Preamp is an amplifier too, right???

Seems strange no one mentioned that in the days of vinyl only, the preamp had two basic and indispensable functions: to amplify the very small signal coming from a cartridge and to equalize it to the RIAA curve. Preamps seemed more of a "real" component to me in those days than the line stages today that are, more or less, required with higher output sources such as CD, DVD and SACD. I kind of liked the term Yamaha used years ago of a "control amplifier" since it is where the other components are plugged into and where you have the controls.

I agree Pbb. The differences between a preamp with a phono stage ( a "real" preamp to me ) and the active line stages / passive line stages of today all seem to blend together due to a blurring of terminology. I'm sure that there are others that feel the same way and i bet that we all share a common age bracket : ) Sean
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above by Mythtrip>>>No one ever talks about preamplifier power, yet thats what it does, right?

The pre amp is misnamed as it is an amplifier but not a "power amp."

Pre and the first stage of an amp generally are voltage amplification. Power (current) usually the final (output) stage of the amp.

I agree with Pbb and Sean above.

I remain,

Preamps depending on their circuit topology (and there are few ways to design an input driver) can produce an output power(especially ss-preamps).
There are also SS-preamps(base- or gate- coupled output stages) that do increase voltage in very-small sacrifice to current thus still able to increase power as well.
I did an experiment just like Sean mentioned by simply connecting an output transformer to Bryston B11 preamp and than to small monitor speakers(only to play with) and it worked but clipped not even reaching 12 o'clock...
An output power tube basically has a very large output impedance thus also mainly amplifies voltage. It certainly requires either transformer or reverse-polarity load(negative feedback) as it's done with OTL.

Sogood: jealousy is a bad thing. If a guy wants to experiment with different combinations of equipment, what's the harm?