Difference of Amplifier and Receiver? (1 Viewer)

[Ryan Cruz]

In the Denon Asia site, there are two categories, one are for A/V Receivers, and one for A/V Amplifiers? How different are these two?

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

I don't know what Denon's distrinction is in this case but...

A receiver is an integrated audio device which includes a processor (for decoding digital audio, bass management), a pre amplifier stage (volume control, tone control, etc), and an amplifier stage (amplifying the audio signal for speaker output).

A strict amplifier does not include a processor or preamp stage- and it expects you to simply feed it finished signal to be amplified. You must have an external preamp device to decode and regulate the signal, and then you feed it to the amplifier which amplifies the siganl.

-V

 

[Brian Fellmeth]

In other words, a receiver is an amplifier plus a preamp and decoder. Like a swiss army knife, everything in one box. You've perhaps seen the term "prepro". This stands for preamp-processor. A prepro plus an amplifier = a receiver. Your next question is probably "why would anyone buy an amplifier and a prepro when a receiver cost less". 98% of users don't- they just get a receiver and be done with it. Extremists, the last 2%, like to have each job done by a specialist.

 

[Ryan Cruz]

oh alright. thanks guys

 

[Yee-Ming]

I believe in the UK, Denon sells the AVC-1SR (SE?) and AVC-11, which I think are roughly equivalent to the US 5802 and 4802 receivers, but without the tuner sections. since they can't "receive" radio, they're called amplifiers.

perhaps that's the difference, in this particular case?

 

[Michael WB]

Yee-Ming is right. A receiver includes a tuner the amp doesn't but it still includes the processor. An amp without the processor would be a power-amp or for surround a multichannel poweramp.