Simply put, there are more powerful range extenders out there. That said, if you only need a slight boost and want to maintain the full customizability of your Asus router, then this is a great choice.

Its external antennas can be placed around where your signal starts to die off and they will act as a signal repeater for your WiFi. There is even an ethernet port on the device to offer a fast wired connection without trailing cable through the house. Keep in mind that because of house layouts, wall insulation, and other obstacles, you cannot easily estimate range improvement in square footage. When your wireless router doesn't reach everywhere you need it to, there are only a few ways you can reliably improve signal strength.

Most of the time, a WiFi amplifier is the easiest and cheapest option. Most WiFi amplifiers are plug-and-play, only requiring you to push their WPS button and then the corresponding button on your router. They can be placed on any electrical outlet in range of your router to act as a signal repeater and boost its range and performance in the outer reaches of your home.

If your router is already placed in the most central location that your house layout permits, then a WiFi amplifier is your next step in achieving that 50 Mbps downstream that Comcast promised you. However, a WiFi signal booster is far from your only option, so don't pull the trigger before at least considering the other ways to boost your home network signal.

As previously mentioned, router placement in your home is a crucial factor in your overall signal strength. Check out these helpful router placement tips from CNet for more information on where to position your modem and router.

You can also upgrade your router, which is definitely recommended if you are still on N-band wireless. The current AC-band routers can reach gigabit speeds and have much better signal propagation to match. If you have an older router laying around unused, you may be able to set it to "bridge mode," which allows it to act as a WiFi amplifier itself. Though, on some models, this will require custom firmware, which is a bit risky for a newbie to try.

In most cases, ethernet cable is the most cost-effective way to propagate the Internet throughout your house but this is, by definition, not wireless. Still, using ethernet to connect a router to a wireless bridge is a smart idea.

There are also powerline ethernet adapters like we reviewed above. Failing these options, you can always knock some walls down in your house. Just make sure to follow building code. Or you can do it the easy way like I started out saying. With all this said, it is still unwise to simply buy the most expensive WiFi amplifier and hope for the best.

Instead, you should match the amplifier's signal strength to that of your router so you aren't paying for power you can't use. If you have an AC router, then getting a signal booster that supports up to Mbps is overkill. However, if you have dual-band wireless, then you are doing yourself a disservice by not getting a dual-band compatible WiFi booster. Hopefully, this drives home the importance of having an appropriate router for your Internet plan right out the gate. But since Internet plans change all the time, there's no shame in admitting you need a WiFi booster.

Disclaimer: Heavy Inc. By Matt Malmlund. Updated Dec 28, at pm. Securifi Almond. Netgear EX AC Shop at Amazon. Cons: Desktop models are bulky Less customizable than a second router Runs hot. The XS 3 adds a moving magnet phono stage and better responsiveness, and that's about it. If that sounds negative, it shouldn't — the XS 3 is a killer stereo amp, earning a well-deserved five stars, and picking up a What Hi-Fi?

Award for its trouble. Open it up and you'll see what we mean - there's immaculately assembled audio circuitry, with fantastic care shown in reducing the degrading effect of outside interference and unwanted interactions between components.

And it shows. The sound is much crisper and more agile than its forebears, thanks in no small part to this exacting eye for detail it even goes as far as the shape of the connecting wiring and the exact number and placement of tie clips holding it in place. It might not be enough of a difference to justify upgrading from its predecessor, but it still makes for an awesome amp nonetheless. Read the full review: Naim Nait XS 3. So it's in good company. Thankfully, it doesn't let the side down: it has the same digital inputs and Bluetooth capabilities as the CXA81, but only outputs at 60W per channel instead of 80W, giving you less power.

But for most listening scenarios, that won't be a deal breaker. What's more important is the sound quality. And we're happy to report it's a real step on from the CXA60, being more transparent and fun, but always staying composed even when the music gets frantic. It's a presentation style that works well across a wide range of musical genres and speakers, and should please all but the most demanding of listeners.

If that's you, you'll have to spend a little more to satisfy your audio taste buds. The Rega Aethos delivers an fantastic combination of insight, dynamics and rhythmic precision to produce a class-leading sound.

It's not the most highly-specced stereo amp we've seen, though. There are no digital inputs, nor is there a phono stage for a turntable, which is surprising at this level.

You do get five line-level inputs and a 6. IF you can live with that, the Rega will reward you with a captivating sound, that majors in clarity and dynamic fluidity. Its sense of timing is second to none at that level, which is part of the reason it's a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Read the full review: Rega Aethos. Chord Electronics has proven to have quite some talent in finding new market niches.

And the diminutive Anni desktop integrated amplifier is a perfect example of that. Use it as a desktop amplifier as intended and it shines. Read the full Chord Anni review. If it's heritage you want, the Rega Brio has it in abundance. And it wears its heritage on its sleeve, with a redesign that harks back to those earlier models. It's now in its sixth generation, and we had to wait six long years for this model to touch down.

Thankfully, it was worth it. It takes audio performance to a whole new level at the money, making it the kind of amplifier we want to leave on and play our entire music collection through.

Again and again. Yes, your main inputs are limited to standard RCA sockets and a moving magnet phono stage, but we're willing to overlook this, given the amp's amazing sense of musicality. It sounds terrifically fluid with precision and scale in spades. In fact, almost anything you play on it will sound amazing. Even Bryan Adams. Read the full review: Rega Brio. As far as flagship stereo amplifiers go, the Edge A is a stunning piece of kit.

The casework looks slick thanks to its curved corners, while the knurled input selector ring works with wonderful precision.

It even comes with a classy remote handset. And the Cambridge sounds like a truly complete amplifier for the money. It generates a huge sense of authority and scale, with amazing dynamic reach.

The amp also has a fantastic grasp of low-level details, thanks to a display of clarity and control you'll struggle to beat at the price. If you're looking for a fit-and-forget hi-fi amplifier, we can't think of anything better at this level. Read the full review: Cambridge Audio Edge A.

This is another integrated amp with some serious pedigree. This third-gen model doesn't break any moulds, but then it doesn't have to. A slight improvement on its predecessor would be enough to make it one of the best around in its category.

And that's exactly what we have here. Changes over the previous version are limited to the addition of a good quality moving magnet phono stage and a tweak in the power amplifier section. It makes the Supernait a little more useful and a little bit better. But such was the quality of its predecessor that that's enough to keep the Supernait at the cutting edge at this level.

Some may baulk at the lack of digital inputs, but these can harshen the analogue performance. And they never sound as good as a dedicated outboard unit like a Chord Mojo.

So we support Naim's decision to keep it strictly analogue. It certainly shows when it comes to sound quality. In fact, we can't think of a more talented alternative when it comes to punch, dynamics and rhythmic drive.

Read the full review: Naim Supernait 3. This is a well-built, cleanly styled product that packs all the essentials. And if you have a budget turntable, you can take advantage of its built-in moving magnet phono stage. The AXA35 delivers a bold and composed sound that practically overflows with detail. And when it comes to rhythmic drive and dynamic expression, few alternatives do better. Read the full review: Cambridge AXA It has a smaller design, and the fact it can stand upright means it's more versatile with positioning.

The NAD is also packed with useful features. There's Bluetooth for offline streaming and a moving magnet phono stage for connecting a turntable. Which give you far more options when it comes to audio sources.

Plus you get optical, coaxial and RCA connections, along with a subwoofer out for adding lashings of bass. And if this wasn't enough, it's an enjoyable listen too.

Dynamics and timing are up there with the best, while detail levels are impressive for this class. Even if the Marantz does pip it for all-round sound quality, this NAD more than makes up for it in terms of features and ease of use.

Definitely one for your shortlist. Arguably, this is the only stereo amplifier at this price capable of troubling the Rega Brio at no. So needless to say the Audiolab A is a very accomplished performer. It's well-equipped on the connections front - four digital inputs, three analogue inputs, and a pair of moving magnet phono inputs. Add Bluetooth and a headphone output to the equation and you've got a list of options the Rega simply can't match.

So how does it sound? Very good indeed. Though considering it uses technology derived from the top-of-the-range A series, and the same DAC chip as the Award-winning Audiolab M-DAC, its prestige audio quality comes as no surprise. The A's open and airy presentation gives music plenty of room to breathe and there's bags of refinement on offer too.

It's clean and articulate, with a gorgeous sense of clarity and an absolute tonne of detail to get your teeth into. Take it from us, the A doesn't disappoint. Read the full review: Audiolab A. Let's start with the negatives. The Musical Fidelity M2si doesn't have the features list of most rivals — there are no digital connections, no phono stage and no wireless connectivity. In fact, it's one of the most stripped-back amplifiers we've ever tested.

But that means every penny you spend on it goes straight to making a great-sounding amplifier. So what do you get for your money? There's a remote control, six line level inputs, including a tape loop and a home cinema bypass option to help integration into a surround system. It feels better built than many rivals, too, while the simple, clean cut design will appeal to many.

Sound-wise, its performance is massively refined and pleasantly entertaining, and leaves plenty of scope for upgrades. It's a large-scale sound, packed with authority and substance. It images very well, and dynamic expression is another strong point. Read the full review: Musical Fidelity M2si. Ultimately, it delivers a superb all-round performance.

And its modular nature means it offers far greater flexibility than most rivals, too. Copland doesn't introduce new products all that regularly, so the CSA is a welcome addition to its line-up and a welcome addition to our list of the best stereo amplifiers you can buy. The CSA boasts a clutter-free and elegant design, with digital module, headphone output and a phono stage all to be found inside that well-constructed chassis. At its core is a hybrid electronic design that produces a solid W per channel 8ohm.

Sonically, the amp produces a nicely layered image with instruments sharply focused — its sonic precision and a sense of fluidity are hugely appealing. Read the full review: Copland CSA The Elex-R builds on the strengths of the excellent Brio see earlier in this article , doubling down in areas such as detail, dynamics and timing.

Think of the Brio on steroids, and you're pretty much there. In fact, our unit has been beavering away in our test room for three years and counting, and we're yet to encounter any issues. We'd avoid sources and speakers that err too far towards brightness or harshness, but otherwise this amp can't fail to shine. A great addition to almost any system. Read the full review: Rega Elex-R.

If it's smoothness, subtlety and sophistication that you're after in a stereo amp, then the Moon i has you covered. It's Moon's entry-level integrated amp, though that certainly doesn't mean it comes cheap — Moon is one of those high-end audio brands whose cheapest products are still out of the reach of many.

But it's a credit to itself that it looks and behaves like something pricier still. The curvy silver edges and two-tone effect give the amp serious presence, while the OLED screen is crisp and clear.

It sounds like a serious piece of kit, too. Bass notes have a level of detail often missed even by pricier amps, but the i doesn't feel the need to shout about it. It's an understated, yet terrifically talented, amplifier - one that puts subtlety and dynamism to the fore.

Read the full review: Moon i. The integrated amplifier dwarfs most rivals when it comes to size and weighs in at a vertebrae-crushing 46kg. Perhaps the most impressive number is that it has a huge claimed power output of watts per channel in 8 ohms, which then rises to a dizzying watts as the speaker impedance halves. The M8xi has power to burn and that shines through in its muscular and authoritative nature.

The Musical Fidelity M8xi definitely belongs on the shortlist. Read the full Musical Fidelity M8xi review. Great product, annoying name. But let's overlook the deliberate misspelling and focus on this amp's positive points. It's a fully-featured all-rounder that works superbly with a wide range of systems and across all types of musical genres.

There's plenty of connectivity, too, with balanced XLRs, single-ended line-level inputs, a moving magnet phono stage for traditionalists and a USB Type B that can cope with all manner of high-res music files. There's even aptX HD Bluetooth on board. That means you can connect it to your computer, smartphone, turntable and headphones, which is certainly a lot more versatile than some amps. Design-wise, it's a world away from minimalist. But when it comes to audio quality, the Roksan boasts impressive muscularity and enthusiasm, with plenty of scale and a lovely soundstage.

Superbly judged, with a powerful and energetic sound. Read the full review: Roksan Blak integrated amplifier. This might be an integrated amplifier, but it really is more like a separate pre- and power amplifier in a single box rather than a compromised electrical design.

Build quality is excellent. Thanks to its impressive power amp circuitry, this is an amplifier that will have no trouble driving difficult speakers to high volume levels. In other words, it's right up our alley. It might take a while to fully appreciate its understated presentation. But give it time, and come to appreciate it you will. This is a neutral, balanced delivery, served up with a stunning sense of purity and transparency.

Those difficult speakers we mentioned? They'll shake the room when pushed to high volumes. Read the full review: Luxman LX. Mark Levinson is one of the most prestigious brands in the high-end amplification space. The firm helped establish the era of high-end hi-fi in the s, and is still one of its leading proponents. So the No. It's the company's entry-level model not that you'd know it, from the price tag , and is pretty well equipped on both the analogue and digital front: you get three analogue line-level inputs, including a balanced XLR, alongside a quartet of physical digital connections.

The amp's presentation is refined, insightful and dynamic, while the feature set is admirably broad and useful. Read the full review: Mark Levinson No. What Hi-Fi? Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies.

Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.