Other key additions are Wi-Fi and smart functionality. While you can connect your phone to the receiver using Bluetooth, you’ll find a lot more value using Yamaha’s MusicCast app, which allows Alexa voice control and Apple AirPlay. This makes the receiver a lot more versatile for streaming, and considering it supports FLAC and lossless audio, it’s great for those who have a Wi-Fi-playable, high-definition audio library. For the price, it’s a solid deal considering the quality of offering here. We’d have liked to see surround support for that price, but the digital and Internet-based options are a nice feature here. Flip it around, and the design is pretty no-nonsense. There’s one giant volume knob on the front to allow you to control the drive quickly if needed, but all of the other functionality is controlled via the smart functions. Once you connect the device to the Internet, you’ll then use your smartphone and Alexa app to set up the device—after which, the Echo Link basically acts like any other other product on your network. That means you can control the amp with your voice or the Alexa app, and you can even set up the system for whole-home audio—telling your system to play one thing in the bedroom, and another thing in your living room entertainment setup. The name of the game here is simplicity. And though the price is a little steep for the power handling, it might be worth it if you have a truly Alexa-based home. But, if you do want some modern functionality, there’s Bluetooth connectivity available for playing music from your phone, tablet, or computer. The Bluetooth protocol isn’t the main focus here, so don’t expect modern codecs like aptX or anything. Instead, you’re getting a middle-of-the-road receiver that will power your speaker setup, all for a great price. Your trade-offs come in the lack of subwoofer and surround-sound support, and the fact that it’s about 15 pounds and pretty bulky. If you want something sleeker, louder, or more versatile you’ll have to look elsewhere on the list. But from a features-to-price standpoint, this is a good option. But it isn’t just the modern features at play that make this receiver worth a look. The 75W of power handling for each channel means there’s a measured amount of power you can push to your passive speaker setup. And because there are subwoofer and zone outputs, this will work as a surround-sound system as well as just a stereo setup. There are optical ins and outs for digital audio support and HDMI inputs to use this unit as a fully controllable receiver for your whole entertainment system. And of course, if you want to use it as a traditional stereo amp, it’ll do that well, too. It isn’t exactly affordable, but the versatility might make it a good bet if your specific AV needs allow you to take advantage of all the options here. Of course, the reason we’re giving it the nod here is because it sits at an ultra-thin 3.3 inches tall, and at just over 12 pounds, it’s one of the sleekest units out there that still offers sizable power. Its silver-gray design and stark white display also give it a much more futuristic look than the tired, plain black used in most receiver systems. At first glance, the price point might seem steep for only a few inputs and only 35W per channel of sound, but because of how well Cambridge Audio has handled that sound and because this thing looks so good, it’s worth the price for those who need something sleek and pro. Jonno Hill is a writer who covers tech such as computers, gaming equipment, and cameras for Lifewire and other publications. He tested several of the stereo receivers on our list.
What to Look For in a Stereo Receiver
Price
Stereo receivers can cost you a pretty penny, but you don’t have to spend a lot to get a decent one. While higher-end offerings will hover in the $2,000 range, if you’re on a tighter budget you can expect to spend around $500.
Connectivity
For most setups these days, you’ll want built-in Wi-Fi. Bonus points if it includes both a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz band, plus Bluetooth connectivity — this will make it easy to stream music from your favorite services like Spotify or Apple Music. Make sure there are also ample HDMI inputs.
Sound Quality
Most brands will tout superior sound quality, but stereo receivers actually don’t differ as much in this respect. This might sound counterintuitive given that your receiver is the hub of your home audio setup, but you’re likely better off investing in high-quality speakers.
