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

Showing 6 responses by hifihvn

Each separate component has its own sound, and capabilities sonically, and mechanically (flexibility).

An integrated, or receiver, can be good for someone who likes the sound of everything ( each individual section)and flexibility it does.

I'll try to keep it simple with the three you mentioned:

The preamp has its own sound, certain types of needed inputs for everything you want to connect to it. A preamp is needed whether it's separate, or part of the integrated, or receiver.

The power amp section has its own sound, and output power limits to drive different types of speakers, or more than one pair if needed. It can be picked out to drive very demanding speakers an integrated, or receiver can't. In some cases, a power amp may not need a preamp, but it would need a volume control, and possibly a selector for multiple inputs like a preamp would have.

Every tuner has its own sound, and signal performance, and other features whether presets, or other preferred items.

Then you can get specialized. If you need a super good tuner for distant stations, or live in an area where the station you like has another one interfering with it. The separate tuner may out perform a receivers tuner, if this would be the case.

For the amplifier section. A separate amp can be picked out
to drive very demanding speakers, a receiver or integrated can't.

Then you could get more extreme (or specialized/custom) and mix tubes and solid state for sonic reasons, plus more variable capabilities and limits each type has.

You could use a strong tuner for a distant station, and low powered integrated, if you don't need the power for loud listening, or certain types of demanding speakers, for one example of using separates.

The list could almost be limitless for our personal preferences for all of each of individual component we choose limits for our preference.

So, if a receiver does everything to your satisfaction, you shouldn't need more. The same for an integrated if you don't need a tuner.
My amp is a Heathkit because that's the name of the company and they made very high quality kits.
Johnnyb53
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the "Heathkit" amps from that time frame may have been made by Harman Kardon.
Heathkit itself probably made the amp parts.
Could have. But, in the past, they used transformers from companies like Acrosound, Peerless, UTC, and other upper brand transformers in their well known amps, that collectors seek. Sometimes they seek their old amps for these parts made by other companies. Not all of their products were kits. Even some of the speakers made by JBL.
The AA-1600 was one of the first amps to take transient intermodulation distortion (TIM) into account.
It seems they may not have been the leader in seeking ways to measure and work on this. [http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=10255]
Maybe the good old no-feedback design was right in the first place.
Oh yes, Allied, Lafayette, Radio Shack, and others had amps and other products made for them also.