What Is an Integrated Amplifier?

Amplifiers form the hub of your Hi-Fi equipment. Your music effectively circles around the things, entering in one socket, tumbling around inside the chassis like a musical washing machine, and popping out of another socket. If you look down on your system, your amplifier would form the center of a mechanical web with a horde of cables attached to the back, but more invisible tendrils like remote control signals and, increasingly these days, Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi commands, flowing from the front and all around.

Amplifiers are control centers: they are a sort of a sonic equivalent of the bridge of the starship enterprise. In most cases, there are more sockets, plugs, buttons, switches, lights, and more attached to them than any other element of your system will ever see.

On the market, there are several variations of amplifying tools, and integrated amps stand out amongst several models. What is the purpose of this piece and why is it so popular? Let’s check it out.

Basic Terminology

When it comes to the notion of integrated amplifiers, a lot find it confusing to understand which equipment would be beneficial for their particular system, since there are so many alternatives which seem to function pretty similar. Apart from integrated amplifiers, you will definitely see deals with power amps, receivers, stereo amplifiers, etc. Keep on reading to reveal the true meaning of these terms.

The word combination “integrated amplifier” refers to Hi-Fi audio machines which contain a couple of different elements under one and the same chassis. Apart from the power amp, the system possesses the preamp and tone and phono EQ controls. This engineering decision allows using space necessary for the system installation more efficiently and simplifying the setup itself. Instead of linking separate tools to the devices of the audio system, music hobbyists use one amplifier for different purposes.

Since a user achieves all amplification features within the same chassis, the source signals turn out to be isolated and thus easier manipulated.

At the same time, these signals can be generated without any serious interference from outer elements, and thus their clarity and quality is preserved and transformed efficiently by the central amplifier. Another benefit of such a solution is that the level of distortion is minimized and doesn’t influence the signal delivery process.

By source signals we mean waves sent by the so-called devices-originates — from CD and MP3 players to tape recorders and radio tuners. A few separate components can be matched simultaneously within one audio system. To wire them correctly, the preamplifier is necessary. If you don’t like to cope with reinstalling source devices over and over again, then this gadget will become your lifesaver. Hi-Fi aficionados can simply connect the desirable tools to it and switch between them for playback. What is more, users are enabled to tune their performance with the help of multifunctional circuitry.

That’s where the preamp of the integrated amplifier plays a great role. In turn, there is a special connection route between the preamp and power amp of the integrated amplifier, which results in modifying the source signals and enhancing their level to be accepted by the end recipients in the form of speakers of woofers.

If you install everything right, then harmonious audio reproduction is guaranteed.

Differences between Integrated Amplifiers and Their Competitors

What is an integrated amplifier and is it the same as a power amplifier? As you already know, the first product is a more complicated and functional machine. It comes with one more circuit and includes features to adjust and customize the performance of your audio system. With the help of two or three band equalizers (depending on the model considered), consumers are enabled to work with treble, bass, and volume to make music representation as much natural and clearest at different frequencies as possible.

When it comes to preamplifiers, their use is related to any audio system for switching between different sources of sound signals. In simple words, it is a preparation stage for a power amplifier to accept signals and be able to amplify them accurately. Preamps are aimed at boosting voltage gain, but they are not capable of influencing current gain. Separation of signals and thus protection of more delicate of them lead to a cleaner and less distorted sound at the end.

What is an integrated amplifier vs a receiver? This question worries several customers all over the globe, but the reality is simpler than it may seem. The receiver is about having three different components in one box. This equipment contains a preamp, an amplifier, and a tuner. Integrated amplifiers are similar to receivers, except there is no radio built-in. You can buy the radio as a separate piece, if necessary. However, the flexibility provided by the preamp section is frequently more than enough, and there is no need in extra sources of signals. Instead of tuners, users tend to apply connections of amplifiers and their computers, MP3 players, etc. More customers prefer looking for devices with built-in Bluetooth of Wi-Fi to increase connectivity and increase the number of signal sources.

What is an integrated stereo amplifier? Don’t worry — that is not a new type of amplifying tools. Briefly, this term can be considered a synonym to integrated amps. A lot believe that stereo receivers are the same as the items under consideration.

Wrap It Up

All the things considered, integrated amplifiers have a lot of chances to become even more sought-after and popular with the course of time. What these devices offer is simplification of setup and adjustment of customers’ audio systems. Since there is an interest in integrating more and more elements that possess completely unlike engineering and designs, integrated amplifiers will become a perfect mediator between them.

When you face a need to work with microphones and their rather weak signals and make them acceptable for further harmonious amplification, such tools will come in handy again. This is just one of the possible examples where integrated gadgets can be applied.