I’m a pretty lazy listener, which is why I love modern streaming amps. These amps have controls for Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and other streaming services built right into their easy-to-use interfaces. Streaming amps have gotten really great in the past few years. It used to be that anything with an internet connection sounded terrible, but that’s not the case with the latest models. My favorite high-end products right now are Cambridge Audio Evo 150 ($2,999) and Naim Uniti Atom ($3,799)Both have gorgeous color displays and some of the best fidelity (and the coolest buttons) I’ve ever experienced. Both work with every major streaming service imaginable, and you can connect to them via Bluetooth, too.
A good step down option is Yamaha R-N1000A ($1,800) stereo network receiver. It’s equipped with high-end components like the SABRE ES9090Q DAC for high-resolution digital audio and enough A/B amplification to power almost any pair of speakers in your arsenal. Equally important, it delivers rock solid performance and plenty of connectivity options, from tons of streaming services and internet radio to a turntable input and HDMI ARC for connecting to your TV. The retro design, which ditches a color display for a slim digital display beneath tactile control knobs, evokes nostalgia while still delivering great sound quality.
If you don’t have that kind of money, I highly recommend looking at the Canadian brand NAD. Its amplifiers, like NAD C 316 V2 ($399) They’re not the most flashy, but they sound great for the money. Like the Yamaha above, the C 316 even comes with an onboard phono channel so you can hook up a record player—a nice touch, since NAD’s model doesn’t have built-in streaming. If you want to stream, you can find a dongle to hook up your phone to it.
Vinyl is backside! And turntables are more fun—and sound better—than ever. If you’re looking for an audiophile-quality starter kit, I’d consider options like Pro-Ject T1 Projector ($499) or Introducing the Carbon Evo ($599)). At a higher level, we like Rega Planar 2 ($775)has a slightly more open and dynamic sound, and U-Turn Orbital Theory ($999)that sounds great thanks to additional parts such as a custom-made magnesium lever arm, which helps secure the needle to the groove.
If you have one classic stereoIt likely has a built-in phono preamp, meaning you can plug it straight into your turntable and listen straight away. But if you have a modern stereo, you may need to buy a dedicated phono preamp to play your records through your headphones or speakers. Check both your turntable and your stereo, as settings vary, and some turntables have built-in phono preamps that you can activate with the flip of a switch. However, while some built-in options, like the one inside the Orbit Theory above, work well, others may not sound as good as you’d like.
