2 Channel Home Audio Amplifiers and Preamps
Despite the fact that todays digital receivers make use of the latest technology, most still luck the power that high end preamps and audio amplifiers produce. If the sound output is not loud and clear enough it is likely that the home audio amplifier and preamp is the weak link. Preamplifiers help convert weak electrical signals into output signals that are powerful enough to be noise-resistant, thus enabling them to process further. This is especially important if the signal is going to a power amplifier afterward. Audio amplifiers, on the other hand, increase the power of the input signal.
What are Some of the Considerations When Choosing a Preamplifier?
Preamplifiers, whether 2 channel or multi-channel, have designs that uniquely meet the needs of different users. Some of the factors to consider include:
- Gain - A good amp should be able to produce sufficient gain to suit a users recording needs. Experts recommend at least 60 dB of total gain for the best results.
- Input impedance - A Preamps input impedance should be high enough to enforce a minimum load on a device, such as a microphone. Generally, the input impedance should have at least 4 to 5 times more power than the output impedance of the output device.
- Noise performance - An ideal preamp should produce negligible noise.
What are Some of the Considerations When Choosing a Home Audio Amplifier?
Consider the following when getting a home audio amplifier:
- Power output - The power output of an amp determines how loud you can listen to music. Choosing it should depend on the size of a room and size of speakers used. This value measures in watts.
- Signal to noise ratio - This is a measure that compares the level of the desired signal to that of background noise. This value should stay as high as possible.
- Inputs and connections - A good stereo amp should have enough inputs to connect all the audio equipment such as: headphones, home theatre system, stereo receivers, subwoofer, and microphones at the same time.
Other considerations include the number of channels, two channel and 4 channel home audio amplifiers and preamps are the most common. The desired volume controls should also stay in perspective.
What are the Benefits of Having a Preamplifier?
If you are not sure whether you should get a preamplifier, consider the following:
- Improved sound quality - At higher gain settings, the high sound quality that a dedicated preamplifier produces cannot be ignored. External preamps have a circuitry that retains transparency even when the gain is set to high.
- More gain - Ordinary stereo amplifiers rarely achieve gains that exceed 60 dB. But with high quality amps, this gain can increase.
- Low noise - Recording from very quiet sources or using low-quality microphones can cause noise issues. However, high-quality preamps are able to counter this problem.