I have had the Rega Brio for a few years now that I bought here from Audio Advice. It is an absolutely amazing piece of gear that I have never had the desire to change.
I pretty much concur with the conclusions. The Rega is very smooth, and probably should be paired with a more forward speaker, as should the Cambridge, while Rotel should be paired with a speaker that is a little more laid back. This is a fine synergy, and should please any music lover.
I own the Cambridge AXA35 and Rega IO. For those just starting out, I would highly recommend both, but the IO does sound better than the AXA35 (it should for twice the price). In fact, it sounds better than anything I've ever heard sub-$1k. Also - important point here - I wouldn't get too caught up on the power rating. The AXA35 is 35wpc and Rega IO is 30wpc, but I can tell you that the Rega is considerably more powerful than the Cambridge. I think Cambridge is either overstating the power rating or Rega is (very) understating their power rating.
This was one of the most enjoyable you tube reviews of amplifiers under $1000. Delivered with true passion and detail. What was revealing that most recommended amps came from UK and none from USA considering the spokesman being from North America.....
@@Romulus980 you call it a review but a review means critical appraisal, and do you think a shop who does RUclips “reviews” snd who sells two brands would say if they think one outdoes the other, when it’s the case. This happens. Maybe it’s just a choice of words but sometimes I do wonder if people think they are reviews
I chose a Cambridge Audio CXA61 paired with a QAcoustics 3050i based on your advice last year in June. The lockdowns meant I couldn't view or hear the gear before ordering and it costs twice as much in Mumbai thanks to the import costs. So a mistake would be pretty expensive. Exactly a year after my purchase, I must say that it has been a great choice. Thank you for helping with my selection!
Yes your right it does , i run my Rega P6 with Ania cartridge through a Brio hav'nt got speakers yet headphones only at the moment, speakers are next on the list , funds were a little low at the time so i got what i could afford . It's painful waiting i have to say !
@@beardedrogue Hi i am using Sennheiser HD 660S which are good but i can't use them for more than 2 hours , i find headphones generally uncomfortable, I am however checking out Spendor A2s soon , i can't wait :)
Sorry Phono heeft de CXA61 niet hoor. Ik heb een CXA61 Cambridge. Jij bedoeld waarschijnlijk de CXA81 die heeft wel phono input. Heb mijn Cambridge CXA61 € 875 betaald nieuw.
As a previous marantz user recently switched to Rega. I should of done that years ago! Rega io will provide you an excellent sound I can guarantee that! Dont let its little size fool you, its a punchy little f....!😀
I like the look of the Cambridge stuff!!! Rotel stuff is nice too!!! I like the fact Rega makes their own stuff still!! Ok, fine... All three brands it is!!!!
Good video to help newbies. :) Apparently Cambridge has come a long way; their amps from a few years ago were boring as hell. The Brio is a classic, and the Rega in this video is likely the best of this group. Btw, it's toroidal. Not toroidial. (not sure why everyone is saying torodial lately in all the vids I've been watching. Sorry - pet peeve of mine. lol Please ignore me. hahaha)
@@Gadgetdad007 Newer Cambridge amps are apparently quite good. An acquaintance of mine bought a Cambridge 851A integrated that he uses with some MA Silver 5i speakers he bought from me, and from what he says + the reviews, it seems like a really good amp. (I have no first-hand experience with it, though). But yeah-for sure- Cambridge was not that great previously.
Very annoying that the $350 AXA35 has a digital display and 1/4” headphone jack, while the $1000 CXA61 has a piece of black plastic for just push buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
@@miguelsuz81 i use Klipsch R620f as Speakers but also have tried out the RP600m. The RP600m have way better highs but the 620fs have more and deeper bass.
I have the Cambridge CXA 61 and its CXN matching streamer connected to a pair of 20 year old vintage Quad 11L loudspeakers. I am very happy indeed with the sound.
Thanks for the video. Its great. I have sonette iii for a year. I use Musical Fidelity M3si amplifier with sonettos. (85W on 8 ohm). What do you think about my amplifier to drive these sonetto iii's well? Since i dont have any opportunity to test my sonetto's with another amplifier, i am not sure that i'm using the right ampl. or not. Should i change it? And what are my alternatives (Denon 2500NE, Yamaha as2000 etc.) ?
Dave- great question. The Martin Logan models are pretty easy to drive. We have had several people use the Brio or CXA61 or 81 with those and get great results. Thanks for watching!
Why don't audio reviewers suggest amp and speakers pairings instead of these "best" lists? Most of us cannot go to audio stores and try the pairings ourselves. It is very tough to know what goes well with what. It would be really great to have that kind of suggestions. Cheers!
Which one of these would pair best with Elac 2.0 B6.2's? Is the Axa35 really enough even with the current intake considered? Thinking its btwn the Cxa61 and Rega Brio. I have a ifi zen pre-amp and a Fluance rt85n...so im looking mainly for analog vinyl.
great video. i have been eye ballling the CXA81 for a long time. but of late have really begun to consider the A11 Tribute. What do you need to run phono into the cambridge?
Unlike the other amps in this video, there's no product name and model number for the higher-powered Cambridge that you like so much, and I can't quite understand it when it's spoken. Is it CX-A61 ? Or is it CX-S61 ?
Bluesound Powernode is astonishing consider that it is a $600 BluOS streamer AND an amp with plenty of power plus HDMI arc! I have one. I also had a Rega Brio which is very nice, for those wanting a phono stage instead of a streamer.
Thanks. The Brio is all analog. You would need a DAC. This one is a good value www.audioadvice.com/cambridge-audio-azur-dacmagic-100. The next model up and the Chord Mojo are even better. Thanks for watching
Does the Denon PMA-800NE not compete with any of these amp? I'm hearing great things about this amp and was wondering where it would fit in with this group. Love the channel!
I have a pair of Klipsch Fortes I bought in 1988, bringing them back from the dead with new crossovers, what amp would you recommend? Power handling 100 and 8 impedance…sensitivity 98db
Please reach out to our team at www,audioadvice.com for the best advice. The Forte does not require much power, so good quality power will be your best bet. Thanks for watching
I am wanting to upgrade from my Marantz pm6005, I bought a new pair of Dali Oberon 7 speakers and I feel the amp is lacking a bit. Would the Brio be a good match for them? I listen to vinyl mostly with Alexa hooked up for casual listening. Cheers !
In a small to medium room, yes, you should hear a big improvement. If you have any more questions, please reach out to us at www.audioadvice.com. Thanks for watching
I have the Oberon 7's and Brio using a Chord Qutest and Marantz CD6006 (via the Dac) and the sound is fantastic. It will more than fill a medium room, as those speaker are not fussy you will get great sound all over the house. I mainly use Spotify and CD so can't comment on vinyl but the phono input has an excellent reputation.
@@winstonsmith2079 Thanks, I still haven’t bit the bullet and bought it yet as you can only seem to buy it from in store in the uk, I have no idea why I can’t get it online 😖 I did buy an audio lab 6000 but returned it as the bass was non existent so I will definitely try this, just as soon as I can get into a dealer.
Hi sir,I am planning to buy a stereo amp with Bluetooth and bookshelf speakers, I play music through Bluetooth from my smartphone and also wants to connect my TV. I like bright and warm sound ,kindly suggest amp under 1000 dollars and how I'd dali oberon 3 bookshelf speakers? Kindly guide me 🙏
Great Advice however I still use my Sansui AU999 to hear my LP and my Sansui 2000X to listen to FM stereo. While the Rega Brio small as it is, is tucked awayneatly in my storage cabinet. I must congratulate Rega for making it compact and it save a lot of space in my storage cabinet, Unused!. Tucked neatly in the corner of the storage cabinet. Ergonomically I hate the Rega Brio, try fitting all the thick interconnects into the RCA input. You need a tweezer to insert and to pull out. Don't think of dropping a metal object, like a stapler, spoon, metal ruler and have it landed across the two gold color speaker. A short circuit will occur and It might kill your amp in an instance. They should insulate the expose bare terminals. As we know Rega design don't come with short circuit protection nor DC fault condition. Another headache is, if you have too many turntable and the constant flipping of the amp, that weigh a ton in one hand and at the same time trying to access the ground terminal located underneath. No such issue with Sansui amps just flipped the switch phono 1 and Phono 2.
thanks for this review. I was interested in your comment that these would blow a vintage piece away. Would this apply to a Sansui G 8000? I own one and have toyed with the idea of trying a modern piece but have this feeling i wont be blown away. your thoughts?
That is one vintage piece that sounds very good. There is a craze going on now of people paying outrageous money for vintage receivers that did not even sound very good in their day. A reworked G8000 though is a different story, it did sound great in its time. However the top two on this list would likely sound better. Thanks for watching
I'm a power monger! I play A LOT of metal at high volumes. Neighbors hate me I'm sure!! But I really miss the old Adcom pre/power setup I had 30 years ago... Had a Yamaha power amp about 25 years ago teamed up with a Kenwood pre that was sweet as well. Like I said...power monger!!
I am looking for the best amplifier for my B&W 603 S3 speakers. Some people would recommend Yamaha AS501 or Rotel A11 Tribute or an older one, Nakamichi Amplifier 1. What's your opinion about this? Thank you!
David, it depends on the type of sources you want to use, some of these are analog only, some have digital and USB inputs. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for the best advice. Even the Rega IO in a small space would drive those well, but you may need a different feature set. Thanks for watching
Hallo audio advice, currently I am using floorstanding wharfedale diamond 12.4 powered with denon x3600h receiver. When using pure direct, it was to boomy (over in bass). I am plan to using pre-out connect with separated integrated amplifier. Which one can improve upper range and lower the sound of the bass? Thanks before
I just got a vintage record player and had a quick question. I don’t want to spend more than 150$ on an intergraded amp, would it be best to buy a pre amp and a receiver instead then?
If you only have the turntable and need both speakers and an integrated amp you might be best with a pair of powered speakers that have a phono preamp built in. Thanks for watching
It should be fine there. Your question caused us to look up that famous speaker, we remember it in the 70's when it was about $500 a pair, and now its almost 4000 Euro! Wow Thanks for watching
Just fixed my re-capped Arcam 8R (had to swapout the MOSFETS) - bi-amped with a 8P (also re-capped) - the A11 will be on sale soon - has some nice features but just does not sound nearly as good as the old kit.
I would like to know in terms of sound if the Advance Acoustic playstream A5 amplifier behaves in front of these amplifiers, as they have similar specifications! I don't see many reviews of this device.. thanks
Any speaker under 1K you can recommend for a Rega IO, if I'm in a small room? Need something that can work fine relatively close to front wall (30-40cm) without getting boomy. I listen to all kinds of music, mostly classic rock, pop, jazz, blues, and some classical. Thanks.
That is a great speaker. There are a lot of factors in choosing the right integrated amp. We suggest you reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss the best solution for you. Thanks for watching our video.
Well presented video. I like the rega brio but for under $1,000.00 amps I'd go for the made in usa Schitt Vidar. 100wpc @8ohms or 200wpc@4ohms. Plus a 600 voltage amps teansformer for $699.99.
I am using a pair of Wharfedale diamond 12.2 with Cambridge axa35 and I am not really getting the bass and bottom end as well as I expected. The mid range is great. I was thinking the Rotel May be more suited to these speakers 🤔
Hi, I am using wharfedale diamond 12.2 with topping pa5 amp + topping e50 dac/ifi zen one signature dac. The ifi zen one signature brings out the midrange and makes the music more forward but could somewhat sound sharp and muffled. The E50 on the other hand gives a more smooth sound signature with more gain. Now I am thinking of replacing the amp with marantz pm6007 or cambridge axa35. However, after reading your comment, the axa35 does not seem like the right choice for the 12.2. I am wondering what amp/integrated amp would be a significant upgrade to drive these 12.2 in a medium-large room with no room treatment. Kindly let me know if you have found a matching pair for your 12.2. Regards.
I love your content and the way it is presented. I have one minor criticism though. You are producing "toroidal" incorrectly. You add a letter l after the d and pronounce the word "tor-roi-dee-al.
Great question. To use home theater bypass mode on a two-channel integrated amp, your home theater receiver needs to have pre-amp outs for the left and right channels. A lot of them do, but it appears your RXV583 does not, so the answer is no.
@@AudioAdvice Hi, I am planning to buy Cambridge audio axr 100 but I am wondering if my polk s50 floor standers will go well with axr 100? If not could you please suggest some suitable speakers to pair with ? Thanks Jitendra
Great Review! I’m curious about the Rotel?! I have had the Brio-r 2012 and it was lean sounding! Any suggestion to mostly listen to Classic Rock & Heavy Metal? Best Regards!
David- stereo receivers do seem to be fading away, there are very few on the market, Cambridge actually makes some very good ones. Integrated amps which are basically a receiver without the tuner are becoming very popular. Thanks for watching!
Based on today's listening habit, I switch between digital streaming and LP with a dash of Netflix on TV thrown in. Besides a KEF LS wireless, and combo like Monitor Audio 100 x Audiolab 6000a, what other combo would accommodate aforementioned habits? Would be great if you can do a comparison of gear combo under say $1500? 🙏
Thanks for the idea, we might try and do that. Your best bet for that use case would be an amp with optical in for your TV, a phono input, and a streamer built in. None of these have all of that unfortunately. The Fives from Klipsch are also an option. Thanks for watchimg
For the Brio it was mentioned that the volume knob is jerky in how it responds to the remote. Is it the same case with the io? Setting the volume precisely with the remote is an important criteria for me, something I’ve not been able to do with my peachtree nova.
It has enough power for dentons 80th anniversary, however I don’t get the extra oomph or the clarity that I could get with my previous Yamaha av receiver. If you get axa35 stick with forward and very sensitive speakers.
With prices being so fluid we stopped putting them into our videos about 2 years ago. You can just link to the written article that has a link in the description that will take you to the page on our site that will show current prices for each one.
Loved the review but a bit surprised that the high end review didn't include the Rotel A12. Seemed much more like the CXA61 then the Rega or is the sound of the Rotel significantly not as good as the others?
I have had the Rega Brio for a few years now that I bought here from Audio Advice. It is an absolutely amazing piece of gear that I have never had the desire to change.
We really appreciate your support of Audio Advice. Happy to hear you are enjoying the Rega Brio!
Made in the Uk
I'd throw in the Audiolab 6000a in. Fantastic amp for the money, a wonderfully confident and balanced sound.
i still use an old 8000a and still reckon it to be the best for the price
I'm sure they don't sell those so no mention.🙄🤭
@@bigjay1970 Well, I'll mention it because I'm sure there's other hi-fi outlets available. 🙄
Probably didn't include because he stated south of $1000 and the list price of the 6000A is 1199.00 (1200).
what does that mean - confident and balanced - from a newbie?
I pretty much concur with the conclusions. The Rega is very smooth, and probably should be paired with a more forward speaker, as should the Cambridge, while Rotel should be paired with a speaker that is a little more laid back. This is a fine synergy, and should please any music lover.
Rega would be good with B&W 606
So, a Rotel with Wharfedale Linton's?
Which speakers do you recommend for the Rotel?

A very useful breakdown of integrated amps that give you impressive sound and build quality, especially for the price.
Thank you!
I own the Cambridge AXA35 and Rega IO. For those just starting out, I would highly recommend both, but the IO does sound better than the AXA35 (it should for twice the price). In fact, it sounds better than anything I've ever heard sub-$1k. Also - important point here - I wouldn't get too caught up on the power rating. The AXA35 is 35wpc and Rega IO is 30wpc, but I can tell you that the Rega is considerably more powerful than the Cambridge. I think Cambridge is either overstating the power rating or Rega is (very) understating their power rating.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
I have the axa25 and I’m surprised how freakin’ loud it gets at half way on the volume knob lol
This was one of the most enjoyable you tube reviews of amplifiers under $1000. Delivered with true passion and detail. What was revealing that most recommended amps came from UK and none from USA considering the spokesman being from North America.....
We are happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Yeah but how the hell can they be reviews when you sell it stargazer?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 What exactly are you trying to say....?
@@Romulus980 you call it a review but a review means critical appraisal, and do you think a shop who does RUclips “reviews” snd who sells two brands would say if they think one outdoes the other, when it’s the case. This happens. Maybe it’s just a choice of words but sometimes I do wonder if people think they are reviews
I chose a Cambridge Audio CXA61 paired with a QAcoustics 3050i based on your advice last year in June. The lockdowns meant I couldn't view or hear the gear before ordering and it costs twice as much in Mumbai thanks to the import costs. So a mistake would be pretty expensive.
Exactly a year after my purchase, I must say that it has been a great choice. Thank you for helping with my selection!
Great to hear! Thank you for watching!
Amazing how much quality and functionality can be packed into these devices, at quite reasonable prices. Great review!
Man, that Rega Brio looks super simple to use. Bet it sounds awesome, since they focused all the attention on sonics instead of features.
Agreed Ernie I like having a good foundational piece with the flexibility to add a DAC or streamer (and those digital pieces change over time)
Yes your right it does , i run my Rega P6 with Ania cartridge through a Brio hav'nt got speakers yet
headphones only at the moment, speakers are next on the list , funds were a little low at the time so i got what
i could afford . It's painful waiting i have to say !
@@beardedrogue Hi i am using Sennheiser HD 660S which are good but i can't use them for more than 2 hours , i find headphones generally uncomfortable,
I am however checking out Spendor A2s soon , i can't wait :)
Good stuff, love the comparisons and easy to understand technology.
Well done reviews, Sir. I have the Rega io amp and like it a lot. Even has a remote control.
Right on!
The Cambridge sounds great and has all of the inputs I need, including phono. Great choice!
Sorry Phono heeft de CXA61 niet hoor. Ik heb een CXA61 Cambridge. Jij bedoeld waarschijnlijk de CXA81 die heeft wel phono input. Heb mijn Cambridge CXA61 € 875 betaald nieuw.
Thanks for your suggestion sir, Rego io is best,sir which bookshelf speakers are best for this amplifier sir ,I want your suggestion please reply sir
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com, we have a lot of great bookshelf speakers. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for explaining what a preamp is.
Why don't you guys have Musical Fidelity products?
Thank you. Well, we can't have everything :)
As a previous marantz user recently switched to Rega. I should of done that years ago! Rega io will provide you an excellent sound I can guarantee that! Dont let its little size fool you, its a punchy little f....!😀
Thanks for your comments. Yes the Rega amps don’t look fancy but sound great.
I like the look of the Cambridge stuff!!! Rotel stuff is nice too!!! I like the fact Rega makes their own stuff still!! Ok, fine... All three brands it is!!!!
Those Regas are sooo musical. The IO lacks air im my view.
Good video to help newbies. :) Apparently Cambridge has come a long way; their amps from a few years ago were boring as hell. The Brio is a classic, and the Rega in this video is likely the best of this group. Btw, it's toroidal. Not toroidial. (not sure why everyone is saying torodial lately in all the vids I've been watching. Sorry - pet peeve of mine. lol Please ignore me. hahaha)
Thanks for your comments. You are right on the pronunciation, thanks for the tip
@@AudioAdvice lol thanks for taking it in stride. hahaha It was just something I happened to notice in several vids in a row, not only yours. Cheers!
Yeah Cambridge audio are sh*t and as the saying goes you can’t polish a turd 💩
@@Gadgetdad007 Newer Cambridge amps are apparently quite good. An acquaintance of mine bought a Cambridge 851A integrated that he uses with some MA Silver 5i speakers he bought from me, and from what he says + the reviews, it seems like a really good amp. (I have no first-hand experience with it, though). But yeah-for sure- Cambridge was not that great previously.
Nothing like a nice integrated amp to get you into really great sound at a reasonable budget.
Very annoying that the $350 AXA35 has a digital display and 1/4” headphone jack, while the $1000 CXA61 has a piece of black plastic for just push buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The upside down text on the Cambridge inputs is pure genius
It sure is, we love it!
Bought a A11 Tribute half a year ago and its awesome.
Yes, it is a nice amp. Thanks for watching!
And I have ordered a A14 mkii. Will see if I will be satisfied.
@@musiconvinylisbetter.1449 any thoughts on how they compare? Thanks!
@@miguelsuz81 i use Klipsch R620f as Speakers but also have tried out the RP600m. The RP600m have way better highs but the 620fs have more and deeper bass.
I have the Cambridge CXA 61 and its CXN matching streamer connected to a pair of 20 year old vintage Quad 11L loudspeakers. I am very happy indeed with the sound.
Very informative and thorough video comparison video!
Have you had an opportunity to audition an IOTAVX SA3? That's what I own and I'm very satisfied with the purchase.
Awesome review. I like the higher end Cambridge amp. CSA61. Just one question. Will it drive the Polk Audio LSI15 at 4 ohms? Thanks once again
Thank you, it should yes
Thanks for the video. Its great. I have sonette iii for a year. I use Musical Fidelity M3si amplifier with sonettos. (85W on 8 ohm). What do you think about my amplifier to drive these sonetto iii's well? Since i dont have any opportunity to test my sonetto's with another amplifier, i am not sure that i'm using the right ampl. or not. Should i change it? And what are my alternatives (Denon 2500NE, Yamaha as2000 etc.) ?
Please reach out to our team at www.audio advice.com for the best advice. Thanks for watching
Thank you very much for this extremely helpful and informative video! Subscribed!
Welcome aboard! Thanks
Great video, but one question. Will any of these drive ESLs?
Dave- great question. The Martin Logan models are pretty easy to drive. We have had several people use the Brio or CXA61 or 81 with those and get great results. Thanks for watching!
Why don't audio reviewers suggest amp and speakers pairings instead of these "best" lists? Most of us cannot go to audio stores and try the pairings ourselves. It is very tough to know what goes well with what. It would be really great to have that kind of suggestions. Cheers!
Great point, we will consider that for some future content as there are some magical pairings we have heard over the years. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for clearly explaining what can be a confusing concept to those who are setting up a music system.
Glad it was helpful!
Which one of these would pair best with Elac 2.0 B6.2's? Is the Axa35 really enough even with the current intake considered? Thinking its btwn the Cxa61 and Rega Brio. I have a ifi zen pre-amp and a Fluance rt85n...so im looking mainly for analog vinyl.
Keanu- great questions, please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss those two really good options. Thanks for watching
great video. i have been eye ballling the CXA81 for a long time. but of late have really begun to consider the A11 Tribute. What do you need to run phono into the cambridge?
Thanks Jon! The Solo would be a good one for MM, the Duo for MC www.audioadvice.com/cambridge-solo-phono-preamplifier Thanks for watching!
Nice review! No sub out in AXA35 is a shame for me.
Unlike the other amps in this video, there's no product name and model number for the higher-powered Cambridge that you like so much, and I can't quite understand it when it's spoken. Is it CX-A61 ? Or is it CX-S61 ?
Sorry about that. It is the CXA61. Thanks for watching
Bluesound Powernode is astonishing consider that it is a $600 BluOS streamer AND an amp with plenty of power plus HDMI arc! I have one. I also had a Rega Brio which is very nice, for those wanting a phono stage instead of a streamer.
Yes, the powernode is really quite great!
Informative vid. With the Rega Brio - Is there a way to hook up a CD Transport?? Or, no way without the Coax input?
Thanks. The Brio is all analog. You would need a DAC. This one is a good value www.audioadvice.com/cambridge-audio-azur-dacmagic-100. The next model up and the Chord Mojo are even better. Thanks for watching
Does the Denon PMA-800NE not compete with any of these amp? I'm hearing great things about this amp and was wondering where it would fit in with this group.
Love the channel!
I have a pair of Klipsch Fortes I bought in 1988, bringing them back from the dead with new crossovers, what amp would you recommend? Power handling 100 and 8 impedance…sensitivity 98db
Please reach out to our team at www,audioadvice.com for the best advice. The Forte does not require much power, so good quality power will be your best bet. Thanks for watching
I am wanting to upgrade from my Marantz pm6005, I bought a new pair of Dali Oberon 7 speakers and I feel the amp is lacking a bit. Would the Brio be a good match for them? I listen to vinyl mostly with Alexa hooked up for casual listening. Cheers !
In a small to medium room, yes, you should hear a big improvement. If you have any more questions, please reach out to us at www.audioadvice.com. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice Thank you for the fast reply! It is for a small room, so sounds about perfect.
I have the Oberon 7's and Brio using a Chord Qutest and Marantz CD6006 (via the Dac) and the sound is fantastic. It will more than fill a medium room, as those speaker are not fussy you will get great sound all over the house. I mainly use Spotify and CD so can't comment on vinyl but the phono input has an excellent reputation.
@@winstonsmith2079 Thanks, I still haven’t bit the bullet and bought it yet as you can only seem to buy it from in store in the uk, I have no idea why I can’t get it online 😖 I did buy an audio lab 6000 but returned it as the bass was non existent so I will definitely try this, just as soon as I can get into a dealer.
hi great review.
kef ks50 meta with rotel a11 will be good combination?(power)
That speaker needs quite a bit of power, you should be ok in a small room. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice no no, be honest please
What would be best for my ELAC UniFi UBR62 Reference 6ohm 86db 140W speaker ?
Thanks 🙏
Hi sir,I am planning to buy a stereo amp with Bluetooth and bookshelf speakers, I play music through Bluetooth from my smartphone and also wants to connect my TV.
I like bright and warm sound ,kindly suggest amp under 1000 dollars and how I'd dali oberon 3 bookshelf speakers?
Kindly guide me 🙏
This is a 3 year old video. This is your best bet www.audioadvice.com/home-audio/components/integrated-amps/nad-c-338-hybrid-digital-dac-amplifier
Great Advice however I still use my Sansui AU999 to hear my LP and my Sansui 2000X to listen to FM stereo. While the Rega Brio small as it is, is tucked awayneatly in my storage cabinet. I must congratulate Rega for making it compact and it save a lot of space in my storage cabinet, Unused!. Tucked neatly in the corner of the storage cabinet.
Ergonomically I hate the Rega Brio, try fitting all the thick interconnects into the RCA input. You need a tweezer to insert and to pull out. Don't think of dropping a metal object, like a stapler, spoon, metal ruler and have it landed across the two gold color speaker. A short circuit will occur and It might kill your amp in an instance. They should insulate the expose bare terminals. As we know Rega design don't come with short circuit protection nor DC fault condition. Another headache is, if you have too many turntable and the constant flipping of the amp, that weigh a ton in one hand and at the same time trying to access the ground terminal located underneath. No such issue with Sansui amps just flipped the switch phono 1 and Phono 2.
The Vincent 200 & Vincent 500 both come in under $1200 and can't be beat.
Great list of some fantastic integrated amps.
thanks for this review. I was interested in your comment that these would blow a vintage piece away. Would this apply to a Sansui G 8000? I own one and have toyed with the idea of trying a modern piece but have this feeling i wont be blown away. your thoughts?
That is one vintage piece that sounds very good. There is a craze going on now of people paying outrageous money for vintage receivers that did not even sound very good in their day. A reworked G8000 though is a different story, it did sound great in its time. However the top two on this list would likely sound better. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice thanks for replying. That gets me interested as the Sansui knocks me out all the time. Would be interesting to hear the next level.
Sir which amplifier is best for small room in best stereo performence.I want your suggestion please reply me sir,
The Rega io would be great for your application. Thanks for watching
I'm a power monger! I play A LOT of metal at high volumes. Neighbors hate me I'm sure!! But I really miss the old Adcom pre/power setup I had 30 years ago...
Had a Yamaha power amp about 25 years ago teamed up with a Kenwood pre that was sweet as well. Like I said...power monger!!
You can never have too much power. But you’ll need to spend more than 1k to get a lot of good power.
Why is the Audiolab 6000A not included in this review?
I would add Imotiva to the list. Full featured and good sounding.
Thanks for sharing!
Great information and review.
Great review, Leon.
Thanks Jesse! Thanks for watching
Great overview!
I am looking for the best amplifier for my B&W 603 S3 speakers. Some people would recommend Yamaha AS501 or Rotel A11 Tribute or an older one, Nakamichi Amplifier 1. What's your opinion about this? Thank you!
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for some advice. The more good power with those, the better. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice thank you.
Which of these would pair best with b and w 607s2 or any other alternative?
David, it depends on the type of sources you want to use, some of these are analog only, some have digital and USB inputs. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for the best advice. Even the Rega IO in a small space would drive those well, but you may need a different feature set. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice source is CD player only
Hallo audio advice, currently I am using floorstanding wharfedale diamond 12.4 powered with denon x3600h receiver. When using pure direct, it was to boomy (over in bass). I am plan to using pre-out connect with separated integrated amplifier. Which one can improve upper range and lower the sound of the bass? Thanks before
I own a sprout100. $700 and it's perfect for my needs.
Fantastic video. Thank you very much
Glad you liked it!
I want a CXA81 for my Triangle Celius 902 speakers. I will play metal songs: Deicide, Obituary, Mayhem, Darkthrone, etc.
What do you say ?
You should be fine, those speakers appear to be very easy to drive. Thanks for watching
Excellent advice….I just yesterday installed my Marantz PM7000M
Thank you. We hope you enjoy your new Marantz.
Because vintage was referred, I suggest sansui au 9900.
I have the Sansui au-999 for my second home office, paired with the Wharfedale 225 and I am amazed at the 40 year old Sansui
I just got a vintage record player and had a quick question. I don’t want to spend more than 150$ on an intergraded amp, would it be best to buy a pre amp and a receiver instead then?
If you only have the turntable and need both speakers and an integrated amp you might be best with a pair of powered speakers that have a phono preamp built in. Thanks for watching
Hi nice video, I'm looking for something for my Triangle Comètes Ez. Any idea other than Rega or Cambridge?
Those are two great choices.
Great review
Hi I would like some advice on which of this amp would fit better with any of the Wharfedale diamond 11.2 thanks
Out of these, the Rega Brio. Thanks for watching
How come the audiolab 6000a didn't make the list?.
Hi, will the brio drive Rogers ls3/5. 15 Ohm . If not what will with a sweet sound full mids and not sharp highs? Thank you reinhart
It should be fine there. Your question caused us to look up that famous speaker, we remember it in the 70's when it was about $500 a pair, and now its almost 4000 Euro! Wow Thanks for watching
You should really consider Atoll Electronique IN50 signature and IN30, they are amazing.
Just fixed my re-capped Arcam 8R (had to swapout the MOSFETS) - bi-amped with a 8P (also re-capped) - the A11 will be on sale soon - has some nice features but just does not sound nearly as good as the old kit.
We hear you, Mark! Thanks for watching our videos.
I would like to know in terms of sound if the Advance Acoustic playstream A5 amplifier behaves in front of these amplifiers, as they have similar specifications! I don't see many reviews of this device.. thanks
Any speaker under 1K you can recommend for a Rega IO, if I'm in a small room? Need something that can work fine relatively close to front wall (30-40cm) without getting boomy. I listen to all kinds of music, mostly classic rock, pop, jazz, blues, and some classical. Thanks.
Please pop over to www.audioadvice.com to chat with one of our audio experts. Thanks for watching!
What about for the Sonus Faber lumina II witch amp wil be a good pairing ?
That is a great speaker. There are a lot of factors in choosing the right integrated amp. We suggest you reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss the best solution for you. Thanks for watching our video.
Thank you very much Mr Branson.
ha ha! Thanks for watching
Such a helpful video!
Well presented video. I like the rega brio but for under $1,000.00 amps I'd go for the made in usa Schitt Vidar. 100wpc @8ohms or 200wpc@4ohms. Plus a 600 voltage amps teansformer for $699.99.
Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Audiolab 6000a surely !
You listed 5 integrated amps under $1000 without mentioning the best one of the bunch. The Yamaha A-S801
That is a good one as well, we had fun debating which ones made the list. Thanks for watching
I am using a pair of Wharfedale diamond 12.2 with Cambridge axa35 and I am not really getting the bass and bottom end as well as I expected. The mid range is great. I was thinking the Rotel May be more suited to these speakers 🤔
Yes, you might could use more power. Thanks for watching
Hi, I am using wharfedale diamond 12.2 with topping pa5 amp + topping e50 dac/ifi zen one signature dac. The ifi zen one signature brings out the midrange and makes the music more forward but could somewhat sound sharp and muffled. The E50 on the other hand gives a more smooth sound signature with more gain. Now I am thinking of replacing the amp with marantz pm6007 or cambridge axa35. However, after reading your comment, the axa35 does not seem like the right choice for the 12.2. I am wondering what amp/integrated amp would be a significant upgrade to drive these 12.2 in a medium-large room with no room treatment. Kindly let me know if you have found a matching pair for your 12.2. Regards.
I want to be able to use a Chromecast to watch video, so I need an HDMI, but have no desire for more than 2 channel audio. Any suggestions?
This would be a good choice www.audioadvice.com/marantz-nr1200-high-performance-stereo-receiver Thanks for watching
I love your content and the way it is presented. I have one minor criticism though. You are producing "toroidal" incorrectly. You add a letter l after the d and pronounce the word "tor-roi-dee-al.
Thank you for pointing this out. We appreciate your comments.
I bought a pair Martin logan 35xti what amplifier is good for them????
Most of these except the smallest would work well. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for more information. Thanks for watching
Hi, can I use HT bypass with my Yamaha rxv 583 Avr if I will be buying one amp with HT bypass feature?
Thanks,
Great question. To use home theater bypass mode on a two-channel integrated amp, your home theater receiver needs to have pre-amp outs for the left and right channels. A lot of them do, but it appears your RXV583 does not, so the answer is no.
@@AudioAdvice Thank you for your quick response.
@@AudioAdvice will Denon 1600h work?
@@TheJiten555 no, it must have front right and left channel preamp outs
@@AudioAdvice Hi, I am planning to buy Cambridge audio axr 100 but I am wondering if my polk s50 floor standers will go well with axr 100? If not could you please suggest some suitable speakers to pair with ?
Thanks
Jitendra
Does any reviewer do amp reviews for the UK, we have Cambride here too but they are Analog
Not really sure, we focus on products in the USA. Thanks for watching
If you have Bowers and Wilkins speakers Rotel is the way
Thanks for sharing! Rotel makes good stuff
Great Review! I’m curious about the Rotel?! I have had the Brio-r 2012 and it was lean sounding! Any suggestion to mostly listen to Classic Rock & Heavy Metal? Best Regards!
Thanks Ricardo. Please hop over to www.audioadvice.com and chat with one of our audio experts. Thanks for watching
Although tube design hasn't changed that much so vintage tubes reconditioned can be in or near hi end sound while the list is below this.
What is a speaker easy to push?
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for some options. Thanks for watching
I'm confused. According to some "rumors", are receivers themselves (even 2 channel receivers) slowly going away?
David- stereo receivers do seem to be fading away, there are very few on the market, Cambridge actually makes some very good ones. Integrated amps which are basically a receiver without the tuner are becoming very popular. Thanks for watching!
Based on today's listening habit, I switch between digital streaming and LP with a dash of Netflix on TV thrown in.
Besides a KEF LS wireless, and combo like Monitor Audio 100 x Audiolab 6000a, what other combo would accommodate aforementioned habits? Would be great if you can do a comparison of gear combo under say $1500? 🙏
Thanks for the idea, we might try and do that. Your best bet for that use case would be an amp with optical in for your TV, a phono input, and a streamer built in. None of these have all of that unfortunately. The Fives from Klipsch are also an option. Thanks for watchimg
For the Brio it was mentioned that the volume knob is jerky in how it responds to the remote. Is it the same case with the io? Setting the volume precisely with the remote is an important criteria for me, something I’ve not been able to do with my peachtree nova.
It is similar, you are better to use the physical knob. You can not beat the sound of the io for the $$.
If you already have an outboard DAC, then the Rega Brio is a no-brainer.
Thanks for sharing!
Would the AXA35 drive a pair of Wharfdale Lintons? I'll probably upgrade to the CX range later on.
In a small room, it should be good. The Linton is fairly sensitive at 90 dB. Thanks for watching
It has enough power for dentons 80th anniversary, however I don’t get the extra oomph or the clarity that I could get with my previous Yamaha av receiver. If you get axa35 stick with forward and very sensitive speakers.
i need a video on best integrated amps under 2k i want to spend around 1500, 1600 i was looking naim,atoll,rotel...
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for the best advice in that price range. Thanks for watching
Good amp carries less buttons and sound tuning functions.
Simple is the best.
We agree. Simplicity through beautiful design creates not only a better user experience but better experience sonically as well. Thanks for watching.
Crystal. Thanks!
Audiolab 6000a?
What country are these all made in?
The Rega units are made in the UK, the others in Asia. Thanks for watching
Prices? No review has any interest if there isn't price in it
With prices being so fluid we stopped putting them into our videos about 2 years ago. You can just link to the written article that has a link in the description that will take you to the page on our site that will show current prices for each one.
Cambridge audio should make 45 watts amplifier for people who are unable to buy expensive ones it will take on marantz pm 6007
Like this one? www.audioadvice.com/home-audio/components/integrated-amps/cambridge-audio-axa35-35w-integrated-amplifier Thanks for watching
Loved the review but a bit surprised that the high end review didn't include the Rotel A12. Seemed much more like the CXA61 then the Rega or is the sound of the Rotel significantly not as good as the others?
Ken- good point, we felt it was too close in price to the Tribute to include, but is also a great amp under 1k. Thanks for watching!
@@AudioAdvice WOW! What do you sell the A12 for? At Crutchfield, it is $.99 more then the CXA61
@@kenmastro1171 www.audioadvice.com/rotel-a-12-integrated-stereo-amplifier-astock