Integrated Amplifier - A few quick questions

[timetohunt]

I want to have the flexibility of separating out my HT and trying to see if I can improve on stereo sound. I am rather new to high-end audio components (except speakers - I do have about $4000 wrapped up in my 5.1 speaker arrangement, mid-fi I guess), but I am not changing this for a good number of years and so far I do like the Receiver based setup, for its all-in-one switchboard like qualities.

BUT .. I want to start playing with squeezing more out the 2-ch. Plus I need more stable amplification to my fronts that what my cheap receiver can do. Other than room treatments (which I am looking into). I have decided to go with an integrated amp.

A couple of questions:

1. Is 'HT passthrough' what gives the name "integraged" to these types amps? I guess what I am asking is, what is the difference between a stereo amp and an integrated amp?

2. What exactly is 'HT passthrough' other than what the name implies?

3. What types of interface/cabling are required for the amp to the receiver?

4. The money for audio is running out. I think my max expenditure for an integrated amp will have to stay under $1500, maybe even less than that. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Haoleb]

An integrated amplifier is one which contains the power amplifier and preamplifier in one single component. Much like a reciever, except it doesnt usually handle video or have a tuner.

What most people in your situation do is buy a seperate 2 channel power amplfier and simply connect it to the reciever so that the reciever is the preamp. In this case all you would need is a set of interconnects from the reciever to poweramp. With this configuration when you turn the volume up all the speakers remain at a consistent level vs having the reciever for all other speakers and a 2 channel system for the fronts in which case you would have two volume controls to adjust which, unless your very precise about doing them to the same calibrated position will throw off your db levels for home theater listening.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I want to have the flexibility of separating out my HT and trying to see if I can improve on stereo sound. I am rather new to high-end audio components (except speakers - I do have about $4000 wrapped up in my 5.1 speaker arrangement, mid-fi I guess), but I am not changing this for a good number of years and so far I do like the Receiver based setup, for its all-in-one switchboard like qualities.

BUT .. I want to start playing with squeezing more out the 2-ch. Plus I need more stable amplification to my fronts that what my cheap receiver can do. Other than room treatments (which I am looking into). I have decided to go with an integrated amp.

A couple of questions:

1. Is 'HT passthrough' what gives the name "integraged" to these types amps? I guess what I am asking is, what is the difference between a stereo amp and an integrated amp?

2. What exactly is 'HT passthrough' other than what the name implies?

3. What types of interface/cabling are required for the amp to the receiver?

4. The money for audio is running out. I think my max expenditure for an integrated amp will have to stay under $1500, maybe even less than that. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

1. Integrated is a pre-amp and power amp in one chassis.
3. From the receiver's pre amp output, you would use interconnect cables. A video cable would do, so would an coax cable, so called digital cables, or an audio cable.
What speakers, impedance and sensitivity, do you have and what receiver. Most likely you will not gain anything by your new path with the same acoustics and speakers as that is where most of the audible quality is.

 

[timetohunt]

What most people in your situation do is buy a seperate 2 channel power amplfier and simply connect it to the reciever so that the reciever is the preamp. In this case all you would need is a set of interconnects from the reciever to poweramp. With this configuration when you turn the volume up all the speakers remain at a consistent level vs having the reciever for all other speakers and a 2 channel system for the fronts in which case you would have two volume controls to adjust which, unless your very precise about doing them to the same calibrated position will throw off your db levels for home theater listening.

Actually, I am doing that already - meaning that I have a separate power amp for the fronts (its a peavey (pro-style) power amp, and might be considered a bit 'brute force' for the application.

I am assuming that I could raise the bar a bit on my stereo sound by adding an amp that is more for music reproduction rather than powering a PA in a club (which is what that Peavey is meant to do). It works for me now, but I am trying to elevate my listening experience (plus I am getting a charge out of the hobby).