The most important thing is to get an amp that provides the right amount of power. Keep in mind that the Yamaha NS10 started out as home audio speakers, so while they can handle upwards of 200 watts, you want to be careful not to overpower them. (We also use NS10 and NS10M interchangeably here since, well, the model “NS10” without an “M” really doesn’t exist, as shown in this article.)
Beyond that, you’ll find basically every NS10M owner has their own opinion on the best amp—and none of them are wrong, necessarily. It all comes down to what you want to get out of it. We’ve rounded up our favorite amps to pair with the Yamaha NS10M.
There are our recommendations for the 4 best amps for Yamaha NS10 on the market:
NS10 Power Amp 1: Yamaha A-S301BL
It stands to reason that a Yamaha speaker will sound its best powered by a Yamaha amplifier. The original vintage Natural Sound or NS amplifiers from Yamaha were made to pair with the open, singing sound of the NS10M speaker. This modern take on that classic amp design is an equally good match tonally—and has the advantage of being significantly more affordable than a vintage amplifier.
The Yamaha A-S301BL is a two-channel home audio amplifier with a subwoofer output. It provides 60 watts of power per channel, plenty to meet the needs of the NS10M. Adjusting the sound and volume is easy, both on the intuitive main interface and using the included remote.
While we do like the sophisticated look of the aluminum panel and knobs, the sound quality is definitely the most impressive part of this amplifier. It uses a sound reproduction technology known as ToP-ART that’s designed specifically for Yamaha’s home theater speakers. The anti-resonance circuitry and direct symmetrical design give you a pure, realistic sound, a perfect complement to the NS10M.
NS10 Power Amp 2: Yamaha A-S1100SL
If you’re looking for a higher-end modern Yamaha amplifier to pair with the NS10M speakers, this A-S1100SL is an excellent choice. It offers more power than the amplifier above—up to 90 watts per side—giving you a sound that’s both louder and fuller, truly taking full advantage of the potential of the NS10M.
The MOSFET power supply employed in the A-S1100SL (see full specs) is really its best feature. This translates into a more dynamic and responsive sound that’s well-balanced throughout the frequency range. Like other Yamaha amps, the power is balanced and symmetrical. It’s also completely floated, eliminating ground noise and voltage fluctuation from the equation.
The design of this amplifier is solid, as well. The level indicators on the front are a nice touch, and it’s easy to find your way around the control panel. About all we could find to complain about is the weight. This is a hefty amplifier, at just over 50 pounds—about what you’d expect considering the power, but definitely more designed to leave in your living room than to take on the road. With that limitation in mind though, this is doubtless one of the best amps for Yamaha NS10 around.
NS10 Power Amp 3: Crown Power Xli2500
Just because you have a Yamaha speaker doesn’t mean you need to use a Yamaha amplifier. If you look up the best amplifier pairings for a Yamaha NS10M, you’ll likely see Crown’s name nearly as often as Yamaha’s. The XLi2500 (see full specs) is a powerful modern amplifier with two bridgeable channels and up to 500 watts of power per channel, far more than you’ll ever need with this speaker.
Crown is an especially popular brand with venues and live sound engineers. If you plan to use the NS10M as stage monitors, an amplifier like this one is the kind you’ll want to look for. The higher wattage is the main reason—the Crown XLi2500 will do much better job producing the volume levels you need on-stage.
All the modern design touches on the Crown XLi2500 are what make it an excellent value for venues and home audio enthusiasts alike. A forced air cooling system protects against overheating, and it’s one of the few amplifiers in this price point to offer variable sensitivity. It’s a unit built for power and performance, and it delivers on that promise.
NS10 Power Amp 4: Fosi Audio 2 Channel HD-A1
If your budget has you looking for a dirt-cheap option, don’t fret. You can still find true audiophile-level sound at a low price point thanks to Fosi Audio, the creators of the impressive HD-A1 amp.
The Fosi HD-A1 is designed for home audio. The sturdy aluminum casing makes it road-worthy, though, especially considering it weighs just 9 pounds—definitely the most portable amplifier on the list. The flip side of this is it only provides 50 watts of power for each speaker. This is ideal for the NS10M in a home context but won’t give them enough output for use in larger venues.
Really, though, the focus of the Fosi HD-A1 is on the quality of the sound, not the quantity. It gives you true Hi-Fi sound that’s smooth and balanced with no extraneous noise. No matter what kind of music you listen to, this amp/speaker combination will do it justice at an affordable price. For the money, this is one of the best amps for Yamaha NS10 for sure.
What’s the Best Wattage for the Yamaha NS10m?
You’ll find a lot of different advice about how much power you should put into these speakers. Some people will tell you 50 watts per side is the most you should put through them. Others will advise you to give each speaker at least 200 watts to properly power them.
The main reason for this discrepancy is that people use these speakers for different purposes. For the original home audio intent, the lower wattage will honestly give you a better, more pure sound. If you’re using it as a stage monitor, a higher power output will be more appropriate.
Deciding how you’re going to use the speakers is your first step when you’re choosing an amplifier. Matching the overall output to your intended use will guide your decision. From there, it’s just finding the one that fits your budget, and each of the above, in its own special way, qualifies as the best amp for Yamaha NS10. Best of luck finding the perfect amp for these iconic speakers!
Would you recommend the ns10s be paired with a crown xli 800? Or would the crown xli 2500 be better some how?