Difference Between Amplifier and Receiver

I am gonna solve the biggest mystery in the world i.e. What is the difference between amplifier and receiver.

LOL.

Yes, we often get confused and see these two terms being used interchangeably.

Let me make it clear once and for all.

An Amplifier boosts the sound volume levels but a receiver does more than that. A Receiver includes a built-in amplifier but also has a tuner, pre-amp, radio, input selection and volume controls.

A receiver does all that an amplifier does but the basic difference is that receiver has multiple input-output interfaces.

But the amplifier only amplifies or boosts the signals and adds enough gain to be played through speakers and also sends the signals out, it does not have multiple input-output interfaces.

First of all, I will be explaining to you what’s amplifier does.

Amplifier and Receiver Difference Explained

An amplifier is a device that is used to take the incoming signal to drive the speaker’s output. Its main job is to take the unprocessed incoming audio signal from one end (which is a source) and amplified it which makes it’s sound loud for the speaker to reproduce sound from the other end. So of course for any type of speaker amplifier is important.

When it comes to the amplifier it has 3 different types of amplifiers such as

• Integrated amplifiers
• Preamplifiers with a power amplifier (two separate components)
• Single power amplifiers.

1. Integrated Amplifiers:

It is used to combine two channels or multiple channel amplifiers with the help of a preamplifier which performs different works like operate tone control and select the audio component.

All of the functions like source switching, volume control, and amplification.

2. Pre-amplifier with a Power Amplifier:

Some audio amplifiers are integrated and have several input sources for devices CD players and DVD players. Integrated amplifiers are widely used to listen to music by audiophiles, although they may opt for a separate preamp and amp.

It provides better sound quality than the integrated amplifier. It can increase the voltage gain by the signals.

It converts a weak electrical signal into an output signal strong enough to be noise-tolerant and strong enough for further processing.

Basically, its main purpose is to convert the weak signals into powerful ones.

Power amplifiers provide the best sound ever. It has separate components for every function which is from advantages. There is no chance of interference of signals between them.

And I told you above it has different components so you can easily upgrade the separate components.

It is also used in two-channel and multiple amplifiers and should match the capability of the speaker.

People are very happy with their work, so most of the people use it.

Because it is very suitable you don’t need ins and out of multiples components.

As you know receivers are upgraded every year so you can easily be upgraded or purchase the latest receiver.

Amplifier vs Receiver Difference

A receiver as the name suggests that it is used to take, receive, or accepts multiple sources and work on routing and even amplify the signals of output connectivity.

A receiver can output audio into 5,7,11 or even to 13. It also decodes the digital surround sound from input sources so it can properly be played on the speaker.

Receivers also contain a digital radio tuner, allowing you to connect to digital radio.

 An additional capability of the receiver is it catches both audio and video signals.

Like amplifiers, it also has two primary modifications of receivers which are:

• Stereo receiver
• AV receiver.

1. Stereo Receivers:

Stereo receiver ane integrated stereo amplifier as they are commonly known as the ability to only amplify audio signals, as well as with additional technologies such as volume control, multiple stereo inputs.

It also has speaker source selection and even a radio tuner in some models.

A stereo receiver is one of the simplest modes to sound up and running our system.

2. AV Receivers:

 Firstly, An AV receiver is the electronic component that controls and drive your home theater experience.

It catches both audio and video signals usually through an HDMI connection from different sources and routes them to their respective outputs.

It provides features like Bluetooth, wireless functionality, room connection, and more.

 Secondly, it’s the device that connects everything. It’s where you hook up your input devices, such as DVD players, games consoles, etc.

And your output devices, such as speakers, TVs, and projectors. This means that a good receiver should be functional but also easy to use.

Audio-wise gives you additional functionalities apart from what the stereo receivers do such as decoding surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, and others.

The ability to decode surround sound format is a feature that distinguishes an AV receiver from integrated stereo amplifiers you may have come across.

Both stereo and AV receiver posses amplification capabilities. It is important to note that both stereo an AV receiver is equipped with amplification capabilities.

Do you think that AV receivers are expensive then amplifier? So then you are wrong because they’re in the market there are very cheap receivers and very expensive stereo amplifiers.

The price which you paid up is not only for the numbers of channels.

Rather, it has other qualities like its audio quality and its internal component and others.

Conclusion

The main difference between amplifier and receiver is that an amplifier makes the sound louder. A receiver does a lot of routing to different incoming and outgoing audio devices and makes the sound experience better for the users.