The Differences Between an Amplifier and Receiver

You may accept overheard your mates' conversations during the backyard BBQ endure weekend of how they advance the TV complete in their home theatre systems. However, you may accept been abashed because it seemed they were application the agreement 'amplifier' and 'receiver' interchangeably. And back then, you couldn't stop cerebration of what the differences amid amplifier and receiver are and which one will be best for you.
The differences amid an Amplifier and Receiver....
Amplifier is a box advised to receive, accent the ability of and again address the audio arresting to the affiliated loudspeakers. An amplifier does not accept an interface (i.e. buttons or knobs) to baddest or change inputs, outputs, volume, etc; accordingly you will charge to acquirement a pre-amplifier (or referred as pre-amp) alone to accredit you to do that.
Receiver is a box that consists of an amplifier, pre-amp and congenital radio tuner. It has assorted inputs (video and audio inputs such as TV boxes, Games consoles, DVD/ Blu-Ray players) and outputs (video and audio outputs such as LCD TV, speakers) and an interface (i.e. buttons or knobs) to ascendancy them. It may charge to affix with the appropriate antenna for the congenital radio tuner to be able to accept radio signal.
You may accept apparent the appellation Stereo Receiver and AV Receiver (or accepted as Audio Video receiver) in your bounded cyberbanking stores.
So, what is a stereo receiver and an AV receiver exactly?
Stereo receiver is originally what the receiver was referred to. It consists of an amplifier, pre-amp and congenital radio tuner. It is advised to handle audio signals only.
However, as the home ball arrangement evolves, so does the receiver in adjustment to be able to action both video and audio signals. The characterization AV receiver is acclimated to differentiate amid stereo receiver (2-channel audio arresting inputs) and AV receiver (multi-channel audio and video signals inputs).
Generally, purchasing an amplifier added addition abstracted pre-amp is believed to action the best achievement in sound. Because they are separate, it aswell offers adaptability in acclimation and advance assertive allotment of the amplifier. However, the drawbacks are it is added expensive, requires added amplitude and you will alone get 2-channel stereo sound.
The allowances of purchasing a receiver are cheaper, easier to set up (only one box compared to two) and you will get multi-channel conscientious beleaguer complete and accurate experience.
If you would like the best of both worlds and money is not an issue, addition advantage will be to acquirement both amplifier and receiver. By accumulation the two together, the receiver will act as pre-amp and address the audio signals to the amplifier for amplification.
The afterward is the shortlist of arch brands of amplifiers and receivers:
Yamaha
Harman Kardon
Sony
Denon
Onkyo
Pioneer