Yamaha A-S501 Stereo Amplifier (Black)Special Price $849.00 (Normally Regular Price $999.00 )
Yamaha A-S701 Stereo Amplifier (Black)Special Price $1,195.00 (Normally Regular Price $1,495.00 )
LEAK Stereo 130 Stereo AmplifierSpecial Price $1,598.00 (Normally Regular Price $2,049.00 )
Cambridge Audio 851A Stereo AmplifierSpecial Price $3,099.00 (Normally Regular Price $3,199.00 )
Stereo Amplifiers
Stereo Amplifiers have formed the backbone of music listening in the home since the day they were invented in the first half of last century. Their function is to take the signal from your music source, such as a turntable or music streamer, and amplify it to power your speakers. They can range from as little as 10 Watts per channel to many hundreds of Watts depending on your room size, speakers and listening habits. Volume level adjustment, usually by the use of a remote control from the luxury of your favourite chair, allows you to listen at whatever level you find comfortable.
The first amplifiers were, naturally, valve based because that was the amplification device of the time. Eventually the transistor was invented and, due to it’s versatility and relative lack of maintenance, gradually took over from the valve. These days both exist harmoniously together however we would estimate more than 95% of amplifiers on the market are transistor with less than 5% valve amps being used by the faithful.
For most of the stereo amplifier's existence it has been an analogue only affair with only two types of inputs. Line level inputs have typically catered for open reel tape decks, cassette decks and tuners with CD players being added to the repertoire in the 1980’s. The other type of input has been for turntables, with many amplifiers offering a moving magnet phono input and a few also offering a moving coil phono input.
Latterly however the selection of inputs on a stereo amplifier has grown exponentially. You can now find digital inputs such as toslink optical, coaxial, USB A, USB B and AES/EBU. There can also be Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections as well as Bluetooth, Airplay 2 & Chromecast to add to the mix of available options. Throughout all of these advancements a few loyal facilities have remained available on many amps including bass, treble and balance, A/B speaker selection and of course the headphone socket for those times when private listening is required.
Here at Audio Trends we have a very fine selection of the best amplifiers available today from top brands such as Audiolab, Cambridge Audio, Cayin, Denon, Marantz, NAD, Naim, Parasound, Quad, Rega, Rotel & Yamaha. Be sure to browse our collection and please contact us for advice.