Reviews of stereo amplifiers.

Stereo Amplifiers. You could have the best DVD player and speakers that money can buy, but if you don't have an amplifier, you won't hear a thing.

The term stereo amplifier is not used accurately if speaking in home theater lingo. Home theater sound is the responsibility of the receiver which can decode sound in more than 2 channels. By definition, the word stereo refers to a set of 2 (as in only 2 channels). Thus, a home theater receiver is not a "stereo (2-channel) amplifier", as it is a multi-channel amplifier.

To complicate things further, in electronics, an "amplifier" usually only refers to a component that amplifies a sound signal which has already been processed. Thus the term stereo amplifier doesn't accurately describe a home theater receiver which processes and amplifies the sound by itself. The name "receiver" refers to the fact that this component "receives" the input from all of the other home theater (or stereo system) components. This input can also include, in the case of a good home theater receiver, the video inputs from cable, satellite, DVD player, etc.. The receiver then integrates, and processes all of the inputs, and accordingly distributes the sound to the speakers and television.

But enough already. You reached this page because you wanted information on stereo amplifiers. Here I am actually going to provide you with reviews on home theater receivers, assuming you didn't know the difference until now.

To begin, decide exactly how much power you are going to need. How big is the room in which the system will be used? How much power can your speakers handle?

These factors will decide which home theater receivers you will actually consider. Price is often reflected in the power of a receiver as well. Typically, the more power a receiver is able to output, the more expensive it will be. The second greatest factor affecting a home theater receiver's price is its features and functions. Brand is also a factor on price. Click to see all home theater receivers. If it really was stereo amplifiers you wanted to see, not specifically intended for use in a home theater system, stereo amplifiers are included there as well.

I am going to recommend what I consider the best home theater receiver pick for three distinct criteria. Low budget (up to $300), mid budget ($300 to $500) and high budget ($500 and up).

Low Budget Pick - Panasonic SAHE100K Digital Home Theater Receiver. This was an easy choice. A feature-packed model, low cost, and excellent performance. The Panasonic SAHE100K includes Dolby Digital and DTS-ES processing capabilities. It has 6 channel processing with 100 watts per channel power handling. It is packed with more features than I can mention here. Go take a look at it for yourself.

Mid Budget Pick - Onkyo TX-SR601 A/V Receiver. Another fairly easy choice. Similar features to most models at this pricing level. This home-Theater receiver has the necessary built-in Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II capabilities. Power handling is a respectable 6 x 85 Watts per channel. It also features 8 different Digital Sound Processing (DSP/Cinema) modes. A good performer at a respectable price.

High Budget Pick - Harmon Kardon AVR-525 Stereo & Home Theater Receiver. The Harman Kardon AVR-525 Stereo and Home-theater Receiver is fundamentally superior to most A/V receivers, because its power ratings conform to Hi-Fi Standards for both Stereo and Dolby Digital Surround Stereo. It provides 85 Watts per channel in stereo mode and 5 channel mode and 70 Watts per channel in Dolby Digital and DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete & Matrix decoding.

If Home Theater is your concern, we're talking about "receivers", not stereo amplifiers.