Wondering where to start? Fear not; we’ll run you through the basics here.
Integrated vs pre/power
If you’ve already bought your amplifier and are now eyeing it up a touch warily with a view to getting started, you may wish to skip straight to the ‘system matching’ section.
But if you’re reading this before you’ve chosen the amp needed to drive your system, you have an important decision to make. Do you go integrated or separate pre/power kit?
The former is the most simple, convenient and space-saving option, packing both preand power amplification into one chassis. This means everything has been tuned together, saving you the work that goes into matching separate amplifiers.
Two-box amplifiers, on the other hand, involve splitting pre-amplification (input selection and volume control, fundamentally) from power amplification (go on, guess). The idea is to keep the sensitive preamp circuitry (and the delicate audio signals flowing through it) away from the electrically noisy high-current power amplifier section.
Having separate power supply sections helps to improve the sound too. So this way you double your component count but, as long as your pre- and power-amplifiers function together sympathetically, you should enjoy better performance.
The most obvious way of selecting pre- and power amplification that works together well is by sticking within one brand’s range. Invariably they will have been tuned to work well as a pair.
This story is from the February 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
7 Of The Quirkiest Hi-Fi And Home Cinema Products On The Planet
Enough of the serious stuff, time for some oddballs...
SCREEN STARS
These systems pick from the cream of the AV crop to provide the most immersive experience possible
Wire we waiting?
These high-end headphones will provide a real treat for your ears-maybe it's time to upgrade
5 SIMPLE DEMO STEPS TO HELP YOU REACH HI-FI SYSTEM NIRVANA
Choosing the right hi-fi kit can be tricky. We reveal how to audition and compare components with confidence
TEAMING WITH TALENT
With so many great hi-fi products on sale, matching them up can be tough. So we have done it for you
COMPACT DISC'S STAR HAS FADED, BUT WE LOVE IT ANYWAY
What Hi-Fi? explains why the original silver music disc still appeals
Sennheiser Accentum Wireless
The Accentum sound solid enough, but they're hardly a thrilling listen
iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen
The best tablet for movies and music is now even better
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Out with the old Bose and in with the new
Q Acoustics 5040 Home Cinema Package
Want to inject some energy into your home cinema sound? Look no further