Amp's and preAmp's?

[xtreme02gt]

Can someone please tell me what you would use these for? My speakers will hold 100w each and my reciver puts 105w to each speaker, so why would someone need a amp? And what dose a pre-amp do?

[joegs300]

Good thread, OP. I am a little confused about this too.

[Hammie]

Here is my layman's definitions.

A receiver is a device that consists of both a Pre-Amp and an Amp on one nice package.

A Pre-Amp is a device that has all of the connectors and processing components.

An Amp is a device that amplifies the signal from the Pre-amp to the speakers.

I'm sure others will expand on my post if necessary.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I'm sure others will expand on my post if necessary.

I'd say you covered it quite nicely.

[Oddiophile]

A receiver is a one box solution that has the processing and amplification in one chassis. A con of this approach is the ten pounds of sh*t in a five pound bag theory. You only have so much space to work with so by design engineers are limited to how complicated they can make them and how much stuff they can pack into them. Typically receiver only average half there rated power, so if you have a 100 watt X 7 receiver your only sending around 50 watts of power to your speakers.

Separates are a two chassis solution. The Preamp does all the processing and video switching, the amp is just that a separate amp. Being a two box solution designers can get more creative in what they can do, like bigger transformers, more complicated circuit boards, etc.

Separates are more expensive then receivers but IMO are superior in sound. A lot of people judge a receiver or amp by it's watts but its the current output that really drives your speakers. More current more thump, it's like in cars, Torque gets you going, horsepower keeps you going. Receivers do not putout a lot of current. If you want to take your system to the next level, look to separates for Superior processing and amplification.

I made the switch to separates about 6 years ago and don't plan on going back to a receiver.

[Opips2]

a consumer don't know about there a recevice has or not it pre-amp. If want it then your receiver sell it. A smart consumer know about receiver has pre-amp and in the future buy amplifier for large home theatre.

have enjoy watch a movie and less worry about that.

[xtreme02gt]

Originally Posted by Oddiophile

A receiver is a one box solution that has the processing and amplification in one chassis. A con of this approach is the ten pounds of sh*t in a five pound bag theory. You only have so much space to work with so by design engineers are limited to how complicated they can make them and how much stuff they can pack into them. Typically receiver only average half there rated power, so if you have a 100 watt X 7 receiver your only sending around 50 watts of power to your speakers.

Separates are a two chassis solution. The Preamp does all the processing and video switching, the amp is just that a separate amp. Being a two box solution designers can get more creative in what they can do, like bigger transformers, more complicated circuit boards, etc.

Separates are more expensive then receivers but IMO are superior in sound. A lot of people judge a receiver or amp by it's watts but its the current output that really drives your speakers. More current more thump, it's like in cars, Torque gets you going, horsepower keeps you going. Receivers do not putout a lot of current. If you want to take your system to the next level, look to separates for Superior processing and amplification.

I made the switch to separates about 6 years ago and don't plan on going back to a receiver.

Very Nice! Thank you.

So the pre-amp has the HDMI slots? So you would plug all your stuff into the pre-amp first, and then from the pre-amp to the amp, and the then from the amp to your TV? Right?

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by Hammie

Here is my layman's definitions.

A receiver is a device that consists of both a Pre-Amp and an Amp on one nice package.

A Pre-Amp is a device that has all of the connectors and processing components.

An Amp is a device that amplifies the signal from the Pre-amp to the speakers.

I'm sure others will expand on my post if necessary.

The receiver also has a built in tuner........

An integrated amp has the pre-amp circuitry and an on board amp (No Tuner)