5 vintage-style amplifiers for new-age hi-fi systems

There are reasons why vintage hi-fi components are back in fashion. They’re part of sound systems that force us to pay more attention to the music we’re listening to, something that’s been lost with the convenience of streaming.

There is also the obvious nostalgia. And most of all, thanks to its giant metal knobs, faux wood paneling and glossy fronts, the vintage hi-fi components look great. Modern components cannot compete.

Of course, technologies have come on leaps and bounds since the 60s, 70s and 80s, the golden age of traditional hi-fi, before the rise of digital audio, and vintage components lack the same level of audio quality. They also lack streaming capabilities and digital inputs, which are almost necessary for a modern hi-fi system.

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The good news is that many mainstream audio companies have caught on to this “back to old school hi-fi” movement and released new-age versions of their classic components. We’ve seen this a lot with speakers (Wharfedale, JBL and Klipsch are just a few recent examples), but it also happens with amplifiers.

Below, we’ve rounded up some recent examples of audio brands releasing modern amps that pay homage to the classics. Each features updated internals and modern connectivity while maintaining an aesthetic that feels distinctly old.