What Is a Preamp, and Do I Really Need One?
Briefly

What Is a Preamp, and Do I Really Need One?
"What Does a Preamp Do? An audio signal needs plenty of attention before it's ready to be amplified-so ultimately the question "what does a preamp do?" broadly contains its own answer. A preamplifier takes care of everything that needs to be done before the audio signal (sent from the music source) is amplified and sent onwards to the system's speakers."
"In a self-contained audio system like the Sonos speaker, the preamplifier and the amplifier are in the same enclosure, along with the speaker drivers that actually deliver the sound. Even in a more sophisticated hi-fi separates setup, the preamplifier part of proceedings is still often handled out of sight, within the amplifier. These types of amps are known as "integrated amplifiers" and contain both preamp and amplifier functionality."
Every audio system requires amplification because loudspeakers are passive and do not produce their own power. Even self-contained systems still need amplification for the drivers, often within a single enclosure. A preamplifier readies and conditions the audio signal before it reaches the power amplifier, handling tasks such as source selection and input switching to support multiple sources. Many amplifiers are integrated, combining preamp and power stages into one unit. Some users choose separate preamplifiers paired with power amplifiers to keep signal control and amplification physically distinct.
Read at WIRED
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