fa·vor·ite | /ˈfāv(ə)rət/ | adjective: favorite | preferred before all others of the same kind.
The entire point of sharing lists like these is twofold: Of greatest importance, I am offering a shortcut view into my preferences. The secondary reason is people enjoy lists—like shopping lists—and I am of the opinion that the following list contains amplifiers that are capable of providing deep musical satisfaction and they stand out in this regard from all of the amplifiers I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. Favorites.
Products that represent exceptional value—price+performance—get a:
Please note: the prices included below were current when the associated review was published.
Twittering Machines Favorite Amplifiers [updated September 2025]
Aurorasound HFSA-01 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier ($3680) | Review
Audia Flight FL Three S Integrated Amplifier (starts at $3999) | Review
Bel Canto e.One Pre5 Preamplifier / REF501S Stereo Amplifier ($2495/ea.) | Review
Unison Research Unico 90 Integrated Amplifier ($5499) | Review
Atoll SDA300 Signature Streamer / DAC / Integrated Amplifier ($5500) | Review
Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier ($5500, Phono Module +$750, DAC module +$1000) | Review
Luxman L-505Z Integrated Amplifier ($5995) | Review
Enleum AMP-23R ($6250) | Review
Fern & Roby Amp No. 2 ($6,950 + $200 for the optional Isolation Feet) | Review
Leben CS600 Integrated Amplifier ($7995) I own one
Aesthetix Mimas Integrated Amplifier ($9000) | Review
Technics Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-R1000 ($9499.99) | Review
ModWright KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated ($9750) | Review
Unison Research Simply 845 Integrated Amplifier ($9995) | Review
Octave V 16 Single Ended Integrated/Headphone Amplifier (starts at $10,000) | Review
Thöress EHT MKII Integrated Amplifier ($10,995) | Review
Wattson Audio Madison Amplifier ($6500) & Madison LE Streaming DAC ($4995) | Review
Balanced Audio Technology VK-80i Integrated Amplifier ($11,995) | Review
Octave Audio V 70 Class A Integrated Amplifier ($12,000) | Review
Audia Flight FLS 10 Integrated Amplifier (starts at $12,999) | Review
Ayre KX-8 Preamplifier (starts at $6400) & Ayre VX-8 Power Amplifier ($6800) | Review
Mola Mola Kula Integrated Amplifier (starts at $15,055) | Review
ModWright LS 99 Balanced Tube Preamplifier ($15,500/stack) | Review
Riviera Audio Laboratories Levante Integrated Amplifier ($16,500) | Review
Constellation Audio Inspiration Integrated 1.0 ($16,500) |Review
Pathos InPol Heritage MKII Integrated Amplifier ($18,996) | Review
Thrax Enyo Signature Integrated Amplifier ($21,500) | Review
BorderPatrol S20EXD Parallel Single-Ended Amplifier (starts at $22,500 without 300B tubes) | Review
Viva Solista Integrated Amplifier ($29,500) | Review
Bel Canto Design Black ACI 600 ($29,999) | Review
Soulution 331 Integrated Amplifier (starts at $32,975) | Review
Vinnie Rossi BRAMA Integrated Amplifier ($47,995) | Review
Riviera Labs APL10 Preamplifier ($17,500) & AFM25 Monoblock Amplifiers ($32,800/pair) | Review
Treehaus Audiolab The Preamplifer ($24,000) & 300B-2 SET Amplifier ($30,000) | Review
Audio Note Meishu Phono 300B Konzertmeister Integrated Amplifier ($65,000) | Review
JMF Audio PRS 1.5 Preamplifier ($39,000) & HQS 6002 Amplifier ($45,000) | Review
Octave Audio Jubilee Preamplifier ($40,000) & Jubilee Mono ULTIMATE Monoblock Amplifiers ($135,000/pair) | Review