Confusion in the land of seperate stereos (1 Viewer)

[NickSI]

Alright guys and gals. ive been surfing HTF for almost a year now and i have learned a ton. but im still confused about a few things and that is seperates. amps pre-amps mono-blocks, etc these words are thrown around and ive googled each and still cant figure out what goes to where and why. i understand buying a reciever and putting in the speaker wire and the interconnects and such. but amps and integrated amps and such just confuse me. but i want to learn cause im very interested in HI-FI even though i don't have the money yet as i am in college. thanks in advance for the help

 

[John Garcia]

Preamp - volume control and "hub" for all your sources so you may switch from DVD to CD, etc... Has no amplifier, so you cannot get sound without a separate amp.

Pre/pro = preamp and processor - does preamp AND signal processing/decoding (for DD, DTS, etc...). Also has no amplifiier.

Integrated amp = preamp and amp only, no processing, generally stereo only.

Receiver = has preamp, processing and also amplification in one unit.

Amp - usually referrs to a separate amplifier that has no processing of any kind. Need a preamp to control volume and process any raw (digital) signals.

Monoblock = 1 channel amp.

 

[NickSI]

thanks john!! that was very comprehensive. i can hold my head high now that im informed.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

Have you read the Pimer and FAQ? This is explained along with many other things, you would probably enjoy reading that as well.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

that would be "Primer." Not sure what a Pimer is, but whatever it is I invented it

Here's the link
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=120328

 

[John Garcia]

Pimer I know it is in the primer, but I figured I could summarize pretty easily too. The Glossarry audio terminology and definitions thread might be helpful also.