Pre main amplifier

[Stormydog]

My house was built 20 years ago and I installed stereo ceiling speakers and 2 outdoor speakers (I think 100w) in several rooms. They were hooked up to a simple 2 channel stereo receiver. Played just fine.
Recently I bought Onkyo TX SR393 A/V receiver to create home theater. Hooked up ceiling speakers to Front channel and sound is very low. Contacted Onkyo and finally convinced them that the ceiling speakers are not part of any 3.1 home theater setup, but simple 2 channel stereo. This receiver is home theater, but does have a Line Out Zone B ability which outputs 2 channel stereo to another room. I think this is what I need

However it requires the output to go into a pre main amplifier. I am so confused here as to what I need. I do want to spend less than $100 since it is just to use the ceiling speakers and nothing else. I've looked at something like Nobsound NS-04G PRO Mini Digital Power Amplifier HiFi Stereo 2.0 Channel Class D Home Desktop Audio Amp 100W+100W for $35.
Totally confused with phono pre amp, car pre amps and stereo preamps. Do not need to spend much money on simple use. Any guidance appreciated.

 

[lovinthehd]

Your receiver lacks pre-outs (pre-amplifier outputs) to use a power amp with the zone 2 line outs (line outs simply output a low level signal without volume control). To use zone 2 you'd need another integrated amp (your avr is a type of integrated amp), so that you could control volume for zone 2. The Nobsound you mention would work.

Low sound on your ceiling speakers (which is a poor place for L/R speakers btw) is more related to the speakers' sensitivity...wattage ratings mean little except a warning as to how much power they can take. Paying attention to speakers' impedance is important along with sensitivity, max wattage is fairly useless.

An integrated amp simply means a pre-amp and amplifier in the same box (a receiver generally added radio tuner in the past, often more about internet capability these days). A phono pre-amp takes the very low signal level of a cartridge (moving magnet type or moving coil type) and boosts it as well as applies the RIAA eq curve needed to play vinyl back properly. A pre-amp would not have amplifiers for passive speakers (basically a switch/volume control only). Car or home would be the same capability in that regard. If your avr had pre-outs then you could use a (power) amplifier to supplement it.

That help?

 

[everettT]

Are the speakers going through a speaker selector to volume controls and what was the previous receiver/amp (can you describe your equipment a little more?) That model of Onkyo doesn't have a lot of power to drive several speakers at the same time at a moderate volume.