An amplifier is a device which takes the lowtransmit signals to the speakers.
A periphery component to an amplifier is a preamp. Preamps originally served to work with the low quality signals produced early on in the technology. They applied filters and controls to cut the noise out of most signals. Today, preamps are generally useless except as volume equalizers. Most true audiophiles agree that the fewer filters and controls in the circuit, the better.
Amplifier Options
Amplifiers are rated according to their maximum power output expressed in Watts (W). The more powerful the amplifier, the more powerful (loud and nuanced) the sound it can output. However, speakers must be rated to accept that power, so a setup with a 5000W amp, and five 50W speakers, will not make full use of the amplifiers capabilities. Figure out what the power rating of your speakers are and shop for an amplifier that provides power somewhere in that range.
Here are some searches for amps by power rating:
!
* 500 W Amps
* 1000 W Amps
** 500 W - 1000 W is about right for a relatively powerful home system
* 2000 W Amps
* 3000 W Amps
* 4000 W Amps
* 5000 W Amps
** With a 5000 W amplifier, be prepared to piss off the neighbors
** Commercial users are most common here, with applications for really big, open, or outdoor spaces
Also, for audiophiles, you might be interested in shopping for systems according to manufacturer. The longtime industry leader and developer in the majority of audio applications is a company called Bose. Their equipment tends to be more expensive, but often worth the price for the dedicated audiophile. Boss and Yamaha are two other companies with great quality products.
* Bose Amps
* Boss Amps
* Yamaha Amps
Preamps
Again, a preamp is probably not necessary except in very specific applications, like accepting signals from older input devices (circa 1980s or before) with poor audio quality. Perhaps the most common application today of preamps is for accepting signals from low quality microphones; a preamp will clean up a lot of the noise in that type of signal. In fact, a preamp is considered to be unnecessary interference by audiophiles and said to degrade the ultimate quality of the output signal.
Top Sellers
Here are some of the top selling amplifiers on the market today:
