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Willie Greer
We know an integrated amplifier is a unit with both a preamp and a power amp, but do they all perform accordingly? With so many products out there, it’s very easy to end up with an unsatisfactory product. Our sound engineers have dedicated their time to help you avoid this issue with the best integrated amplifiers under 2000.
- Phono input
- Low distortion
- Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules
- Double-shielded transformer
- MM phono
- PowerDrive circuitry
- RIAA equalization
- Infrasonic filter
- Small and compact
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Bass and treble control
- Low total harmonic distortion
Reviews of the Top Integrated Amplifiers Under $2000
NAD C 316BEE
The NAD C 316BEE is an integrated amp with a phono stage and PowerDrive circuitry. You can rely on this handy device to produce the best sound quality with a very sophisticated and advanced design. The result is a very low total harmonic distortion that may not be offered by other integrated amps.
There are 5 line inputs on the NAD integrated amp and a large toroidal power transformer to handle the heavy lifting. The NAD integrated amplifier promises 40 watts of continuous RMS power with a dynamic power rating of 100 watts.
The simple design is eye-pleasing and the amp comes with a 30-day return period.
What We Like
- Large toroidal power transformer
- MM phono input
- Full IR remote
- Detailed and refined sound
- Sufficient power output
- 5 line level inputs
- PowerDrive circuitry
What We Don’t Like
- No EQ jacks
- Small indicator lights
Marantz PM8006
Closer to our price limit, the Marantz PM8006, a power amp plus phono preamp that lowers distortion and improves audio clarity. You will get detailed sound with two-stage amplification.
There is even a headphone output so you can enjoy all your entertainment content without disturbing others.
You can choose to connect a larger amp for more power or incorporate the integrated amplifier directly into your sound system. The Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules within the amp plus the electric volume circuit are the high-quality components audio lovers need in the best amplifiers.
What We Like
- Phono EQ for vinyl playback
- Great sound with Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules
- Electric volume control
- 2-stage amplification
- Optimum performance with triple layer bottom plate
- Double-shielded toroidal transformer
- Gold-plated inputs and outputs
- Can handle wide bandwidth and low impedance
What We Don’t Like
- 86dB sensitivity
- Not the most powerful stereo amplifier
Fosi Audio BT30D
For the price and for the size, you can’t get better than the Fosi Audio BT30D. It’s the best integrated amplifier under 2000 for those who need to conserve space. Even with the budget price, the BT30D supports the entire human audible frequency range with a THD of only 0.04% and a signal to noise ratio of 98dB.
The front control panel has subwoofer volume and frequency controls with many connections. The BT30D also has wireless connectivity in the form of Bluetooth 5.0 and a built-in power protection circuit in the DC adapter.
What We Like
- Dynamic sound
- Treble and bass control
- Subwoofer volume control
- Low THD
- 98dB SNR
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Small and compact
What We Don’t Like
- No connection smart switching
- No remote control
Cambridge Audio AXA25
Next up is the Cambridge Audio AXA25, an integrated amp that features a sleek and beautiful design that features agile sound delivery. There are only the best quality components under the hood such as a high spec heat sink, and damped power supply.
You can turn the Cambridge Audio AXA25 into a wireless unit using the USB input to connect a Bluetooth device or Google Chromecast Audio.
You have bass, treble, and balance controls on the front panel plus a very large volume control knob for easy setting at 25 watts per channel.
What We Like
- USB input port
- Cambridge Audio build quality
- Analog inputs
- Short signal paths
- High spec heat sink
- Damped power supply
What We Don’t Like
- No remote
- Doesn’t have a manual
Yamaha A-S801BL
The best integrated amplifier under 2000 for natural sound is the Yamaha A-S801BL. There are digital inputs and optical inputs on these devices that make it easier to hook them up to your sound systems.
To make sure you get the most out of your integrated power amplifier, the A-S801BL has extruded aluminum heat sinks to help with heat dissipation. There is a subwoofer output to help with the bass your home system has been missing. It’s a great amplifier to opt for in terms of bass management and handling demanding speakers.
What We Like
- Selectable speaker terminals for two systems
- Strong chassis
- Aluminum heat sinks
- PCM audio data up to 32 bits
- 2 direct signal path speaker relays
- USB DAC for direct connection to PC
- Tone controls
- Remote
- Connection for Bluetooth adapter
- Auto power standby
What We Don’t Like
- The control knobs are not very visible on the black units
- Small remote buttons
Integrated Amplifiers Under $2000 Buyer’s Guide
What does it take to be considered one of the best integrated amplifiers under 2000? Our sonic experts are here to tell you with a very quick guide that condenses everything you need to know.
Power
The power of your integrated amplifier is best measured in RMS, or continuous power. You may also have a total power output, which depending on how many channels you have, is the total combined power from all the channels.
Pay attention to the WPC or watts per channel. This will depict just how much power you are getting to each device you connect.
Our professional team says the power will impact the sound quality because it is essentially how loud your system can be. The best integrated amps will have a WPC of around 40 watts or more.
Sound Delivery
An integrated amplifier is a hybrid of two crucial parts – the power amplifier and the preamp. The first part is responsible for generating the power, or wattage, that your speakers need to perform. The latter part is the one that receives the inputs from your audio source.
The preamp is the key to giving users control over the tone and balance settings and for switching between wired and wireless sources.
Our experts prefer the audio delivery from the integrated amps because they are technologically more sophisticated for the most part, but how do they compare to other amps and receivers?
The biggest difference between an integrated amp and a receiver is the lack of an AM/FM [1] tuner. As for the integrated amp compared to each of its dedicated parts, audiophiles may prefer them to be separate. A separate amp and preamp setup delivers cleaner sound in general.
There are downsides, of course, and one of them is the required space. Having two units instead of one consolidated device will definitely take up more room. Many integrated amps will include a preamp output that allows you to connect your device to another stereo amplifier/power amp for even more output power.
Technology
The technology within your integrated amp will differ from brand to model. You may find ones with output transistors for that extra boost, and output stages that will lower signal distortion. Stereo separation capabilities will also help clarify your audio content.
Two very important technologies to look for in the top integrated amplifier under 2000 are heat sinks when applicable and protection circuitry.
Heat sinks are responsible for controlling the inevitable high temperatures generated from long hours of use. The protection circuitry will protect your integrated amp and the rest of your system from surges and other sudden voltage issues.
Controls
What sort of controls are offered on your amp? The more autonomy the device affords users over the audio settings the better. Our audio team stresses the importance of control knobs situated on the front panel that are clearly labeled.
The most basic controls are EQ settings and volume control. You can find these control knobs on the front of the amps along with a power button.
Ports and Connectivity
The ports and connectivity are where things get a little more complicated. You may have digital and analog inputs plus wireless connections. Analog features are important for devices such as a CD player or cassette deck. You also need phono analog inputs for turntables if you’re looking to entertain.
Most modern-day integrated amps have digital input ports and some have old-school analog, but the NAD models can come with only analog so our experts urge readers to keep that in mind.
Digital inputs for digital audio signals can encompass an asynchronous USB input for your computer and audio files, as well as Toslink and coaxial. You may also find HDMI inputs to connect your device directly to your TV.
As for wireless options, you will most often see Bluetooth. If you do, our sound engineers suggest going for Bluetooth 5.0 as it is currently the latest technology and also supports distances up to 50 feet.
You may also see Wi-Fi, which allows connection to your home network and for you to enjoy streaming on platforms such as Spotify and access to online internet radio.
You should also look at the outputs on your integrated amp. The most common ones include a headphone jack, which can connect to headphones so you can listen to elevated audio without disturbing others.
There may also be a subwoofer output to accommodate a subwoofer and a preamp output can give you the opportunity to hook up another power amp to your system.
(Finding the ideal device to convert digital signals into analog one? Well, here are the best DACs available on the market today)
Remote Control
Some units can come with a remote while others do not. To be perfectly honest, our sound engineers say the remote is all personal preference.
Do you want another remote on top of all the other ones you may already have? Other people prefer being able to control the amp without having to move from their seats.
The control knobs are all prominent on most designs, so again, the remote is largely a bonus. If you do decide on a device that comes with one, make sure the buttons are large and clearly labeled and the design is intuitive.
Our Top Pick For an Integrated Amplifier Under $2000:
NAD C 316BEE
Our top suggestion for an integrated amp within 2000 is the NAD C 316BEE. It comes with phono for more connection options with improved power efficiency. The PowerDrive circuit is the brand’s proprietary technology that combines power and current drive. The simple design makes it easy for beginners to set up with enough bells and whistles to impress the experts.
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