Part #2-What Are You Talking About?

Last week we started our series in reviewing various audio and video terms to help our clients discuss their systems with their service providers. Last week we started with inputs, this week it’s receivers and amplifiers. To start, we need to understand that receivers have built-in amplifiers; there are amplifiers that have multiple inputs, and there are amplifiers that simply supply power to your speakers. Receivers are the 2nd step along the audio video path to your eyes and ears and allow you to select the proper input. All of the inputs connect directly to your receiver. Today’s HDMI cables carry both the audio and video from the components to the receiver. In addition to the receiver’s powered speaker outputs, the receiver has an A/V output that connects to your TV. The receiver’s speaker outputs connect directly to your speakers. Be careful not to connect more speakers than your receiver allows. Doing so, will damage your receiver. Many receivers have AM/FM tuners and many newer receivers have Bluetooth and streaming music capability. Amplifiers provide power to your speakers and apply to audio systems. A standard amplifier connects to your receiver for a source. A newer Wi-Fi amplifier connects to your Wi-Fi network for audio sources such as streaming music or other components connected to your network. Phone apps provide source selection for these amplifiers. Systems with multiple music zones require multiple amplifiers, either single one room amplifiers, one per zone, or a multi-channel amplifier, one channel per speaker. In a few designs, there are pre-amps. Pre-amps are basically receivers without amplifier capability. Please visit our website at www.wbsouth.com.