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Why amps, pre-amps, integrated amps???

OK, having thusfar asked questions on this forum that have exposed me to the odd raised eyebrow and snicker for my gross audio ignorance, I shall go farther still, and venture to ask: What, exactly, are amps, pre-amps, and integrated amps??. More to the point, what, exactly, is their purpose; what do they do? And why do pre-amps and amps still exist comfortably in the audio market when you can get them combined as an integrated amp?? I just don't get it. Would much appreciate your learned revelations - after, of course, you've finished with your hoots, knee-slaps, and cat-calls.
georgester
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
Johnnyb53 has got it right. The power supplies are the big issue- that and the way the grounds are set up. It is very easy to get crosstalk in integrated amps, in a way similar to to the way ground loops occur.

It is possible to build an integrated that gets around this, and if it is done, you will see a separate power transformer for each channel. If you don't see that in the integrated then you will be able to find separates that out-performs it.

I find that the main advantage of separates is the setup of the system. Its to your advantage to keep your speaker cables short- it can have a huge effect on impact and definition. Monoblock amplifiers allow just that, and especially if your preamp can drive long interconnects, you can place the preamp and the front end components in the room where they are least affected by bass, have the best WAF, or are the most convenient.

Integrated amps force you to place the amp between the speakers, often with longer speaker cables which means that even a great integrated may not be able to strut its stuff simply on account of longer speaker cables!
erikt
268 posts
 
^^^^^

You are talking about separate separates! :-)

Again...just saying "separates" are better that integrateds is meaningless (cuz there are mid to lo fi separates and hi end integrated) - everything matters so it all depends on specifics.

You gotta do your homework and you gotta get your ears on for real listening.

The big fat paint brush doesn't work in audio
levy03
442 posts
 
all of the audiophile world exists to take as much of your money as possible. that would include the components you mention along with everything else we talk about here.

feel better now? =)
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
"Hi end" audio is all about diminishing returns. All separate and mono blocks yield the ultimate audio when this is what your ears require, and you listen to music enough to justify the expense.

I'm sure separate power supplies have a lot to do with this. Turning AC into DC is what "black silent" background is all about.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Georgester, these are some very good posts with few contradictions. I think they all contribute to the total picture.
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