No matter how much money you spend on an audio system, if you don’t have a great stereo receiver, you won’t get the desired sound quality. You have to bring a stereo amplifier into the mix in order to get a breath-taking sound. If you have the best stereo system, then you should hook it up with a stereo receiver to see the difference in the quality of sound.
If you are interested, then there are many stereo receivers available on the market that you can check out. If you want to move onto the buying part quickly, then you should go through the best stereo receiver reviews consumer reports, which consists of 10 most sought after products in the current market.
Reviews Of 10 Best Stereo Receivers
1. Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver
Yamaha R-S202BL is a Bluetooth-enabled stereo receiver, which sports a rock-solid build. The black aluminum design of the stereo receiver is eye arresting and fits any décor. The unit features a built-in phono preamp, which allows it to make compatible with any turntable, no matter if it has an amp built-in or not. The device comes with an AM/FM tuner, which comprises of 40 stations presets.
The stereo receiver is capable of supporting two speaker systems, so you can enjoy loud music without any issue. While you enjoy your favorite music, you don’t have to have to worry about your power bills because this stereo receiver boasts eco low power consumption mode, which allows it to work with less power. With Bluetooth support for streaming audio from a wide range of audio devices, you don’t have to look for cables for listening to music on large music systems.
2. Pioneer SX-10AE Home Audio Stereo Receiver
This is a perfect stereo receiver for listening to the vibrant and powerful bass. Besides letting you connect to your speaker system, the stereo receiver works as AM/FM radio entertainment as well. If you are using a CD or DVD player, then you can connect this device to it and play your favorite music. The device also connects to network audio player and enjoy music streaming services as well.
The direct frequency response on this device allows you to locate nearby radio stations with ease. It can easily store up to 40 stations for quick access. Coming with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the stereo receiver allows you to stream songs from Bluetooth-enabled devices with ease. You will also like auto standby mode on the unit, which helps prevent it from breaking down in case of a sudden power spike.
3. BluDento 5.0 BLT-HD Music Audio Receiver
If you are planning to buy a Bluetooth soundbar, then drop that idea and buy BluDento HD Bluetooth music receiver. You can turn your old stereo into a modern one with Bluetooth capability. The sound quality of this stereo receiver is incredible, thanks to the presence of aptX HD, so if your stereo receiver been using AAC/SBC, then you will find a huge change in the audio quality. Also, AptX HD Bluetooth is much better than standard Bluetooth. Setting up this unit is very easy, as you just need to plug it in and the device pairs automatically.
The unit has three outputs, SPDIF coaxial, digital optical TOSLINK, and analog RCA. You can distribute one Bluetooth input to three amps/DACs at once. The unit comes with analog RCA jacks, which lets you turn on the audiophile-grade sound output, thanks to the dedicated digital to analog converter.
4. Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver With Phono Inputs & Bluetooth
Check out this stereo receiver from Sony, which is a simple yet powerful receiver for turntables. The unit features a built-in preamp, which lets it connect to turntables, which comes with a preamp or not. It also comes with FM tuner with support for up to 30 stations, so it will pick-up signals from nearby areas and store it for quick access. The stereo receiver can support four speakers with A/B switching, which results in a richer, surround sound.
If you want to enjoy music from your Bluetooth capable devices, then that is also possible because this device supports Bluetooth connectivity. I was also impressed by the audio quality of this device, which has a lot to do with the directional bass and stereo speaker support. Other features of the unit include reduced vibration design, discrete amplifiers, and Hi-Res audio, which provides the best quality audio. Coming to the drawbacks, then those include, absence of subwoofer and AM tuner.
5. Onkyo TX-8020 2 channel Stereo Receiver
If you need a high-fidelity stereo receiver at a price that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then go for Onkyo TX-8020. You will love to see the ‘Audio Boost’ feature offered by this stereo receiver is splendid. The device comes an AM/FM tuner with 40 channels presets, which allow you to tune into the channel of your choice. The device is packed with the ‘Wide Range Amplifier’ Technology, which results in a much better audio quality.
The device is packed with five analog inputs, including a phono input, which lets you connect different devices to it. Another notable feature of this product is its compatibility with DS-A5 AirPlay RI Dock. The device has got the audio output slot, which can be used to connect a bookshelf or floor standing speakers. The only drawback of this unit is the absence of digital connectivity options like Bluetooth.
6. Pyle PTA66BT Wireless Home Audio Amplifier System
Check out this powerful audio amplifier system, which is ideal for your home theater system. It has a peak power of 600 watts, which allows it to be used for multi speakers, which have an impedance of 4 to 8 ohms, thus letting you enjoy excellent quality audio. You can connect this stereo receiver with wireless Bluetooth, thus making it easy for you to connect it with your smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other such devices. A headphone jack is also provided in the unit for audio monitoring.
There are a total of 6 inputs in this stereo receiver allows you to connect different devices with this unit. These inputs include RCA connector, dual ¼-inch microphone in, AUX input, SD card reader for Mp3/WMA playback, and USB port. The unit supports FM radio with a digital LCD channel display as well. The talk over function in this PA amplifier allows you to stop your music for making announcements. The unit boasts easy-to-use controls comprising of crisp buttons and a rotary knob for controlling a wide range of features incorporated into this device.
7. KEiiD KD-240BT Stereo Digital Amplifier Receiver
KEiiD KD-240BT Stereo Receiver is ideal for Hi-Fi music and home audio entertainment. It has all the features that you will find in a premium stereo receiver, but the one that stands out among all is the sleep timer function, which makes using the device a lot more convenient. The device comes with an analog output via AUX/RCA cable, which allows it to be connected to various devices.
You can easily adjust the audio settings through the controls given on the unit. There is an additional Bluetooth antenna, which allows you to connect any Bluetooth-enabled devices up to 65 feet. You can easily stream wireless music in all corners of the house without losing any connection. The device is equipped with all the controls that let you customize the sound output according to your preference.
It has rotate knobs for controlling a wide range of functions including master volume, treble, bass, balance, echo, and mic volume. Boasting 5-level protection, the device will stay as it is for a long time. The five levels include self-protection, short protection, over-current protection, over-voltage protection, and overload protection. This is a great product for those who want to buy a reliable and technically advanced device.
8. Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver
This is yet another powerful stereo receiver, which is versatile, easy-to-use, and affordable. It comes with a 5-channel amplifier with each channel having 140-watt of power. You will be able to connect it to your 4K Ultra HD TV, a feature that you won’t find in most stereo receivers. You can connect up to 8 audio devices on this stereo receiver including the ones that support Bluetooth connectivity.
The unit delivers multi-dimensional surround sound with 5.2 channel compatibility, which enhances the overall audio quality. You will get a concert-like listening experience, which shows how efficient the product works. The only downside to this unit is the absence of a built-in phono preamp, but don’t worry, you can get it separately.
9. Sherwood RX4508 200W AM/FM Stereo Receiver With Bluetooth
Sherwood RX4508 may not be a feature-packed product, but it still has all the functionalities to let you enjoy your favorite music at home. It is a 2-channel stereo receiver, which comes with an RDS tuner, so you can connect two speakers with it. The unit supports three audio inputs, which include a phono input. Boasting a 100W output, this is one of the most powerful amplifiers on the list. It produces high-fidelity sound, thanks to the solid black pattern design.
The device quickly searches and scans for channels on an FM frequency, courtesy of Quartz PLL Synthesized Digital Tuning. The device works perfectly with a vinyl turntable because it supports direct connection through phone preamp, which too works a lot better than built-in preamps of other stereo receivers. The only drawback of this unit is the absence of digital inputs; otherwise, everything is great in it.
10. Marantz MM7025 Stereo Power Amplifier
If you want a stereo receiver, which allows excellent power for your home theater, then just invest in this product. It has got 140 watts per channel, which pumps immense power into the home audio system along with precise sound reproduction. The ability of this device to acquire sound from the most complicated audio sources put it in a different league altogether.
You will hear everything with great precision. The stereo receiver allows you to use the amp without compromising the sound quality. You can choose from a 2-channel setup or two zones to your speakers installed in different rooms. You can use this unit for hours, as its cooling fan will prevent the amp from overheating. You can keep this unit anywhere in the house and it will look spectacular. There are fewer stereo receivers, which offer better surround sound than this one.
Concluding Remarks
There is no denying that a stereo receiver can make the sound coming out from your stereo system or home theater system a lot better. But, in order to enjoy the thumping sound, you need to invest in the best product. The whole purpose of stereo receiver reviews consumer reports was to make you familiarize about the best stereo receiver, so if you have chosen the right product for your home audio system, then don’t wait anymore and click that ‘BUY’ button now.