Rotel RB-1582 MkIIPrice: $1599

Website: www.rotel.com

Erich said: Rotel’s RB-1582 MkII is a reasonably priced, attractive power amplifier with a warm sound. Its marked difference in sound from that of, say, the Parasound Halo A 23 is worth exploring for yourself, especially if your taste tends a bit toward warmth. The RB-1582 MkII could soften an overly analytic front end or be the powerhouse of an already comfortable-sounding system. Not surprisingly, it blended well with its preamplifier mate, Rotel’s RC-1570. If all of that sounds appealing -- and I could see it being just that for a lot of audiophiles -- this Rotel should be on your shortlist for audition.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Solid stereo power amp from a reputable, value-oriented brand.