What amplifier does the McIntosh LCR80 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 297 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.
McIntosh LCR80
McIntosh LCR80
Center Channel
81 dB · 8 ohm
$2,500 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
60–945 W
per channel, into 8 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of McIntosh LCR80, you need at least 60 W a channel. Anything from about 120 W to 945 W a channel is comfortable; past that, more watts stop buying you anything.

Show the working
  • 95 dB target at the seat
  • +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
  • -3 dB for a stereo pair
  • -79.0 dB effective sensitivity
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 81 dB, used as 79.0 dB per watt.

Rotel A14 MKII with the McIntosh LCR80

Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Full Rotel A14 MKII specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

179 integrated amplifiers suit the McIntosh LCR80

Also show the 57 we do not recommend
1
Peachtree Carina
Peachtree Carina
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (300 W to 580 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Peachtree nova300
Peachtree nova300
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Good match
7 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (300 W to 450 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
3
Cambridge Audio Evo 300
Cambridge Audio Evo 300
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Good match
7 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (300 W to 550 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
4
Michi X5 Series 2
Michi X5 Series 2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 390 W into 8 ohms · $9,499
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (390 W to 600 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
Buchardt I150
Buchardt I150
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Good match
4 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (150 W to 300 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $3,200
Good match
5 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 350 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
HiFi Rose RA180
HiFi Rose RA180
Integrated Amplifier · Class AD · 400 W into 8 ohms · $6,995
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 400 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
8
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 125 W into 8 ohms · $1,500
Good match
3 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
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.
9
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,795
Good match
2 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
10
HiFi Rose RA280
HiFi Rose RA280
Integrated Amplifier · Class AD · 250 W into 8 ohms · $3,395
Good match
6 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 250 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Stereo Receiver · Class A/B · 135 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Good match
4 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (135 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
12
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 235 W into 8 ohms · $4,499
Good match
6 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (235 W to 350 W).
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
13
Denon PMA-1700NE
Denon PMA-1700NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
14
Denon PMA-1600NE
Denon PMA-1600NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
16
Rotel A14 MKII
Rotel A14 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
17
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Naim CI-Uniti 102
Naim CI-Uniti 102
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Workable
4 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (150 W to 260 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
19
HiFi Rose RS520
HiFi Rose RS520
Integrated Amplifier · Class AD · 250 W into 8 ohms · $3,695
Workable
6 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 250 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
Anthem STR
Anthem STR
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
Workable
5 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
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.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.

Showing the best 20 of 179. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

61 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
PS Audio Stellar M1200
PS Audio Stellar M1200
Power Amplifier · Class D · 600 W into 8 ohms · $3,499
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (600 W to 1,200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Parasound Halo JC1+
Parasound Halo JC1+
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 450 W into 8 ohms · $8,500
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (450 W to 850 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
3
PS Audio Stellar M700
PS Audio Stellar M700
Power Amplifier · Class D · 350 W into 8 ohms · $1,749
Workable with care
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (350 W to 700 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Michi S5
Michi S5
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 580 W into 8 ohms · $9,499
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (580 W to 800 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
Mark Levinson No.536
Mark Levinson No.536
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 400 W into 8 ohms · $18,500
Good match
8 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 (400 W to 800 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
6
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 400 W into 8 ohms · $6,500
Good match
8 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 rises usefully into 4 ohms (400 W to 600 W).
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
7
Parasound Halo JC5
Parasound Halo JC5
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 400 W into 8 ohms · $7,000
Good match
8 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 rises usefully into 4 ohms (400 W to 600 W).
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
8
Parasound JCM250
Parasound JCM250
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 250 W into 8 ohms · $4,250
Good match
6 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 945 W.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (250 W to 450 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
Were these amplifier recommendations useful?
It helps us tune the matching, and we read every comment.

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 McIntosh LCR80 specs.

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