Amps

[lario]

How does one know whether or not an amp would benefit one's system? Is it a "must" in any given HT? Or will a decent receiver do the trick?

 

[Az B]

If your receiver is sufficiently powerful enough to operate your speakers in your room to a desired sound level, then you do not need an amp.

However, some people require different things out of thier setups. Some need more power, some need amps specialized for different speakers, some like have seperate pre amp and amp sections to make upgrading a little easier.

 

[sjdgpt]

Separate amps are not needed for most systems.

The reasons for needing a separate amp....

Really inefficient speakers, or modestly effecient speakers being used in a very large room.

No sub (deep bass has the largest power demands), especially with large full range speakers being used in a large room.

For most of us, maybe 99% of us, a separate amp is not needed. By the way, I own a separate amp (from an older system), and don't use it, my 100w receiver is more than powerful enough for my speakers and room size.