Just would like to know

byfthalone

I am hoping this isn't a rehash of many other threads and if so let me apologize up front. I am very very new to audio...my ex would always find ways to spend my money but now that I am 59 and recently single so:

I see where you have amps and pre-amps but have no clue when and why they would be used. I thought I was really doing something by getting my Denon AVR-791 and start building from there but now I am as confused as ever. Is there a Yoda out there willing to share the secrets of the force? Wow...did I just say that?

tonyb

That would entail a pretty long answer my friend. I suggest you read up a bit, browse some threads, and ask more specific questions rather than how the universe of audio works. Generaly speaking, depends on what you want to accomplish with your system. Music or movies or both,budget, space, computer as a source, and on and on. Plenty of us old folks here like you, including myself, that have been around the block a time or two and can guide you to good sound within a budget.
That said, 59 and single ? Wouldn't want to be in those shoes,sorry about that.

byfthalone

guess I show my general lack of audio knowledge in asking such a general question. thanks though for the reply. I have begun to research, I was just curious as to the particular point that you would need an amp/pre-amp.

mhardy6647

source -> pre-amp -> power amp -> speaker -> ear -> brain.
That's pretty much the flow chart.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Maybe to get your thinking on the right foot, your receiver (Denon is a fine company, by the way) is composed of three sections. There's the preamp (this controls all the input choices, multi-channel processing, video processing, etc), the AM/FM radio section and thirdly the power amplifier section. But, as a person's desire to improve the overall sound quality and individuality changes many people begin thinking of separating these three sections into three or even four or five separate components each might be made by a different company.
Probably the most common beginning point is the power amp section. If my receiver has the proper connections I could still use my receiver for the preamp and radio but feed their signals to an external amplifier and connect my speakers to the new component.
I hope this is helpful information.
Cheers, Ken

audiocr381ve

byfthalone wrote: »

I am hoping this isn't a rehash of many other threads and if so let me apologize up front. I am very very new to audio...my ex would always find ways to spend my money but now that I am 59 and recently single so:

I see where you have amps and pre-amps but have no clue when and why they would be used. I thought I was really doing something by getting my Denon AVR-791 and start building from there but now I am as confused as ever. Is there a Yoda out there willing to share the secrets of the force? Wow...did I just say that?

Haha, funny. I'll give you the most basic breakdown possible. I also apologize if I didn't understand your post correctly.

Your Denon receiver acts as both pre-amp and amplifier, among many other things. So the good news is you have both already. The pre-amp basically prepares the incoming signal for processing by the amplifier, and I'm sure you know what the amplifier does.

What you're referring to is what's called "separates." And it's exactly as it sounds. Separating the pre-amp section and amplifier by giving them their own chassis, power supply, etc., is believed to improve the sound quality. Basically, both sections aren't sharing parts anymore which makes the source signal quality that much better. Along with separating the pre-amp and amplifier, many people buy dedicated Digital Audio Converters, CD Players, etc.

Some people buy integrated amplifiers which are a combo of a pre-amp and amplifier. Only stating the obvious, but you have a receiver which is both pre-amp and amplifier which serves a variety of other purposes such as a tuner, video processor, and digital audio converter. It is believed you get a better audio experience by separating the audio section and buying a separate pre-amp and amplifier, aka "separates."

A lot of people go through dozens of pre-amps and dozens of amps to find the perfect combo. Some people find the perfect integrated amp. Some people use receivers. Their is no right way to do it. I've done it all. I've had "separates" (NAD C162 pre and NAD C272 amp), I've owned an integrated, and currently I use a vintage Marantz 2245 receiver and love it to death. Which was the best? Whatever sounds the best to your ears. For me, this vintage Marantz is my fave.

Polkie2009

I like having separate components(amps, preamp, tuner etc..) because I'm a bit of a gearhead,lol. Tend to swap out different power amps, tuners,etc...Separates allow you to upgrade easily. Another nice thing about separate components is if something breaks on one unit,your whole system can be brought back to life by replacing that one component. If you were running a AVR and something goes down, you lose everything,lol, unless you have a backup AVR to swap out while the broken one is getting repaired:) LOL, looks like we all answered about the same time.