A stereo amplifier is the beating heart of any hi-fi separates system; the necessary middleman between a source (such as a CD player or turntable) and pair of passive loudspeakers. Without it, you simply don't get a sound!

If you've chosen to go down the simpler, most convenient, and the space-saving option of an integrated amplifier as opposed to a pre/power pairing (where preamp and power amp duties are housed in separate boxes), you've come to the right place.

Here, we've rounded up the market's best stereo amps, which offer a vast selection of features across a range of prices. We're confident there will be something here to suit all budgets and requirements, to get your music system singing whether it comprises a modestly priced turntable and entry-level speakers or a higher-end kit. And what better place to start than with the current What Hi-Fi?