What amplifier does the Canton Reference 9 2023 need?

Pick a speaker and tell us how loud you listen and how big the room is. We work out the power it actually needs, check which amplifiers can safely drive its impedance, and rank 197 amplifiers against it.

Your system

Four questions. Nothing is hidden on price.

Passive speakers only — a powered speaker already has its amplifier inside.
Changes the order only. Nothing is hidden for costing too little or too much.
Canton Reference 9 2023
Canton Reference 9 2023
Bookshelf
87 dB · 4 ohm
$6,300 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
30–220 W
per channel, into 4 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of Canton Reference 9 2023, you need at least 30 W a channel. More than 220 W is wasted here — that is all Canton rates the speaker to take.

Show the working
  • 95 dB target at the seat
  • +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
  • -3 dB for a stereo pair
  • -82.0 dB effective sensitivity
  • 3.0 dB taken off to convert the 4 ohm 2.83V rating to dB per watt
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 87 dB, used as 82.0 dB per watt.

Denon PMA-3000NE with the Canton Reference 9 2023

Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Full Denon PMA-3000NE specs · Clear this amp
 
$199 $10,500

150 integrated amplifiers suit the Canton Reference 9 2023

Also show the 30 we do not recommend
1
Cambridge Audio Edge A
Cambridge Audio Edge A
Integrated Amplifier · Class XA · 100 W into 8 ohms · $6,499
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Anthem STR
Anthem STR
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
NAD Masters Series M33
NAD Masters Series M33
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $5,999
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 380 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Denon AE PMA-A110
Denon AE PMA-A110
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Denon PMA-3000NE
Denon PMA-3000NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,799
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Advance Paris A12 APEX
Advance Paris A12 APEX
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 180 W into 8 ohms · $4,999
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (180 W to 270 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Mark Levinson No.5802
Mark Levinson No.5802
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $8,500
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Advance Paris A12 Classic
Advance Paris A12 Classic
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 190 W into 8 ohms · $4,499
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (190 W to 280 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
9
Marantz Model 30
Marantz Model 30
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
10
Arcam SA45
Arcam SA45
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 180 W into 8 ohms · $5,500
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (180 W to 300 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
NAD Masters Series M33 V2
NAD Masters Series M33 V2
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $7,399
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 380 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
12
Michi Prestige X430
Michi Prestige X430
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB · 210 W into 8 ohms · $4,999
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (210 W to 340 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
Advance Paris NOVA A-i130
Advance Paris NOVA A-i130
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 125 W into 8 ohms · $6,499
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (125 W to 185 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
14
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $4,500
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 350 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
McIntosh MA252
McIntosh MA252
Integrated Amplifier · Class HD · 100 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
16
Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE
Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $3,299
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (150 W to 250 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
17
McIntosh MA5300
McIntosh MA5300
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $6,000
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Advance Paris A10 APEX
Advance Paris A10 APEX
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,499
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 185 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
19
Arcam SA30
Arcam SA30
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 130 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 200 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
20
Arcam SA35
Arcam SA35
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 200 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 150. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

17 power amplifiers that would also drive them

Listed separately because they are not a complete system: a power amplifier has no volume control and no inputs to speak of, so you need a preamplifier or a streaming preamp as well. Worth it if you already own one, or if you want to buy the two halves separately.

1
NAD Masters Series M23 V2
NAD Masters Series M23 V2
Power Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $4,999
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
McIntosh MC830
McIntosh MC830
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 300 W into 8 ohms · $5,500
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
Rotel RB-1590
Rotel RB-1590
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 350 W into 8 ohms · $4,599
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
TEAC AP-701B
TEAC AP-701B
Power Amplifier · Class D · 170 W into 8 ohms · $4,000
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 400 W into 8 ohms · $6,500
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 220 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Advance Paris X-A220 EVO
Advance Paris X-A220 EVO
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 220 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
7
NAD C298
NAD C298
Power Amplifier · Class D · 185 W into 8 ohms · $3,099
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 4 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
8
McIntosh MC152
McIntosh MC152
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 150 W into 8 ohms · $6,500
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 4 ohm speaker that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
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Sensitivity and impedance figures are the manufacturer's own. We read sensitivity as dB at 2.83 V/1 m and take 2 dB off it, because published figures run high. Treat the result as a well-founded starting point, not a measurement. Full Canton Reference 9 2023 specs.