Why is 'main in' on amplifiers no longer common?

[john61ct]

To me, "integrated amp" means more built-in preamp features - these days if not AV then network streaming, headphones...

Just DAC / bluetooth (which implies source switching that can still be called a "Power Amp" IMO, and a volume control is certainly not disqualifying.

Bypassing that (and maybe tone controls, hpf/lpf etc) may not be necessary, leads to no audible SQ improvement.

But Pre Out that is Concurrent with Speaker Out, I see as often very valuable

 

[Chrispy]

To me, "integrated amp" means more built-in preamp features - these days if not AV then network streaming, headphones...

Just DAC / bluetooth (which implies source switching that can still be called a "Power Amp" IMO, and a volume control is certainly not disqualifying.

Bypassing that (and maybe tone controls, hpf/lpf etc) may not be necessary, leads to no audible SQ improvement.

But Pre Out that is Concurrent with Speaker Out, I see as often very valuable

Yeah a receiver these days is usually more about internet access than radio. DAC/bluetooth and volume control I think takes it out of the power amp area, tho (volume not being same as power amp with some adjustment of gain).

Why would you use both the integrated's amp section simultaneously with the pre-outs?

 

[john61ct]

Yeah a receiver these days is usually more about internet access than radio...

I said nothing about "receivers" that is yet a third separate category. Radio is as relevant as eight track these days IMO.

> Why would you use both the integrated's amp section simultaneously with the pre-outs?

Greater flexibility adds utility, anytime you want more than two speakers playing. Stereo bass management for example, or just playing onward to other locations, even a separate HPamp, BT out, multi zone use your imagination...

> DAC/bluetooth and volume control I think takes it out of the power amp area

My main point there is, I disagree.

Anything that drives speakers and is "dumb", (not including actual sources) IMO counts as a power amp these days.

Facilitating the CONNECTIONS from diverse modern sources - even switching between those sources - should not require a separate "preamp like" device if you don't want a streamer or AV box.

DAPs, phone, PC tablets, other screen devices et al

those plus your amp plus transducers, done.

 

[Chrispy]

I said nothing about "receivers" that is yet a third separate category. Radio is as relevant as eight track these days IMO.

> Why would you use both the integrated's amp section simultaneously with the pre-outs?

Greater flexibility adds utility, anytime you want more than two speakers playing. Stereo bass management for example, or just playing onward to other locations, even a separate HPamp, BT out, multi zone use your imagination...

> DAC/bluetooth and volume control I think takes it out of the power amp area

My main point there is, I disagree.

Anything that drives speakers and is "dumb", (not including actual sources) IMO counts as a power amp these days.

Facilitating the CONNECTIONS from diverse modern sources - even switching between those sources - should not require a separate "preamp like" device if you don't want a streamer or AV box.

DAPs, phone, PC tablets, other screen devices et al

those plus your amp plus transducers, done.

Depends on your point of time/view somewhat I suppose. A receiver was an integrated amp combined with a radio tuner into one box. Receivers have evolved since and now are mostly audio visual receivers with much more features than old integrated amps/receivers. I use multich gear of greater than 4ch capacity....

Power amp to me is just that, no other features. Just saying "amp" can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, tho.

 

[DonH56]

Pre-amp = component with low-level (e.g. line and/or phono) inputs and usually switching capability for different inputs
Power amp = component to amplify line-level signals to speaker levels
Integrated = combines preamp and power amp
Receiver = combines tuner, preamp, and power amp
AVR(P) = audio/video receiver (processor) = adds video processing to a receiver and typically additional channels; no power amp in a processor

I use radio all the time. I like some of the talk shows, local news/traffic/weather reports, and so forth, and do not carry my phone or other device for streaming around the house. We do have weather alerts that are on the radio and not most streaming services. I also listen to the local FM classical and jazz stations for enjoyment and to hear music (songs and/or arrangements) I may not have heard before.

One thing often panned by "audiophiles" that I find adds to my enjoyment of even two-channel stereo material is room correction, something most integrated amps and basic stereo preamps do not provide. My AVP does not measure as well as many pure stereo rigs, but is decent enough to sound good to me, and I like having both room correction and the ability to play or generate surround channels from CDs and SACDs.

 

[john61ct]

A receiver was an integrated amp combined with a radio tuner into one box. Receivers have evolved since and now are mostly audio visual receivers with much more features than old integrated amps/receivers. I use multich gear of greater than 4ch capacity....

Yes me too, but no AV decoding. Maybe upsampling, most processing is crossovers, might get to 22ch altogether downstream after splitting, so lots of amps needed. Original sources Stereo PCM only, if I do FM like TT it will be an analog input to a preamp switcher.

I like volume on the power amps but just to make gain matching easy.

But for a vanilla Stereo system, it's actually a fine place for ad-hoc User Volume Level control.

 

[john61ct]

Pre-amp = component with low-level (e.g. line and/or phono) inputs and usually switching capability for different inputs
Power amp = component to amplify line-level signals to speaker levels
Integrated = combines preamp and power amp
Receiver = combines tuner, preamp, and power amp

Yes we all know these OG definitions from over 50 years ago.

The current discussion is allowing some flexibility for modern evolution.

Most "preamps" these days are built into streamers and/or AVRs.

The way many "speaker driving" amps ship nowadays there is no need for a separate unit after sources even without a streamer or AV gear.

Why have a dedicated box just to do passive attenuation?

Passive analog switchers, or digital signal splitters/switchers are not "preamps" either.

Of course DRC is fantastic these days, yet another function that CAN give preamp functionality, but not necessarily. And certainly does not require AV gear.

Wanting FM radio, that's just another source just like a TT.

 

[dualazmak]

My Accuphase E-460 and Yamaha A-S3000 have pre-out, main-in;

 

[john61ct]

My Ferrari's both have cigarette lighters