Pros and Cons of Amplifiers (Separates) Pros of Amplifiers
Must Replace the Entire Unit when Upgrading – Upgrading a receiver is not very cost-efficient there isn’t really a way to upgrade individual parts, so you have to purchase a completely new unit.This means that if you have a large set of speakers, it might not be able to put out enough power to make them work. Since it has to share the space with all of the other components there’s not enough room for one. Usually a Lower Quality Amplifier – Though the quality of receiver amps is definitely increasing, you still don’t have a completely dedicated amp with a receiver.
The more convenient and full package is a receiver since it comes with more functions than an amplifier, and all the other components are already built-in, right? Well, that’s true in some cases, there are cases where an amplifier might be the better choice for you. It may seem like a no-brainer to pick the receiver, there’s actually more factors you should consider before making your final choice! Receivers vs Amplifiers (Separates) So the question of amplifiers vs receivers is really separates vs receivers.
You’re going to need a preamp/processor, the amplifier itself, and the speakers to make the system work (more answers to preamp questions in our article). When you use a standalone amplifier, it isn’t really standalone. This is necessary because, without an amplified signal, you won’t get enough power to make your speakers work.īut when asking the question of amplifiers vs receivers, you’re not just asking if you should buy an amplifier or a receiver, because you’re going to need more than just an amplifier to make your setup work. Standalone AmplifiersĪn amplifier is just a device that takes a small signal, and amplifies it, or creates a larger replica of it, and then outputs it. Not only that, but there are multiple types of receivers to choose from as well. Though a receiver is definitely more convenient, there are benefits to using an amplifier. So a receiver is pretty much just an amplifier that comes with more functions? So why shouldn’t you just buy a receiver instead of an amplifier? When you talk about amps vs receivers, you’re really talking about whether you should buy a system where all of the components(the amp, the preamp, the tuner, etc) are separate and self-contained, usually called separates, or if you want a receiver which keeps all of the components together in one device. A receiver has an amplifier in it, but has extra functionalities such as a tuner, preamp, radio, input selection, volume controls, and more. So is a receiver the same as an amplifier? An amplifier is just a device that takes an audio signal and amplifies it so that your speakers can use it to play the audio. But there is a difference between them, so before you make the choice for your own entertainment system, you should probably know the basics at least. It’s not a surprise that this is a confusing topic, as these terms are thrown around pretty interchangeably. “Do I need an amplifier or a receiver? Aren’t they the same thing?” So you’ve decided to set up your own home theater system, and now you’ve come to a bump in the road.