What is an amplifier?
The amplifier is a necessary component in any form of sound reproduction, wherever sound is reproduced there will naturally be an amplifier circuit. As the name suggests, the amplifier's task is to amplify a given signal from a given source, be it the signal from a CD player, streamer, record player or the like. The signals from these sources are in themselves quite weak and therefore need to be amplified in order to be converted into audible sound.
Roughly speaking, an amplifier consists of two essential components, a preamplifier part and an effect part. The task of the preamplifier part is to convert the signals from the source into a language the power amplifier part can understand so that it is then able to amplify the signal further to your speakers.
The job of the power amplifier is to amplify the signal from the preamplifier and send this amplified signal on to your speakers. The more powerful the power amplifier, the louder and louder you can play. In other words, you can say that the preamplifier part is the brain of the amplifier, and the power part is correspondingly the muscles.
There are several different types of amplifiers, and in principle they all perform the same task. Namely, converting signals and at the same time amplifying these into audible sound.
Integrated amplifier
The integrated amplifier is the most used and well-known type of amplifier we know, and it contains both preamplifier and power amplifier part in one and the same device. All the different sources you may have in your system are connected to the integrated amplifier, but also the speaker cables are connected here to be able to send the sound on to your speakers.
Every integrated amplifier is equipped with a so-called volume control, through which you adjust the volume to the desired level. There are different variants of the integrated amplifier, some are more powerful and larger than others, and some are equipped with both DAC and "streaming modules". This means that, in principle, you can make do with just one device to play music in cooperation with your speakers.
Preamplifier & power amplifier
Here, technically, the integrated amplifier is divided into two devices. The preamplifier collects the signals from the sources and simultaneously acts as a control center, where adjustments are made in setups and adjustment to the volume, etc. This is where all your sources are connected, such as CD player, network player, record player, TV and the like.
The task of the power amplifier is to provide the forces required to convert the preamplifier's signal from the sources into the audible sound that ends up in the speakers. The performance of a power amplifier is measured in Watts. Put simply, this is an expression of how loud and powerful you can play. The more watts, the louder the sound. As I said, this is a slightly simplified explanation, since the amount of current behind the declared watts also determines the powers of the power amplifier.
Here it is more about choosing the right amplifier in combination with the right speakers. It is your speakers that determine how powerful a power amplifier you need.nSome speakers require more current/power than others, and therefore it is important to look more closely at the speakers' specifications before choosing your power amplifier.
When should you choose separate preamplifier and power amplifier?
From a purely technical and sound point of view, there can be several advantages in dividing the integrated amplifier into two devices. You thereby get two separate power supplies which often produce a better sound because the sensitive components in the preamplifier are not disturbed to the same degree as the often noisy power supply from the power section. Additionally, there may be a sonic advantage in a few other sensitive components in the preamp separate from the power section. A split amplifier set also provides greater flexibility, as here it is possible to replace either the front or the power amplifier separately for a different type or brand.
Although the separate pre/power amplifier set is often described as more ambitious and better sounding than the integrated amplifier, this is not always the case. Here, of course, it is also a question of the manufacturer's skills and of course also the quality of the amplifiers. In general, however, the separate amplifier set has technical advantages that, if done correctly, produce better sound than the integrated solution.
5 Tips before choosing an amplifier
1). What are your music playback needs? Do you often listen to music and greatly appreciate that the sound quality is top notch, and do you simultaneously want and have the opportunity to listen to your music at realistic volume levels, or do you simply need background music or to listen to the radio in everyday life.
2). How do you want to listen your music. Do you only want to play your CD collection once in a while, or are you into vinyl records? Are you interested in playing your music through the various streaming services and therefore want a compact solution for this.
3). Which speakers do you want to use and of what quality are these. Should it be small compact speakers or larger floor speakers. This is a very important factor when choosing a suitable amplifier.
4). What sound do you want? Are you into big realistic top-class rock concert sound where juice and power are required, or are you more into classical or acoustic music.
5). Choose an amplifier that, purely in terms of price, is justified in relation to the rest of your system.
Feel free to listen to the amplifier together with the selected speakers before making a decision, and use professionals if in doubt. You cannot read how a given amplifier plays together with the selected speakers.
The different amplifier types
There are many different amplifier types that use different technologies to achieve a specific sound signature.
Class A and A/B amplifiers
The traditional class A/B amplifier or class A amplifier that we typically know by using the well-known transformer and large charging capacity is still the most widespread technology. This type of amplifier has been tested and refined over decades, and many enthusiasts still swear by this solution. However, these types often get hot, and therefore suffer a loss of power compared to a class D variant. This is of course what they are designed for. These types are typically a bit warmer in their playing style than the Class D amps.
Class D amplifier
The newer class D technology, which is built without the well-known transformer, has gradually won greater and greater recognition, and in these years is on the rise worldwide. These have certain technical advantages over the typical class A/B amplifier. In short, there are fewer components in the amplifier that do not use a transformer, but instead calculate themselves when it needs power. This generally results in less noise and less loss of power. A class D amplifier is often characterized by being fast, and at the same time resolved and neutral in its reproduction, at the same time a class D amplifier emits virtually no heat.
Tube amplifiers
Tube amplifiers are a less common amplifier type that uses tubes to create an effect and at the same time a typical warm and fluid sound signature. This type of amplifier is often used by audiophiles who want exactly this warm and fluid sound.
A tube amplifier is often used in conjunction with a set of lightly driven speakers. With this type of amplifier, it is possible to change the sound as needed in the form of replacing the various tubes in the construction, but this generally requires both knowledge and experience, and things like bias adjustment and tube replacement are not a task for Mr and Mrs Denmark.
In addition to the types mentioned here, there are also the so-called hybrid amplifiers, these typically use a mixture of the aforementioned technologies to achieve a special sound signature. You should be able to find out which amplifier you need by reading the above and, of course, with advice and guidance from our competent professionals from Lydspecialisten.
We are always ready to help you find the right amplifier for you and your needs.