What amplifier does the Sony SS-CS5 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 293 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.
Sony SS-CS5
Sony SS-CS5
Bookshelf
87 dB · 6 ohm
$148 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
20–100 W
per channel, into 6 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of Sony SS-CS5, you need at least 20 W a channel. More than 100 W is wasted here - that is all Sony 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
  • -83.8 dB effective sensitivity
  • 1.2 dB taken off to convert the 6 ohm 2.83V rating to dB per watt
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 87 dB, used as 83.8 dB per watt.

Rotel S14 with the Sony SS-CS5

Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Full Rotel S14 specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

189 integrated amplifiers suit the Sony SS-CS5

Also show the 56 we do not recommend
1
OSD Nero Stream ARC
OSD Nero Stream ARC
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 50 W into 8 ohms · $199
Excellent match
6 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (50 W to 100 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Fosi Audio MC331
Fosi Audio MC331
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · ? W into 8 ohms · $130
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
WiiM Amp
WiiM Amp
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $299
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 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
WiiM Vibelink
WiiM Vibelink
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $299
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 3 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
5
WiiM Amp Pro
WiiM Amp Pro
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $379
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
6
Fosi Audio MC351
Fosi Audio MC351
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · ? W into 8 ohms · $190
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
OSD Nero Stream XD2
OSD Nero Stream XD2
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $400
Excellent match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
8
SVS Prime SoundBase
SVS Prime SoundBase
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $699
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
9
Musical Fidelity M2si
Musical Fidelity M2si
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 76 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (76 W to 135 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
10
Marantz Stereo 70s
Marantz Stereo 70s
Stereo Receiver · Class A/B · 75 W into 8 ohms · $1,000
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
11
Onkyo Muse Y-40
Onkyo Muse Y-40
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $1,000
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
12
Denon PMA-1600NE
Denon PMA-1600NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
13
Denon PMA-1700NE
Denon PMA-1700NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
14
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,700
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
15
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
16
Rotel A14 MKII
Rotel A14 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
17
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
18
Eversolo Play
Eversolo Play
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $699
Good match
6 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 110 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
19
Denon PMA-3000NE
Denon PMA-3000NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,799
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
20
Denon AE PMA-A110
Denon AE PMA-A110
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.

Showing the best 20 of 189. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

48 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
Fosi Audio ZA3
Fosi Audio ZA3
Power Amplifier · Class D · ? W into 8 ohms · $150
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 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, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Fosi Audio V3 Mono
Fosi Audio V3 Mono
Power Amplifier · Class D · ? W into 8 ohms · $110
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 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, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
Fosi Audio V3
Fosi Audio V3
Power Amplifier · Class D · ? W into 8 ohms · $90
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 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, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Naim NAP 250
Naim NAP 250
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $8,999
Good 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 (100 W to 190 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
Cambridge Audio Edge M
Cambridge Audio Edge M
Power Amplifier · Class XA · 200 W into 8 ohms
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
No current price on file for this amplifier.
6
Cambridge Audio MXW70
Cambridge Audio MXW70
Power Amplifier · Class D · 70 W into 8 ohms · $599
Good match
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (70 W to 125 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
7
MOON 330A
MOON 330A
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $4,400
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 100 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
8
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $7,195
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 150 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
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 Sony SS-CS5 specs.

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