Can someone explain (in simple talk!;)) difference between Amp and Receiver and whether I can realistically use the same box to drive music system and surround sound for TV??

Thanks :)

Reciever has a radio built in amp doesn't :)

Si

A receiver is an amp with a radio tuner built in. You'll need an AV Amp/Receiver to drive surround sound speakers, but that'll work for stereo music too, although probably not be as good at it in audiophile terms. I use mine like that though.

On a vaguely related topic, any one know where I can get a manual and/or remote for my Sherwood RVD6095RDS AV receiver?

Cheers,
Ben :)

A receiver is an amplifier with a built in tuner. An amp is just an amplifier. An AV (audio/video) amp or receiver has added circuitry for decoding surround channels. There are various formats for surround sound, Dolby Digital being the most common, DTS being (IMHO) the best. Unless you spend big bucks on THX.

Yes, you can drive a music system using an AV amp/receiver. They all have CD inputs, but you'll have to search hard for one with a phono (turntable) stage these days.

unless of course its just a tuner... then its hasn't got an amp in it ;)

[Edited by Cupramax - 12/18/2003 5:41:07 PM]

Eh?
Surely a tuner is erm ....a tuner?:)

Receiver in hi-fi terms is taken to mean amp and tuner in one package.

I think what Cupramax was getting at is that all tuners receive radio waves, so are radio receivers. So are TV's. Similarly, remote controlled kit receives infra-red signals from the remote. Depends how pedantic you want to be :rolleyes:

Thanks for the responses, things are getting clearer!

I like the look of the slim-line Panasonic receivers, but what is this table telling me in the 'Amplifier Pre / Power' columns?

For example, the XR25 has a tick in the 'Power' column but the XR15 doesn't? What does this mean??

:)

[Edited by Tommy 2000 - 12/18/2003 8:40:50 PM]

Can i receive a tuner?

Can i tune a receiver?

Tsk, hi-fi, it's just questions, questions....

:)

A tuner is a fish isn't it? Goes nice with mayonnaise and onion in a sarnie.

Picture this:

CD player --> Power Amp --> Speakers (with me so far ?)

(This is the simplest music re-production chain)

now we add some other toys:

CD player & DVD Player (separate units)--> Pre-Amp --> Power Amp --> Speakers

where the pre-amp acts like a switch so you can change sources (CD & DVD not HP)

now this is where it gets complicated so pay attention at the back !

CD Player & DVD Player & Sky box & Turntable & X-Box & SACD Player & DVD-A Player (it's virtually endless)

--> Pre-Amp (now including a tuner so it is now called a Receiver)

--> Power Amps (now increased to several separate boxes because you can get completely carried away with all this and start using separate boxes for each speaker or each cone in the speaker etc.)

Now just to add a little spice to all this there are pre-amps out there that double as power amps (they are called integrated amps)

and that is the difference between which columns are ticked - two ticks = integrated pre & power amps, one tick = pre-amp only .............phew <whipes brow>

Now what was the question ? :D

Pah, home cinema is for pussies!! :p

Long live REAL hi-fi!! :D

Wow!! Cheers uksti! :) It's now clear as mud! ;)

At the end of the day then, does the XR15 need a separate amp?

No. The final column in your link holds the clue...40W X 5. The receiver is capable of pumping out all 5 channels @ 40Watts per channel.No further amps reqd.

If I may suggest, this is worth the extra £40 or so. And this is more than worth the extra £100. With the 812 you will need another set of surrounds to get the best out of it (7.1). I know, I've got one, and it's superb.

Cheers guys.

Corradoboy, i'll check out the Pioneer options...what would you recommend in terms of surround sound speakers to go with the Pioneer receiver?

:)

Have a look at the recommendations I gave this guy

As with all hi-fi, it's you that's listening to it so there's no substitute to a good dem. Happy shopping.

Cheers mate

Pre amp: this has the signal switching (select CD/DVD/Minidisc/whatever), the volume control, tone controls, etc etc - the control part of the amplifier if you like.
Power amp: This takes a small signal output by the pre-amp and gives it the power to drive speakers.
Integrated amp: Most "normal" level amplifiers are integrated, as in they contain both pre and power amps all in one box. They take signals from CD/DVD/Minidisc/whatever, control the volume etc, and drive the speakers too.

Virtually all receivers contain an integrated amp.

Telboy - Home cinema if done right is a bolt on to real hi-fi. What better to do with those old power amps and speakers that you've upgraded than use them as surrounds etc. ;)