What is a preamp and do I really need one?

Each audio system requires amplification. In a traditional hi-fi installation, the speakers are always “passive”, that is to say they do not produce their own power. Instead, they must receive an amplified audio signal from an external source, aptly called an audio signal. amplifierto do their thing. Even in a more modern standalone audio system (like the Sonos era 100for example), the speakers that produce the sound must be amplified to work – all of this happens in a single box rather than separate hi-fi speakers.

But if you’ve heard of amplifiers, you may also have heard of preamplifiers (often called “preamps”) and are wondering where they fit in an audio system and whether you need them. Let’s answer these questions, shall we?

What is a preamp used for?

An audio signal requires a lot of attention before it is ready to be amplified. Ultimately, the question “what is a preamp for?” ” largely 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 to the system. speakers.

In a standalone audio system like the Sonos speaker, the preamplifier and amplifier are in the same enclosure, along with the speakers that actually deliver the sound. Even in a more sophisticated separate hi-fi setup, the preamplifier part of the process is still often handled out of sight, inside the amplifier. These types of amps are called “integrated amplifiers” and contain both preamp and amplifier functionality.

However, some people prefer to separate this functionality, that is, you can consider a preamplifier as a piece of equipment in its own right, combined with a power amplifier. In these cases, the preamplifier allows you to select the music source you wish to hear (the majority have a selection of input options in order to support a system with multiple sources), as well as adjust and adjust the volume.

The preamp also ensures that the audio signal is at “line level”, that is, the standard voltage of an audio signal transmitted between components, and sends it to be amplified, ready to be transmitted, finally, to the speakers.

Does an external preamp improve sound quality?

Hi-fi orthodoxy says that the individual functions of any system should be as separate as possible if the best results are to be achieved. The idea is that by keeping the electrical activity as protected and self-contained as possible, the audio signal has the best chance of remaining as pure and colorless as possible.

By splitting the functions of the preamplifier and amplifier into separate enclosures, there should be a reduction in electrical noise and interference around the signal compared to putting everything in one enclosure.