What do these terms mean? People new to home theater and home audio are often stumped by the many terms used in the industry, and “receiver”, “amplifier”, “pre-amplifier”, “tuner”, “integrated amp”, and “preamp/processor” are some related terms that need to be understood.
Tuner
First, what is a tuner? A tuner is something that tunes in radio stations. It grabs radio signals from the air and puts them out for use by a different audio component. Normally, you hook up an antenna to a tuner to improve its reception. Typically a tuner is part of another piece of hardware and is not sold separately, but that is not always the case. Sometimes a standalone tuner is required.
Amplifier
An amplifier takes a line-level signal (like the one coming out of your CD player or tuner) and amplifies it. Hence the name. It amplifies the signal for use by speakers. Conceivably, you could hook up your CD player’s outputs directly to an amplifier, then hook up your speakers to the amplifier, and you’d hear your music. The problem is that you would have no way of controlling the bass, treble, volume, or anything else. The Linn 5125 is an amplifier.
Preamplifier
A preamplifier (or preamp for short) goes in front of the amplifier in the signal chain, hence the name. It goes between your CD player and the amplifier. The preamp has a volume control, bass and treble controls, and allows you to switch between different components like your CD player, tuner, tapedeck, or whatever. A preamp is typically an audio-only affair, though it doesn’t have to be.
Preamp/Processor
A pre/pro is basically a preamp, but because preamps today typically do a lot of signal processing for surround formats like Dolby Digital and DTS, the name preamp/processor has come into vogue. Pre/pros often do video signal processing and switching as well. The Anthem D2 is a good example of a preamp/processor.
Integrated Amplifier
An integrated amplifier is just a preamp and and amp stuck together into the same piece of equipment. Most integrated amps are rather simple, allowing you to switch between several audio components, change the volume, bass, and treble, and does little else. I have one with my computer setup, so that I can listen to music or my computer easily. I don’t listen to the radio at home, so the lack of a tuner isn’t missed. Conceivably, I could buy a tuner and hook it up to my integrated amp, should I want to listen to the radio.
Receiver
A receiver is just a tuner, a pre/pro, and an amplifier all stuck together into the same piece of equipment. Basically, it’s the alternative to buying a separate integrated amp and tuner. Typically, receivers these days include many preprocessor functions like decoding home theater surround formats like DTS and DD (Dolby Digital). The Denon 4806 is a good example of a receiver.
So that’s it! If you have any other home theater or home audio terms you’d like clarified, please contact me. See also Steve’s comments on Henning’s HT Story for more about pre/pros and amplifiers.
