Video Asylum

Posted by Eric J on March 21, 2000 at 21:07:27:

In Reply to: What is the purpose of a pre-amp.? posted by ZE on March 21, 2000 at 14:43:43:

Here is the best way to break this down. A audio video receiver is made of four basic parts, components if you will, a Pre-amplifier, a Tuner, a digital decoder and an Amplifier. The Pre-amplifier is what controls volume, input selection and tone controls, the tuner is for am/fm, the decoder converts digital signals to analog signals and the Amplifier is what amplifies the signal to the speaker.

There is many different ways you can have all of these components and in your case they are all in one box, a digital AV receiver. You do not need a pre-amp as your receiver has those capabilities built in. Their are many advantages to seperating the pre-amp, mostly noise and power supply issues. However good digital pre-amps are not cheap, they run anywhere from about $1000 upto well over $8000 and then you still need a good Amplifier(s).

I hope this answers your questions.