What Is It?
An integrated amplifier may sound complex to the neophyte, but it's really a simple concept. Think about integrated amplifiers as stereo receivers without built-in radio tuners. The integrated amplifier combines a preamplifier and amplifier into one box.
Preamplifier
To give the full picture of what the integrated amplifier does, we'll break it down into its two parts. The preamplifier is responsible for receiving and processing the audio signal from an input source such as a CD player. When the audio signal is particularly weak, as from a phono input, the preamplifier also needs to increase the voltage to line level so that the amplifier can properly accept the signal. The preamplifier section of the integrated amplifier is also where you input connections and operate controls. When you raise the volume or switch program modes you're operating the preamplifier section of the integrated amp.
Amplifier
Once the signal has been processed and sent by the preamplifier, the amplifier increases the strength of the signal significantly, giving it enough power to drive your speakers so they can effectively send sound waves via air molecules.
Considerations
An integrated amplifier is a rarer component in the stereo system. More popular are stereo receivers, which include a radio tuner for AM/FM radio and sometimes satellite radio. Alternately, more serious listeners often choose to use separate preamplifiers and amplifiers (and tuners if they want to listen to radio on their system). Some people prefer integrated amps over separates to eliminate excess connections and resulting distortions, save space, cut costs and more closely match circuitry and design. Integrated amps are largely built for two-channel (stereo) use as opposed to surround or home theater.
Tags: integrated amplifier, audio signal, preamplifier amplifier, preamplifier section, preamplifier section integrated, section integrated, stereo receivers
