The Best Budget-Friendly Stereo Receivers
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There is something to be said about the simple separation of left- and right-channel audio output. It’s just about the music; some audiophiles say it’s all you need.
If that’s what you’re after, and your budget is modest, these are the budget receivers we like best.
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Pros
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Excellent value
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Great performance
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Clean design
It’s challenging to do much better than Sony’s STRDH190 Stereo Receiver. It lacks frills such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity or any voice assistant integration, but it nails the basics and does so at a stellar price. It has plentiful ports and Bluetooth for wirelessly streaming music from a smartphone or computer.
The ultra-minimal design makes it look more expensive than it is. The 100W per channel stereo sound is excellent. This is not something for the more technical A/V fans out there, but this feels like a steal for the rest of us.
Wattage: 200W (100W x 2) | Inputs: Stereo RCA (4), 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Outputs: Stereo RCA (1), Speaker Wire (4) | Dimensions: 11 x 17 x 5.2 inches
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Pros
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Palm sized
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Very affordable
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Bluetooth capable
If you want to take audio from your computer, tablet, or phone and get it to bigger, better speakers, the Fosi Audio BT10A is an ideal choice. It has Bluetooth connectivity with a range of 50 feet, so you can wirelessly stream music from your device. There’s also an AUX input if you want a wired connection.
This is a simple unit with a few dials on the front to control the volume, bass, and treble. Its output is 50W per channel.
Wattage: 300W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (2) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (2), Speaker Wire (4) | Dimensions: 16.9 x 12.2 x 4.7 inches
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The Sony STRDH590 5.2 Multi-Channel 4K Receiver delivers a stellar sound and loads of additional features and is ideal for a home theater setup. It has 5.2 multi-channel surround sound with a booming 145W per channel output, along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD audio that’s better than the price tag suggests.
Meanwhile, 4K and HDR (high dynamic range) passthrough compatibility means your TV can depict the vibrant images that come through the receiver without degradation. It also offers built-in Bluetooth wireless compatibility for playing music from your phone or other wireless devices, plus there’s FM radio support with up to 30 station presets. The minimal black box design should fit well with any home entertainment system.
Wattage: 725W (145W x 5) | Inputs: HDMI (4), Stereo RCA (4), Optical (1) | Outputs: HDMI (1), Subwoofer (1), Speaker Wire (5) | Dimensions: 11.75″ x 17″ x 5.25″
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Pros
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Bluetooth compatiblity
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Extremely affordable
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Compact size
A dual-channel amplifier with 220W of peak power, the Moukey Bluetooth Amplifier offers Bluetooth streaming from a device that’s only 10 inches wide, 4 inches tall, and 8 inches deep. The compact device has several ports, including two RCA inputs, two 2.5-inch microphone inputs, a headphone jack, a USB port, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm AUX-IN port, and an FM radio antenna.
On the front of the Moukey Amp are dials for adjusting the microphone volume and the echo, treble, bass, and balance, making this an ideal device for karaoke. Although this is a budget unit, you can use it for various purposes, from music to desktop audio.
Wattage: 220W | Inputs: Stereo RCA (2) | Outputs: Stereo RCA (1), Speaker Wire (4) | Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 4 inches
Lifewire / Jonno Hill
What to Look For in a Budget-Friendly Stereo Receiver
Connectivity
How are you going to get your music into the stereo receiver? These days, many people opt for Bluetooth pairing with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop for convenient access to streaming services, although some receivers have Wi-Fi support to cut out the middleman. If there’s no wireless connectivity, check that the receiver has the ports you need for your audio equipment.
Sound Quality
Why even buy a stereo receiver if you’ll settle for so-so sound? While finding a stereo that delivers stellar sound (no matter your budget) is important, note that you’ll probably see more quality variance in your speaker selection—so splurge there if you can.
Design
Most stereo receivers are hulking black boxes, but even then, there are differences. Some are ultra-minimal, while others are busier-looking, and some go in other directions—like slim units ideal for rack setups. Consider the space you have.
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