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THE BEST STEREO AMPLIFIERS AND RECEIVERS UNDER $300 Updated March 4, 2025 By Brent Butterworth Brent Butterworth is a writer dedicated to audio gear. He has been reviewing speakers and other

audio products for more than 30 years. Whether you’re building a stereo audio system with a brand-new pair of bookshelf speakers or an old set salvaged from a relative’s attic, you need a

stereo amplifier to power them. Stereo amps come in several configurations, with different names attached. This guide covers affordable integrated amps and receivers priced under $300.

Though the connection options, features, and forms vary for these amps, our tests confirmed that all of our recommendations here have the power to effectively drive a typical set of

bookshelf speakers to satisfying levels. WHICH AMP DO YOU NEED? ------------------------- * Integrated amplifier Ideal if you have multiple sources, such as a disc player, turntable, TV, and

Bluetooth source—and need enough power to play loud. * Stereo mini amp Perfect for places where space is at a premium, sources are limited, and high power is unnecessary, such as bedrooms

and offices. * Wi-Fi integrated amp A good choice for enjoying maximum sound quality or playing audio in multiple rooms, without the need to buy an extra streaming component. * Stereo

receiver Great if you’re using multiple sources and also want FM radio, or if your setup needs even more power than most integrated amps offer. TOP PICK DAYTON AUDIO HTA100 THE BEST

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER UNDER $300 This integrated amp has everything one could want in an affordable stereo amp: solid power, loads of features, and outstanding looks. But its distinctive

appearance may not appeal to everyone. An integrated amplifier combines a stereo amplifier to power your speakers with a preamplifier to process incoming audio signals and control volume. In

this category we love the Dayton Audio HTA100 because it has plenty of power for most speakers, and it’s packed with features, including three different digital inputs, an analog input, a

separate phono input to connect a turntable, Bluetooth for wireless streaming, and a subwoofer output. The HTA100’s glowing preamp tubes and signal meters make it the best-looking amp we’ve

ever tested, too, but its eye-catching aesthetic may not appeal to everyone. TOP PICK FOSI AUDIO BT20A PRO THE BEST STEREO MINI AMP This tiny integrated amp packs solid power and performance

for its size, and unlike most mini amps, it looks nice enough to use in a living room. It supports Bluetooth but has just one audio input. If you’re looking for an integrated amplifier

that’s smaller and more visually discreet, the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro mini amp provides impressive power—enough to drive large tower speakers. It also rises above the science-project look of

most mini amps, thanks to its brushed-metallic finish, fastener-free front panel, and bronze-colored volume knob. But its connections are limited to Bluetooth, one analog input, and a line

output for connecting a subwoofer. TOP PICK WIIM AMP THE BEST WI-FI–EQUIPPED STEREO AMP This stereo integrated amp adds Wi-Fi streaming to deliver potentially better sound than you can get

over Bluetooth, plus an HDMI ARC port and subwoofer output. But the front-panel design is almost too simplistic. If you prefer to wirelessly stream audio over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, or

if you want to use your stereo system with your TV, the WiiM Amp is our recommendation. This integrated amp has good power output and works in conjunction with the WiiM Home app to stream

audio over a Wi-Fi network (similar to how a network music streamer operates). Wi-Fi streaming can sound better than Bluetooth streaming, and you can play the same audio through multiple

WiiM devices. The amp is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Assistant systems. Besides Wi-Fi support, the full-featured WiiM Amp includes Bluetooth, USB, and

optical digital audio inputs, an analog line input, and an HDMI ARC port that makes it easy to use this amp as part of a TV sound system. You’ll also find a subwoofer output with adjustable

level and crossover frequency. We like the simple, stylish design, but we wish the front panel had more than a volume knob and play/pause button. For anything else, you have to use the

supplied remote or the app. TOP PICK SONY STR-DH190 THE BEST STEREO RECEIVER This stereo receiver delivers a lot of power for its price, and it has more connection options than integrated

amps, including a phono input to connect a turntable. Few stereo receivers are available these days, and it’s been a long while since we’ve seen a new, affordable model introduced—which is

why the Sony STR-DH190 has remained our top recommendation for several years. The STR-DH190 sounds as good as any other stereo receiver we’ve tested under $200, and it has the features we

consider most important: Bluetooth support, a phono preamp for a turntable, an FM radio tuner, and plenty of power. On the downside, it uses relatively flimsy spring clips for speaker-cable

connection, and the FM antenna uses a proprietary connector, so swapping in a different antenna, if you wish to, is harder. WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US I’m a senior staff writer at Wirecutter

covering audio. I’ve been reviewing audio products professionally since 1990, for publications such as Home Theater, Sound & Vision, SoundStage and AudioXpress. I’ve been doing lab

measurements on amplifiers since 1997, and have probably conducted more brand-concealed listening tests of amplifiers than any other journalist alive today. I’m also a longtime member of the

Audio Engineering Society, which gives me access to almost all of the research papers on amplifiers ever published. For this guide: * We’ve tested a total of 30 amplifiers and receivers to

date. For the most recent updates to this guide, I spent 30 hours testing 10 new models. * I spent at least a few days using each amplifier in my home system to gauge the usefulness of its

features and the ergonomics of its controls. * I conducted laboratory measurements of all the products to confirm their performance and specifications, and uncover any design flaws and

potential technical limitations. * Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my

editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards. WHO THIS IS FOR A stereo amplifier or receiver is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to build a music system

that’s better than the all-in-one wireless speakers that now dominate home audio. Combine one of these components with a pair of bookshelf speakers or outdoor speakers, and you can create a

great-sounding audio system for well under $1,000. If you’re looking for an even simpler setup with fewer components, consider a set of powered bookshelf speakers or computer speakers that

have the amplifiers built in, so all you need to do is connect or stream an audio source to them. HOW WE PICKED AND TESTED In this guide we cover two general categories of stereo amplifiers:

* STEREO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER: This type combines a preamp (including a volume control and, usually, a source selector) with a power amplifier that can drive a pair of passive speakers. Not

every stereo amplifier is an integrated amp—if you can connect a source directly to it (wired or wirelessly), it’s integrated. * STEREO RECEIVER: This kind of device is the same thing as

the above, with the addition of a radio tuner. Most stereo receivers are larger than typical integrated amps and have more inputs, so they’re a good choice if you have lots of source devices

to connect. We don’t include traditional stereo power amplifiers in this guide. Those amps require the use of a separate preamp for volume control and source selection. Most are

considerably more expensive than the devices we cover here and are intended for serious audio enthusiasts who probably already have preferences for certain brands and technologies.

Introductions of new stereo receivers are rare these days, probably because many home listeners have abandoned terrestrial radio and switched to streaming. But inexpensive stereo integrated

amps are now available under a wide and seemingly ever-changing array of brand names, with new marques and models popping up like mushrooms after a winter rainstorm. Rather than attempt a

comprehensive test of everything that’s currently available, we selected what we perceived to be the most interesting and promising models. We decided which amps and receivers to test based

on the following criteria: * PRICE: We set a rough limit of $300. Above that price, we would have been getting more into amplifiers and receivers designed for audio enthusiasts, who may have

technical demands and brand preferences that go beyond the scope of a guide like this. * POWER RATING: This is the first spec most people consider when buying an amp or receiver. We

considered amps of all power ratings because our previous tests showed that even those models with the weakest power ratings were adequate for typical home listening levels. * CONNECTION

OPTIONS: All the models we tested for our latest update let you stream via Bluetooth and connect old-school analog-output audio devices such as turntables (although you may have to add a

phono preamp), cassette decks, and CD players. You can also connect more modern devices such as an Amazon Echo Dot or a Wi-Fi streamer. Many amps add digital inputs for use with TV sets,

computers, and CD players, and some include Wi-Fi streaming support. * SUBWOOFER LINE OUTPUT: This feature makes it much easier for you to add more bass by connecting a powered subwoofer to

your system—an appealing idea, considering that some of these amps aren’t powerful enough to produce much deep bass. In most cases, this is a full-range output, which means your speakers

still get the same amount of bass if you connect a subwoofer, and that can cause smaller speakers to distort the sound. However, a couple of amps we tested incorporate a crossover that can

filter the bass out of the main speakers for lower distortion and smoother, more even bass response. * DESIGN: While we did test some inexpensive models that had a rather industrial look, we

favored amps that would look nice on a living room bookshelf. We’ve evaluated a total of 30 amplifiers for this guide. For our latest listening tests, we paired each amp with a set of

Triangle Audio Borea BR03 speakers, the top pick in our bookshelf speaker guide. During our listening and usage tests, we judged the stereo amps and receivers on the following

characteristics: * How natural is the sound on vocals? On instruments? * How loud can the amp play music without producing distortion? * Can the amp reproduce clear, powerful bass when

playing bass-heavy hip-hop, rock, and R&B? * If the amp has any unusual features, how well do they work and how useful are they? * How well does the Bluetooth connection work? Does it

readily reconnect once disconnected? * For amps with Wi-Fi, how easy is it to connect them to a network, and how easy is it to access streaming services and content stored on a phone or

tablet? It’s common to see reviewers wax eloquently about the differences in sound among amplifiers, but research spanning more than four decades has shown that these differences almost

always disappear once the identities of the models being evaluated are concealed. However, to our knowledge, all of those tests involved relatively high-quality amplifiers with no serious

shortcomings. Most of the affordable amps we’ve tested make engineering compromises that might cause a problem in certain situations—such as if they’re used with speakers that have large

woofers capable of producing deep bass, or if the speakers have a low sensitivity rating. We’ve found that lab measurements reveal such problems far more readily than listening tests do. So

in addition to listening tests, we also measured the amps’ power output into 8 ohms (representing a typical speaker) and 4 ohms (representing a more demanding speaker, or a pair of 8-ohm

speakers connected to the same amp channel). We also measured the maximum power at 1 kHz (a frequency in the middle of the human voice range) and at 20 Hz (generally considered the lowest

audible bass tone, and the most challenging for amps to handle). For all tests, we measured the maximum RMS (root mean square, a type of averaging) power, rather than the peak power that

many manufacturers specify, because RMS is a more demanding and meaningful test. All the power results we give in this guide are per-channel, with both channels driven. You can see the full

results of our measurements in this spreadsheet. The chart below shows the price versus the maximum power output of our top picks at 1% total harmonic distortion (THD), which is generally

considered the maximum allowable amount of distortion for an amplifier. POWER OUTPUT VS. PRICE BEST INTEGRATED AMP UNDER $300: DAYTON AUDIO HTA100 TOP PICK DAYTON AUDIO HTA100 THE BEST

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER UNDER $300 This integrated amp has everything one could want in an affordable stereo amp: solid power, loads of features, and outstanding looks. But its distinctive

appearance may not appeal to everyone. Whereas most integrated amps priced below $300 make significant compromises in performance and features compared with more expensive,

enthusiast-oriented models, the Dayton Audio HTA100 is a fully capable stereo amp with no troublesome flaws and all the connection options we want. IT PERFORMS AMAZINGLY WELL FOR THE PRICE.

When we cranked up Audrey Nuna’s bass-heavy hit “damn Right” (video), the HTA100 produced plenty of deep-bass punch without distorting. Yet it also reproduced audiophile favorites such as

Holly Cole’s version of “Train Song” (video) with plenty of detail and spaciousness. If you don’t like what you hear, the HTA100 has bass and treble controls that should let you adjust the

sound more to your liking. From a technical standpoint, the HTA100 is one of the best integrated amps we’ve measured for this guide. Its tested power output was ample: 50.1 watts RMS into 8

ohms and 101.8 watts RMS into 4 ohms. A hallmark of high-end amps is the ability to deliver double the power into 4 ohms, so these results are a remarkable achievement for an amp at this

price. In our tests, the HTA100’s frequency response wasn’t perfect, but its errors—an almost imperceptible bass boost of 1.2 decibels centered at 64 Hz and an even less audible boost of 0.9

dB at 19 kHz—were slight. IT HAS LOADS OF INPUTS. In addition to Bluetooth support, the HTA100 includes USB, optical, and coaxial digital inputs, as well as a line-level analog input and a

phono input for use with a turntable. It also has a full-range subwoofer output and a quarter-inch headphone jack. You can easily access all of the inputs via dedicated push buttons on the

front panel. IT LOOKS EXTREMELY COOL. Surely you noticed the tubes. The HTA100 is a “hybrid” design that uses tubes in the preamp section and a transistor-based amp stage to do the tough

work of driving the speakers. Tubes have a reputation for producing mellower sound, but in our tests the HTA100 didn’t have a significantly different tone from the other amps we evaluated.

On this model, the tubes are mostly there for looks. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the HTA100 is that it looks and feels as well built as typical audiophile integrated amps costing

several times as much. The glowing tubes and pulsing meters lend a cool retro vibe, and the curved edges add sophistication. The jacks and knobs are all well aligned, and the silk-screening

isn’t sloppy or spotty. FLAWS BUT NOT DEALBREAKERS BASS-HEADS MAY WANT MORE POWER. If you have big speakers with woofers measuring 10 inches or larger, you might want to spend more for an

amp with output of at least 100 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms (as measured by a reputable review publication; don’t trust the manufacturer’s specs). Dayton Audio also offers the

twice-as-powerful HTA200, but we haven’t tested it. THE TUBES WILL EVENTUALLY WEAR OUT. They should last several years, though. As of the most recent update of this guide, replacing the two

6U1 tubes and two 6F2 tubes costs a little less than $20. THE HTA100 DOESN’T SUPPORT BETTER BLUETOOTH AUDIO CODECS LIKE APTX HD OR AAC. However, the differences among Bluetooth codecs are

subtle, and you can always add a dedicated Wi-Fi streamer to avoid Bluetooth’s slight sonic degradation. BEST STEREO MINI AMP: FOSI AUDIO BT20A PRO TOP PICK FOSI AUDIO BT20A PRO THE BEST

STEREO MINI AMP This tiny integrated amp packs solid power and performance for its size, and unlike most mini amps, it looks nice enough to use in a living room. It supports Bluetooth but

has just one audio input. If you want a small, simple, affordable integrated amp with lots of power, the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro is your best choice. It’s a new version of our previous pick,

the still-available BT20A, that offers nicer cosmetics and slightly improved performance for only about $20 more. IT HAS LOTS OF POWER FOR ITS SIZE. While Fosi Audio’s claimed spec of 300

watts per channel into 4 ohms left us rolling our eyes, in our tests the BT20A Pro did produce more power than most mini amps we’ve evaluated: 44 watts RMS into 8 ohms, and 77.3 watts RMS

into 4 ohms. You can be confident that it’ll drive everything from high-quality audiophile speakers to whatever “mystery speakers” might catch your eye at a garage sale. The BT20A Pro has a

flatter frequency response than most of the amps we’ve tested. In our measurements, it drooped a little in the lowest and highest ranges of audio, -0.6 dB at 20 Hz and -0.4 dB at 20 kHz. But

that sort of flaw is barely, if at all, audible. The amp also has bass and treble controls, and unlike on the older BT20A, on the Pro version the knobs have center detents so that you can

easily return them to the “0” (or flat) setting. FOR A MINI AMP, IT LOOKS GREAT. Most mini amps look like something bolted together out of parts scavenged from an electronics-store

liquidation sale. But with its fastener-free front panel and bronze-colored volume knob, the BT20A Pro wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury living room. It’s only 4.2 inches wide, so it

should fit easily on a shelf. IT HAS ENOUGH CONNECTIONS FOR A SIMPLE SYSTEM. The BT20A Pro has built-in Bluetooth and includes support for the AAC codec, which can in some cases give you

subtly better sound quality when you use it with Apple devices. It has just one analog audio input, which is common at this price, plus a 3.5 mm output jack that you can use to feed a

subwoofer. FLAWS BUT NOT DEALBREAKERS IT HAS ONLY ONE ANALOG INPUT. You can connect one analog-output source and one Bluetooth device, and that’s it. If you need more inputs, you’re probably

better off upgrading to something like the Dayton Audio HTA100 or the Aiyima D05. IT OFFERS ZERO COOL FACTOR. The BT20A Pro is just a box with some knobs on the front. It has no level

meters, no glowing tubes, no front display, and nothing else to occupy your eyes while you’re enjoying the sound. BEST WI-FI STEREO AMP: WIIM AMP TOP PICK WIIM AMP THE BEST WI-FI–EQUIPPED

STEREO AMP This stereo integrated amp adds Wi-Fi streaming to deliver potentially better sound than you can get over Bluetooth, plus an HDMI ARC port and subwoofer output. But the

front-panel design is almost too simplistic. The WiiM Amp is the integrated amp to get if you want to stream audio over Wi-Fi without having to add an external streamer, or if you want to

use your system for TV sound. WI-FI GIVES YOU BETTER SOUND AND DOES MORE. Wi-Fi streaming results in subtly better sound quality than Bluetooth can offer since the signal doesn’t require

compression. It also lets you play the same audio on multiple systems in different rooms. The WiiM Amp uses an app (Android and iOS, with MacOS and Windows versions available in beta) for

Wi-Fi streaming and control functions. At last count this app accessed 17 streaming services, including Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Qobuz, Spotify, Tidal, and TuneIn. The same app

also controls other WiiM devices in a system, such as the Pro Plus. The WiiM Amp is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast—so, for example, you can play

the same audio on the WiiM Amp and a couple of Amazon Echo speakers. THIS AMP INCLUDES LOTS OF INPUTS AND USEFUL FEATURES. The WiiM Amp is the least-expensive amp we’ve found that has an

HDMI ARC port, which connects to a TV and allows the TV remote to control the amp’s volume. We found this feature extremely useful, and it makes the WiiM Amp a viable alternative to a

soundbar. The amp and a pair of good speakers can’t deliver the wraparound sound and powerful bass of a good soundbar, but they’re likely to sound better with music. The WiiM Amp also has

Bluetooth support (just the standard SBC variety, no AAC, aptX, or the like), as well as USB and optical digital audio inputs and a line-level analog input. Like many mini amps, the WiiM Amp

has a subwoofer output, but this one has an adjustable crossover that routes the bass into the subwoofer (and out of the main speakers) at any frequency from 30 Hz to 250 Hz, and it allows

you to adjust the phase and volume of the subwoofer from the app. Because the bass is filtered out of the main speakers, they play louder with less distortion. The WiiM Amp comes with a

small remote that lets you adjust volume and control play/pause and track-skip functions for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sources. The remote has a built-in microphone as well, so you can access

Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant voice-command systems. IT PERFORMS WELL. Our measurements showed that, at 1% total harmonic distortion with a 1 kHz signal, the WiiM Amp

produced 65.6 watts into 8 ohms and 130.9 watts into 4 ohms—both are impressive numbers for an amp of this size and price. The distortion is higher in the bass—at 20 Hz, distortion rises to

7.3% at 65.6 watts into 8 ohms—but because bass distortion is much less audible, it’s doubtful you’d notice this effect, and most people wouldn’t use such a small amp with big, bassy

speakers in the first place. The frequency response was mostly flat, with a bass dip of -0.4 dB at 20 Hz and a treble boost of +0.7 dB at 20 kHz, neither of which would make an audible

difference. Unlike some subwoofer crossovers in inexpensive amps we’ve tested, this one works perfectly, reducing the bass and midrange/treble at about -15 dB per octave—enough to keep your

main speakers from distorting and voices from coming out of your subwoofer. THE DESIGN DOESN’T LOOK CHEAP. The WiiM Amp’s simple, sleek styling doesn’t draw attention to itself. At just 7.5

inches wide and 2.5 inches high, it can slip into small spaces, and its efficient, Class D circuitry needs only a bit of ventilation. It’s available in silver or gray. The amp also has a

detachable, generic AC power cord rather than a separate power supply, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing the power supply. FLAWS BUT NOT DEALBREAKERS WE WISH IT HAD MORE CONTROLS

ON THE FRONT PANEL. There you’ll find only a volume knob and a play/pause button; to change inputs, you have to use the remote or the app. IT OFFERS ONLY GARDEN-VARIETY BLUETOOTH. The WiiM

Amp supports the standard SBC codec and nothing more—no AAC, aptX, or LDAC. As we’ve noted, we don’t consider upgraded codecs to be an important addition to a device like this, but some

audiophiles do. THE WIIM APP DOESN’T DIRECTLY SUPPORT APPLE MUSIC OR YOUTUBE MUSIC. You can, however, stream to the amp directly from those services’ apps. BEST STEREO RECEIVER: SONY

STR-DH190 TOP PICK SONY STR-DH190 THE BEST STEREO RECEIVER This stereo receiver delivers a lot of power for its price, and it has more connection options than integrated amps, including a

phono input to connect a turntable. We picked the Sony STR-DH190 as the best stereo receiver because it offers the best mix of features, sound quality, simplicity, and affordability. With

Bluetooth and a phono preamp on board, plus a front-panel analog input for portable devices, the STR-DH190 is a good fit whether you’re embracing the future or reveling in retro. ITS POWER

OUTPUT IS SUBSTANTIAL. We measured 116.4 watts RMS into 8 ohms and 159 watts into a 4-ohm load. This means the STR-DH190 has enough power to drive almost any pair of speakers to very loud

volumes. Its sound quality is equal to that of anything else we’ve tried under $200, although it did make voices sound slightly harsh and congested compared with the pricier Yamaha R-N303.

THIS RECEIVER HAS SOME FEATURES THAT INTEGRATED AMPS MOSTLY LACK. Of course, it has an FM radio tuner, and it gives you a phono input for a turntable, plus several additional analog inputs.

Also included is a friendly, easy-to-use remote—a luxury that most of our integrated-amp picks don’t offer. And you can connect two sets of speakers and switch between them. ITS BLUETOOTH

CAPABILITIES ARE BETTER THAN WE EXPECTED. The STR-DH190 includes AAC capability for Bluetooth, so it may produce slightly better sound quality when you use it with iPhones and iPads and the

Apple Music service (or any other streaming service that uses AAC). Plus, this receiver automatically powers up when you select it from your Bluetooth source’s menu. FLAWS BUT NOT

DEALBREAKERS IT’S NOT THE BEST CHOICE FOR BASS FANS. A bass limiter circuit kicks in at about 10 watts, reducing bass output by about 1 dB. That’s a barely noticeable difference, but as a

result the bass may sound subtly thinner when you crank the system up to loud levels. SOME OF ITS CONNECTORS ARE SUBPAR. The STR-DH190 also has relatively flimsy spring clips for

speaker-cable connection, so the cables can come loose easily. And because its FM antenna uses a proprietary connector, attaching a better antenna is difficult. Also, there’s no AM-radio

tuner and no subwoofer output. OTHER STEREO AMPS AND RECEIVERS WORTH CONSIDERING IF YOU WANT A MORE FULL-FEATURED RECEIVER THAN THE SONY STR-DH190 AND ARE WILLING TO PAY SLIGHTLY MORE: The

Yamaha R-N303 sounded subtly better than the Sony STR-DH190 in our tests, and it adds Wi-Fi streaming and digital audio inputs. The R-N303 is compatible with Yamaha’s MusicCast system, a

Wi-Fi streaming technology similar to that of many multiroom audio systems, and it works with Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast. Theoretically, it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google

Home, but we found the setup for those extremely difficult, and the benefits minimal. In our tests, its power output was similar to that of the STR-DH190, except the R-N303 did not reduce

bass output at higher power levels as the Sony model did. IF YOU WANT AN INEXPENSIVE AMP WITH MORE FEATURES: The Aiyima D05 costs a little more than the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro and offers

similar performance, but it has a more extensive feature set. It includes USB, coaxial, and optical digital audio inputs; a front display that shows volume and selected input; and a remote

that controls volume, tone, and input selection. It also has a line-level subwoofer output that filters out the mids and highs (above 120 Hz), but no way to filter the bass out of the main

speakers. IF YOU WANT A HIGHLY AFFORDABLE DESKTOP AMP: The Douk Audio Tone mini amp offers a convenient top-mounted volume control and source selector, two analog inputs, a USB digital

input, and a headphone jack, so it’s great for computer-based setups. Its front level meters add a cool, high-tech touch, too. However, when we played hip-hop and jazz recordings with deep

bass at loud volumes, the Tone distorted the sound more than the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro did. THE COMPETITION Below are capsule descriptions of some other amps that we concluded might be of

interest to Wirecutter readers. If you don’t see a certain model you’re interested in, check out our running list of stereo amps we’ve tested or considered. We liked the Arylic A50+, which

uses the same Wi-Fi streaming app as the WiiM Amp and has a similar feature set. However, there’s no HDMI port, in our tests it had less power, and we disliked the absence of a volume

control on the front of the amp. The Dayton Audio HTA20BT is nice, but the HTA100 offers far more power and features at a price that’s only about 50% higher. The Fosi Audio BT30D is billed

as having a variable high-pass filter for the main speakers—a rare feature in integrated amps that allows for better sound quality if you’re using a subwoofer. However, our measurements

showed that the filter isn’t variable and is too mild to be effective. We like the cool-looking level meters on the front panels of the Fosi Audio MC101 and MC351, but our measurements

showed that both have a mild treble boost and a mild bass cut when their tone controls are at their center detents. This tends to subtly thin out the sound. The tube-equipped Monoprice 16153

and Monoprice 38360 are less expensive than the Dayton Audio HTA100. They’re okay if you want a model with tubes at a low price, but in our tests neither came close to the HTA100’s

performance, and they don’t look as nice. Used with its stock power supply, the Lepai LP-2020TI tended to distort often at loud levels. The Rockville BluTube is an okay choice if you want

something that looks cool and has a couple of inputs, plus Bluetooth and a headphone jack. However, in our tests it put out only 16.1 watts per channel into 8 ohms, well short of the rated

25 watts. Also, the black box on the back, which on a real tube amp would house transformers, is almost completely empty. The S.M.S.L. SA300 has an appealing design and lots of nice

features, but in our tests it was noisier and had higher distortion at low levels than our picks. The Topping MX3 sometimes shut itself off when playing at loud volumes, after which we had

to turn the power back on manually. The Yamaha A-S301BL includes a phono input in addition to several analog and digital inputs. It’s a good choice if you want a more conventional-looking

amp, but in our tests it didn’t seem to perform any better than the cooler, less-expensive Dayton Audio HTA100. In our tests, the WiiM Amp Pro didn’t perform any better than the less

expensive WiiM Amp, and the Amp Pro omits AirPlay 2, which is one of the WiiM Amp’s most appealing features. _This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser._