Are preamps and receivers same with respect to sound processing? Can any one please help in knowing them. I also have some other doubts and they r listed below.
There are three stages to sound processing. One is the play of the media whether you use a turntable, a tape drive, a CD, or other devices. The playing devices send the audio signals at very low voltage usually measured in milli or micro volts. This sound signal is taken and enhanced by the next device, the pre-amplifier. The pre-amplifier inputs the sound signal from the playing device, amplifies it to roughly 2 volts, and sends the pre-amplified signal to the next device - the power amplifier. The power amplifier again amplifies the signal by supplying a large current gain and takes it to a level that can drive the speakers attached. This is measured is Watts.
What I have mentioned above refers to a single channel of sound. There is also an additional step of digital to analogue conversion (DAC) that can be done by the playing device, or the pre-amplifier.
In a stereo systems, a pre amp and a power amp operate on two channels at the same time.
In a multichannel systems that is used in movies, the pre-amplifier operates on 6, 7, or 8 (sometimes 12) channels at the same time, In additional the pre-amplifier decodes audio codes held in the DVD Media, and also decodes video signals. To void confusion, the pre-amplifiers used in multi channel systems are called sound processors.
The multi channel sound processor, then sends 6, 7, or 8 analogue pre-amplified signals to the multi channel power amplifier that amplifies each channel separately and sends them to the respective speaker.
A box that contains both the pre-amplifier and the power amplifier in one unit is called an Integrated Amplifier.
An integrated amp that has a pre-amp, a power amp, and a radio receiver is called a receiver. A receiver could be a two channel receiver, or a multi channel receiver. A Multi channel receiver is usually referred to as Audi-Video Receiver or AVR.
Does Integrated Amp sounds the same as Preamp + Power Amp combo.
In the olden days, it was generally believed that combining pre and power amplifiers would lead to cross talk and interference. Audiophiles preferred to keep the pre and power amps separate and connect them through external interconnect cables.
Modern receivers are very advanced units with high levels of protection from all interference. For most budget and mid range systems, it will be difficult to differentiate between separate pre and power amps, and a integrated unit. In the high end, pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers are yet available as independent units. The cost generally doubles or triples when you configure your systems this way.
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