Receivers and Amps. What is the difference?

pklin
pklin Posts: 7
edited March 2004 in Electronics
Hello all,

I am completely new to the home audio or the component audio world in general, and am confused as to the difference between Receivers and Amplifiers, besides the fact that Receivers accepts a lot more inputs and is not solely for driving the speakers. Can anyone please explain to me, why some people use just the receiver, use the receiver and amplifiers, or sometimes just the amplifiers? Also, what is a pre-amp.? Thanks much in advance.

Pete
Post edited by pklin on
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited March 2004
    A receiver typically contains a tuner, pre-amp & amp.

    The pre-amp is the part that accepts inputs from other devices. The amp is the part that drives the speakers.

    These components can also be bought as what are usually referred to as separates. Separates offer more flexibility and much higher quality alternatives.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited March 2004
    Just adding to PW's excellant reply:

    Most people will agree that the amplifiers in receivers are not near the quality of those in dedicated amplifiers. There are also many that will say that separating your tuner and corresponding antenna (even if not in use) from your power amps is a very good thing.

    1) Most preamps are 2-ch. These can be had fairly cheap.
    2) A preamp that will do DD/DTS is often referred to as a pre/pro - preamp/processor. These are usually quite expensive.
    3) A receiver with DD/DTS ability can be had fairly cheap and many have pre-outs (to which you can connect "better" amplifiers) can be a middle ground.
    4) Most people that have receivers connected to external amplifiers have "upgraded" from their previous level.
    5) I honestly believe that; depending on the speakers used and finances allowed, a receiver may be the better choice. It gives you all the features and the minuses are small. IMHO, the connections are shorter and less variable than if you had to run interconnect/patch cables. If you plan on upgrading get a receiver with pre-outs for all channels just in case you get bitten by the upgrade bug.
    5b) I also am of the opinion that some speakers cannot reach their full potential (especially some Polks) with a majority of modern day receivers.

    A little help as to your room size, budget, speakers, listening tastes, etc. would help.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2004
    good work guys.. but pklin, you may also run into a integrated amp... that's where it's an amp and a pre amp in one unit. then all you would need to add would be a tuner. (and speakers of course)

    I think you'll find that most of the general public probably uses a receiver, it's an all in one.. and in recent years.. they have done wonders it coming very close to that of seperates.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited March 2004
    For 2-ch, I've been listening to a very sexy Sansui integrated. Sure it's vintage with a walnut case and quality components, but it sounds good.

    Then again I've been looking at a few pre/tuners too.;)
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • pklin
    pklin Posts: 7
    edited March 2004
    Hi guys,

    Thanks so much for all the great information! Now I don't feel so much in the dark when people talk about pre/pro or amp. setups ;) I had posted in the speaker section about what I should get for my new home theatre, if you guys get a chance please drop by and help me out, again! :p Just a recap from that thread:

    Room size: 19'4" L x 14'3" W x 9'0" H

    Home Theater budget: around $3,000.00

    Movies watched mostly: action, science fiction

    Musics listened to mostly: classical, choral, jazz

    Receiver currently own: Yamaha R-V98 5.1 (Old)

    Receiver wanted: Onkyo TXNR-901 7.1 Digital

    Sorry for this long winded list :p Any info would be greatly appreciated.

    Pete
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2004
    So nobody says what the things are. Kids.

    A preamp is the "brain" and the power amp is the "brawn" of a receiver or integrated amp.

    The preamp stage is far more than the part that accepts inputs. Every single adjustment or decision you make when listening to a recording (short of changing radio stations) is related to the preamp stage. Input source selection, tape switching, tone controls, volume control, are all part of the preamp stage.

    The power amp stage is a dumb brute that accepts commands from the preamp stage (volume knob) to either make more or less sound. That's it.

    The AM/FM tuner stage of a receiver is just that. The radio portion only. You select what radio station signal gets sent to the preamp stage and then downstream to the power amp stage.

    An integrated amp has no radio section. If you want one, it has to be added in the form of a separate AM/FM tuna.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)
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