WINNERS: Hi-Fi Amplifiers – Sound+Image Awards 2022

Awards 2022
(Image credit: Future)

At the heart of your hi-fi system is the amplifier, switching your sources, powering your loudspeakers, and often, these days, providing all manner of extras, such as streaming music from the internet.  

These are the amplifiers that have wowed us over the last 12 months of our magazines Sound+Image, Australian Hi-Fi, Best Buys Audio & AV, and Audio Esoterica, and which represent our recommendations of the very best power providers available in Australia today.

For the full details on each and every winner, check out the Special Awards Issue of Sound+Image magazine, on sale now in print and digital editions. Print subscriptions here; digital issues here!

Now let's meet the winners!

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

DAC / Preamp of the year under $2500

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

DAC/PREAMP OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$2500
Cambridge DacMagic 200M
AU$899
Judges’ Comment: The DacMagic 200M is a pocket rocket of a performer, able to be used as a DAC, a headphone amp, or even as a preamp for a whole digital system.

DAC / Preamp of the year over $2500

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

DAC/PREAMP OF THE YEAR OVER AU$2500
Weiss DAC502
AU$15,500
Judges’ Comment: Spectacularly musical, invisible indeed to the music passing through, the DAC502 is both functionally-packed and one of the best DACs we’ve heard.
Click here for our full review.

 

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

Amplifier of the year under $2000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$2000
Rotel A14MkII
AU$1899
Judges’ Comment: Rotel uses its long history of audio design to deliver a classic hi-fi amplifier with all the inputs you’re likely to need, along with clean and impressive power, presented in a stylish low-slung chassis.
Click to read our full review

Amplifier of the year $2000 - $5000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR AU$2000-AU$5000
Cambridge Audio Evo 150
AU$4299
Judges’ Comment: Smart outside and smart inside, the Evo 150 delivers a thoroughly modern set of inputs, along with app-controlled streaming and solid Hypex Ncore power.

Amplifier of the year $5000 - $10,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR AU$5000-AU$10,000
Copland CTA408
AU$9900
Judges’ Comment: The Copland’s dynamic valve sound is complemented by stand-out performance from the phono input and the headphone output. 

Amplifier of the year $10,000 - $20,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR AU$10,000-AU$20,000
Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX MkII
AU$11,945
Judges’ Comment: Norway’s Electrocompaniet delivers a wildly successful combination of streaming, control and high-current power. 
Click here for our full review

Amplifier of the year over $20,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR OVER AU$20,000
Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression Integrated
AU$47,985 fully optioned; Base model is AU$34,995, with AU$8995 for the DAC Module and AU$3995 for the Phono Module
Judges’ Comment: There’s useful modularity for the inputs, but it’s the gloriously powerful presentation which delivers the thrills.

 

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

Stereo Pre-Power Amplifiers of the year under $25,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

PRE & POWER AMPS OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$25,000
Bel Canto E1X DAC/Control Preamp & E1X Stereo
AU$11,000 / AU$10,100
Judges’ Comment: The use of Hypex Ncore modules allows a compact yet high-power presentation from this versatile pre-power combination.

Stereo Pre-Power Amplifiers of the year $25,000 - $50,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

PRE & POWER AMPS OF THE YEAR AU$25,000-AU$50,000
Classé Delta Pre & Stereo
AU$16,990 / AU$19,990
Judges’ Comment: The Canadian brand is back, now building in Japan, and delivering this attractive and highly musical preamp and stereo power amp combination.
Click to read our full review

Stereo Pre-Power Amplifiers of the year over $50,000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

STEREO PRE & POWER AMPS OF THE YEAR OVER AU$50,000
Gryphon Essence Preamplifier / Stereo
AU$26,996 / AU$34,995
Judges’ Comment: The Gryphon amplifier combination performs at a spectacularly high level, revealing the very essence of music. It’s not mere hi-fi, it’s a path straight to the music.
Click to read our full review

Power Amplifier of the year under $5000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

POWER AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$5000
March Audio P452
AU$2375 as standard with ETI BP2-C binding posts; $2500 with upgraded ETI Kryo posts
Judges’ Comment: The very latest in high-performance Class-D technology from Bruno Putzeys is impressively served (and priced) by this Western Australian company.
Click to read our full review

Power Amplifier of the year over $5000

Awards 2022

(Image credit: Future)

POWER AMPLIFIER OF THE YEAR OVER AU$5000
Adcom GFA-585se
AU$5799
Judges’ Comment: Thoroughly old-school, the Adcom’s massive power levels are awe-inspiring when the music requires, yet also able to deliver delicacy.
Click here for our full review.

 

Awards 2022

CLICK to return to the 2022 Awards categories (Image credit: Future)
Sound+Image

Sound+Image is Australia's no.1 mag for audio & AV – sister magazine to Australian Hi-Fi and to the UK's What Hi-Fi?, and bestower of the annual Sound+Image Awards, which since 1989 have recognised the year's best hi-fi and home cinema products and installations. While Sound+Image lives here online as part of our group, our true nature is best revealed in the print magazines and digital issues, which curate unique collections of content each issue under the Editorship of Jez Ford, in a celebration of the joys that real hi-fi and high-quality AV can bring. Enjoy essential reviews of the most exciting new gear, features on Australia's best home cinemas, advice on how to find your sound, and our full Buying Guide based on all our current and past award-winners, all wrapped up with the latest news and editorial ponderings. Click here for more information about Sound+Image, including links to buy individual digital editions and details on how best to subscribe.

Read more
Integrated amplifier: Arcam A5
Best stereo amplifiers 2025: 9 class leaders chosen by our review experts
Goldmund Telos 690 integrated amplifier
Heavenly speakers, top-end SACD players and gold-standard amps: 2024 was a great year for high-end hi-fi
Cambridge Audio EXA100 integrated amplifier on hi-fi rack in front of books
Cambridge Audio EXA100
Pro-Ject Colourful Audio System playing
These are the 11 coolest audio treats I’ve spotted after 48 hours at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M lifestyle with Sennheiser headphones
Best headphone amplifiers 2025: expert picks to boost your personal listening
Naim NSS 333 streamer on wooden rack
I heard over 150 products in 2024 and these are my 5 hi-fi highlights
Latest in Stereo Amplifiers
A grey WiiM Vibelink Amp on a wooden cabinet between two bookshelf speakers.
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Rega Brio Mk7 amp
Rega reveals 7th generation Brio amplifier – and this time it has a DAC!
Esoteric F-01/PS-01F stereo amplifier
Esoteric F-01/PS-01F
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 amplifier on display
Musical Fidelity's integrated amp strives for a sweet, powerful sound thanks to its "reference-level" tech
Rotel A8 vs Marantz PM6007
Rotel A8 vs Marantz PM6007: which budget stereo amplifier is best for you?
Naim Nait XS3
Hall of Fame 2024
Latest in Features
Pro-Ject Colourful Audio System playing
These are the 11 coolest audio treats I’ve spotted after 48 hours at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show
Wilson Benesch Horizon
The 7 best speakers we saw at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 – Ruark Audio, Wharfedale and more
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background screen
The iPhone 16e could be a fantastic music player – but we have some big questions
Apple HomePod 2 vs Apple HomePod
The affordable iPhone 16e is all well and good, but where's my new HomePod, Apple?
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition wireless speaker
The B&W Zeppelin Pro Edition makes a glaring omission – but it doesn't detract from its five-star performance