntable) and pair of passive loudspeakers. Without one, you simply don’t get. a sound! And which one you choose and how you use it will have a huge impact on the sonic quality and character of your whole system.
Indeed, there is more to getting the best out of stereo amplifiers than simply powering them upon a hi-fi rack, plugging in speakers and going wild with the volume dial. Where should you place it, for example? And how’s best to connect it? Are upgrade paths available to you?
If you’re wondering where to start with your brand-new stereo amplifier, or haven’t even got that far yet and are wondering which type of amplifier would be best for you next, let’s run through the basics…
Integrated, pre/power… or neither?
If you’ve already purchased an amplifier and are now eyeing it up with a view to getting started or perhaps better acquainted, you may wish to skip straight to the next, (system matching) section. But if you’re reading this before you have chosen the two-channel amplifier needed to drive your system, you have an important decision to
