What is a amplifier in your home theater for?

Question

I'm interested in upgrading to a very good home theater and I know a lot of what too look for in Receivers but what exactly is a Amplifier for in your home theater system?? And how do you hook one up?

Answer 1

Every AV receiver has multiple amplifiers inside. An amplifier simply takes the low voltage signal coming out of a source (like a CD player, or a cable box) and turns it into a different higher voltage that makes speakers do what they need to do, and that is "move air" to make sound.

So if you get a good AV receiver, you won't need any separate amplifiers. Unless you want to go all audiophile with your bad self. Some people buy a good AV receiver and never use the internal amplifiers, they only use the receivers as pre-amplifiers (as a surround sound decoder) and send every channel out of the pre-amp side to separate outboard dedicated amplifiers. They think this sounds better.

They are doofy. They are no longer enjoying the movie and are all caught up in "how it sounds." Great. As in, "Hey, that's great there... hope you're having a good time."

Meanwhile, you, the smarter of the two, has found an AV receiver that fits your budget and is already having a great time enjoying the movies and music, while the other dude is still tweaking around with his amplifiers.

Answer 2

Hi there.A Receiver is an Amplifier in your home theater .A Receiver is made up of three sections: Tuner,Preamplifier Processor, and a number of Power Amplifiers .All these together in the one unit are called a Receiver. You can also purchase the three components separately which usually gives you a better quality sound from your speakers.In any audio system the signal is passed down a chain.Sound travels from the Source components (DVD or CD player,VCR, Satellite etc.) to the Surround Sound Processing Preamplifier also known as the Control Preamplifier. Audio and Video signals are sent to the Preamp which selects the input source (picking which source you want to listen to or watch.) processes the sound and controls the amount of power the Power Amplifiers give to the speakers.The surround processor that is built into the Preamp.takes the audio signals from the Source components (DVD,CD Player, VCR, Satellite etc.) and directs them to the appropriate Power Amplifiers.Any small error by the Preamp.,such as noise,distortion,or harshness,will be multiplied when the Power Amplifiers make a bigger copy and send it to the Speakers.Preamplifiers are the heart of the system.
The Power Amplifiers receive the signals that are sent to them,make a larger copy and send them to the speakers where they are reproduced as sound.Simply the amplifiers control the speakers.

There are a variety of Surround Receivers on the market, however they are all limited by the use of one power supply.That one power supply must power the AM/FM Tuner,the Preamplifier section and amplification of 7 or more channels.The classic case of trying to do too much in one box.If you want High Fidelity sound with your video ,a Receiver is not the way to go.A separate Surround Sound Preamplifier and 5 or more individual Power Amplifiers each with its own power supply will give you what is not possible with a Receiver,but naturally at a higher cost.
If you decide on a Receiver,then make sure it has a good solid power supply. Check that it has discrete output amplifier sections.And make sure it is easy to operate.If you can't walk up to it and work basic functions without reading the manual,don't buy it. I hope this has been of some help to you and that i explained it to you in an uncomplicated manner

Answer 3

First off Rod I don't like the insinuation that since I have a separates system that I am doofey!

But in general the other posts are correct. A receiver is a amp for speakers.

The Right SYSTEM dependent of the speakers and other components will require the kind of power a discrete amp can provide.

But a great system can be had with the right speakers, receiver and source devices.

Make sure to set a budget, audition everything you want to get with what you already have, and make sure to use good interconnects ( my 10% rulle works every time) protect your investment with a power conditoner and have fun!!

Answer 4

Well the amplifier is what drives the speakers. Aka makes the signal from your sources loud enough to be heard. Now most of you entry to even some high end home theater receivers have integrated amps in them so all you need to do is hook up your speakers to it and configure it. The higher end systems will have a pre-amp to process the sound and then send it to the amp. If your looking for a good home theater system go to a CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) dealer www.cedia.net , they will help you find what your looking for.

Answer 5

Most receivers have amps (amplification) built-in. This can lead to some distortion from heat and interference.

High end receivers are pre-amps. They draw power from a separate amp. This gives you cleaner sound, and often access to more power (watts).

You could even get a separate amp for each Chanel (i.e. 7 amps to power a Dolby 6.1 pre-amp receiver.

Plus it looks cool to have all those amps!