Let’s dive deep into my favorite amps under 1200 euros. This is not a complete list of the best speakers on the market in this price range, but rather my favorite picks and explanations as to why they made the cut.
Denon PMA-600NE
This is a great start to your HiFi journey. It is a nicely balanced amp with a great phono stage and versatility in sound, including Bluetooth and subwoofer output, all topped off with a good DAC. What more could you ask for? The bass output is full and commanding, helping your speakers transmute static current into sound waves effectively. It has a darker sound, gravitating towards balanced and neutral tones. It works well with brighter speakers but can pair with a variety of sonic characteristics. The phono stage is especially impressive at this level, offering good soundstage, mids, and detail reproduction. While it may not be a class leader, it has enough resolving power and openness to introduce you to the world of HiFi.
Full Review: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/the-best-budget-amp-for-vinyl-lovers-denon-pma-600ne-review-vs-rotel-a11-tribute
Rotel A11 Tribute
The Rotel A11 is another great budget amp, offering great refinement in mids and openness in sound. It is nicely balanced with a bit more detailed treble. Its greatest strength is its versatile and evenly distributed quality of sonic characteristics. While it might be a bit thin on bass and lower end, it provides an immediate improvement in soundstage and detail resolution compared to cheaper amps. It offers plenty of digital and analog connections, including aptX Bluetooth. However, the DAC could be better compared to other amps in this range. It has decent power to drive many speakers in this and upper price ranges.
Audiolab 6000A
This is a specialized amp in my opinion. It offers an airy and open sound, unmatched in this price range. Its dispersion, both vertically and horizontally, is impressive. The mids are rich and smooth, delivering beautiful decay and timber in instruments while highlighting individual details in drums and vocals. Its weakness is that it doesn’t open up dynamically in bass and treble, resulting in a somewhat thin sound. It is great for creating big sonic soundscapes but lacks character. When paired correctly with more forward speakers, it can create a great synergy.
Rega Brio
This is another specialized amp but in a different direction. If you love detailed sound with emphasized treble, this one is for you. It delivers an incredible amount of details and textures in this price range, making your speakers sound new. It provides a forward, defined, punchy, and agile sound. The soundstage is good, and the separation is decent, though not the best in class. However, the emphasis on treble can bury the mids slightly, making it less ideal for vocal-centric music. It is a purely analog amp, so don’t expect many inputs.
Full Review: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/i-don-t-like-it-but-it-is-excellent-rega-brio-integrated-amplifier-review
Cambridge Audio CXA61
This amp requires an investment from your budget models and is a more mature device. Its versatility in sound and features is one of its greatest talents. It offers great soundstage, detailed treble, and decent bass. The presentation is forward and punchy, making it great for energetic and rhythmic music. It delivers an impressive experience with soundstage, details, and punch, especially for jazz. However, don’t expect too much clarity and separation, as vocals are a bit heavy but not so pronounced.
QUAD Vena II
If you want to buy a cheaper but extraordinary all-around amp, look no further. Severely reduced in price, it now offers great value. It has a fantastic phono stage, said to be engineered to RIAA standards with great precision. It produces a darker sound with pronounced, agile bass, taming brighter speakers by shaving high notes' dynamics in the treble. It couples big sound with great attention to detail, emphasizing the breath and textures of instruments. While it might lack a unique character, it does many things well, making it a strong recommendation.
Musical Fidelity M3si
My favorite amp in this price range, offering tremendous value. It drives all your speakers with stability and masculinity, delivering well-defined sound full of details and expression. The soundstage is brimming with details without overpowering the treble, providing a balanced and resolving power that is amazing. It allows for long listening sessions without fatigue, offering great sonic soundstage and impressive bass.
Yamaha A-S801
If you love vintage looks and sound, Yamaha amps are a great choice. They mix vintage smooth sonics with great soundstage and detail reproduction. While it might be an acquired taste, it eases music with a relaxing presentation. It delivers dynamically from bass to treble, providing a rich, full sound. The DAC inside is incredible, reading DSD up to 256 and organizing information well. Pair it with a good streamer or connect to a PC for major improvements in streaming music.
Arcam SA20
For a great taste of Class G amplifiers, the Arcam SA20 is highly recommended. Class G utilizes Class A for low-level signals and switches to an additional power supply for larger sections of the waveform. It delivers stable and strong power with a punch, bass, and openness. It lacks the airiness and detail reproduction of more neutral amps but offers a balanced, muscular sound. It is a fun and musical amp that can drive any speaker you have.
Roksan Attessa
Finally, the Roksan Attessa impresses with its balanced sonic spectrum, not coloring your speakers’ sound. It packs a lot of power with talents equally distributed among sonic qualities. It offers great connections and features, including a capable DAC. While it can sound a bit anemic with the wrong combination, it is a must-look for those who prefer transparent, neutral amps, emphasizing soundstage, details, and transparency.
Conclusion
Thanks for watching this video of my favorite amps under 1200 euros. Do you agree with me? Do you have your favorites that you think should be here? Please let me know in the comments; I always love to hear other audiophile opinions. The HiFi world is vast, and there is always a hidden gem from smaller companies, and I dream about hearing and knowing it all. If you liked this video, please like, subscribe, and donate via Patreon if you can.
All the best, bye!
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