New Streaming Amplifier Generation Arrives, Signaling a Promising New Era for High-Fidelity Audio
High End Munich 2025's whopper of a show is where top-tier hi-fi brands flaunt the crème de la crème of what the audio realm can muster. This can take shapes like eye-popping, sky-high speakers, colossal tanks of amplifiers, or ultramodern marvels dripping with cutting-edge tech.
At this year's shindig, one piece of equipment that kept popping up like a pesky whack-a-mole was the streaming amplifier – a versatile box jam-packed with amplifier, DAC, streaming, volume control, and inputs. All you need to add is your speakers.
Streaming amplifiers were around for a while, but what made this year's models stand out? Well, these babies leveled up! With an abundance of streaming amplifiers available this year, each adorned with the latest streaming tech and DAC chips, and offered in diverse sizes, designs, and forms that cater to the contemporary audiophile, they just ooze appeal. Plus, there's more competition across the price spectrum, with more products featuring impressive specifications.
What really sets this fresh crop of streaming amplifiers apart? A full-color touchscreen display. While it might not sound groundbreaking, this feature prevents these products from looking like yet another black, rectangular, boring old box. These streaming amplifiers are now more inviting, interactive, and aesthetically pleasing – literally!
As I mentioned in my WiiM Ultra review, the touchscreen display engrosses you in the streamer, providing a more tactile connection with your hi-fi system. Plus, it's quicker and more accessible than booting up an app.
And speaking of the WiiM Amp Ultra, it heads my list of the most impressive streaming amplifier launches at Munich. The WiiM's existing streaming amps – WiiM Amp and the WiiM Amp Pro – are sleek, minimal designs. However, the screen-equipped Amp Ultra makes more sense for a modern streaming amplifier, providing easier control over playback and access to presets.
Get ready to sign up for our Newsletter to stay updated on the freshest hi-fi, home cinema, and tech news, reviews, advice, and deals!
First, let's chat about the WiiM Amp Ultra. This affordable streaming amplifier boasts the sleek streaming platform of the Ultra, along with 100 watts per channel amplification, all crowded into a compact box. Pricing will be revealed later this year, but we predict it will stay affordable and competitive, given WiiM's stellar track record. £400/$400, perhaps? A steal!
The Eversolo Play will also utilize the brand's excellent streaming interface and touchscreen display, two features that earned high praise in our DMP-A6 streamer review (see the link below). Akin to using a smartphone, the colorful screen controls the product and offers extensive access to all apps and features through a tap and swipe.
In addition to the standard version, there's also a CD Edition of the Eversolo Play, featuring an integrated CD-ROM drive. Perfect for those of us who still love our physical media! Priced at £599-£699/$699-$799 depending on the model, this could be the sleeper hit of 2025.
Moving up the price ladder, there were new streaming amplifiers from NAD, Lyngdorf, and Cyrus Audio. NAD's M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is a feature-packed model that introduces MQA Labs' new FOQUS and QRONO technologies for more accurate signal conversion, along with Gen 2 Purifi Eigentakt amplification modules and Dirac Live Room Correction. This one's yours for a wallet-bruising £4999/$5999 and hits the shelves in August.
Lyngdorf's TDAI-2210 (£3499/$4499) is the mid-child of the Danish brand's streaming amplifier family. It leverages fully digital amplification (not Class D) with 105 watts per channel and RoomPerfect calibration, which fine-tunes the sound to your room. Lyngdorf guarantees "best-in-class volume control" and "the most uncolored sound you've ever experienced."
Lastly, the Cyrus 80 AMP piques our interest for two reasons. One, it's the first time Cyrus has gone full-width – a significant milestone in the history of hi-fi, right up there with Naim ditching olive green from its brand identity. Two, we've always admired what Cyrus has done with the 40 Series – both visually and sonically – and the 80 AMP looks like a stellar follow-up.
At the show, I only saw a display model, as it was a sneak peek. But it appears smart, with the sleek touchscreen display, illuminated dials, and icons looking rather enticing. The 80 AMP runs on the BluOS streaming platform but features Class A/B amplification – 150W per channel – which sets it apart from the dominating Class D amps in this list. The Cyrus 80 AMP arrives in November, with pricing estimated to fall within the £3000-£4000 range.
You may have noticed that all the products here support various streaming methods, apps, and analogue and digital connectivity, with HDMI ARC input being standard across all new streaming amps.
These are products that reflect a sense of maturity, having learned from previous generations and refining what is required of a modern streaming amplifier. While I haven't heard these new streaming amps yet, I'm hopeful – and expectant – that the sonic performance has also evolved, even when combining all separate hi-fi elements under one roof.
I've reviewed and tested numerous streaming amplifiers over the years, from the premium Naim Uniti Atom to the Cambridge Audio Evo 75 to the recent Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier. But this next generation of streaming amps is what genuinely excites me.
I can hardly wait to give them a whirl!
[1] [link to source 1][2] [link to source 2][3] [link to source 3][4] [link to source 4][5] [link to source 5]
Additional Resources:- Qobuz Connect: What is it? Which products support it?- The 11 Most Exciting Hi-Fi Products We Saw at High End Munich 2025- Our guide to the Best Music Streamers for Every Budget- 7 Tracks We've Been Enjoying in Our Test Rooms Over the Last Month
- The high-end audio event in Munich 2025 showcased the latest advancements in technology, with streaming amplifiers being a standout piece of equipment.
- These versatile boxes, equipped with amplifier, DAC, streaming, volume control, and inputs, have become increasingly popular due to their sleek designs and latest streaming tech.
- One of the most appealing aspects of this year's streaming amplifiers is their incorporation of full-color touchscreen displays, offering a more tactile and interactive experience.
- In my review of the WiiM Ultra, I praised the touchscreen display for its immersive nature and ease of use compared to apps.
- The WiiM Amp Ultra, priced at approximately £400/$400, is a must-have for those seeking an affordable yet powerful streaming amplifier.
- Another noteworthy streaming amplifier is the Eversolo Play, which features the brand's excellent streaming interface and touchscreen display, along with an integrated CD-ROM drive for those who prefer physical media.
- The NAD M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, while more expensive at around £4999/$5999, offers advanced features such as MQA Labs' FOQUS and QRONO technologies, Gen 2 Purifi Eigentakt amplification modules, and Dirac Live Room Correction.
- The Cyrus 80 AMP, though not yet released, is already generating buzz for its full-width design, sleek touchscreen display, and Class A/B amplification, setting it apart from the Class D amps prevalent in the market.
