Why Get a Hi Fi Amplifier?Posted by Rooney Mckinney on May 28th, 2021 When most people hear the word "amp", they think of their car's audio system. But a hi-fi amplifier is much more than an after-market addition to your car stereo. In layman's language, a hi-fi amplifier increases the voltage of an audio signal. An amplifier is typically found separately from another electronic device or located within another component. This article will concentrate specifically on standalone amplifiers. Power amplifiers are found in high end audio systems as well as in many other audio devices. The most common application for a power amplifier is the creation of high wattage audio systems in automobiles. A separate preamplifier is then added to the system for the ultimate power amplification. Some high quality car audio systems include their own high power amps. Other applications for high power amps are signal conditioning within an entertainment unit such as the DVD player or head unit. Or in some cases, separate preamplifiers may be built into multi-out plug in devices that connect the audio source to the preamplifier for additional amplification. Many audiophiles utilize a variety of different styles of power amplifiers in conjunction with their various audio sources. Some audiophiles will utilize two or more separate power amplifiers to enhance their overall audio experience. As a rule of thumb, the larger the audio source, the more powerful the individual amp should be. It's best to have several small power amplifiers in your audio system for sources and separation. Most high end stereo amplifiers will come equipped with at least two channels. However, some manufacturers have adopted a "full range" approach by adding two separate audio channels only. An added advantage of having two-channel stereo audio amplifiers is the ability to send the left and right channels to the left and right earphones, which can make long listening sessions much more fun. The two basic types of high fidelity audio amplifier are solid state and solid body. A solid state high fidelity amp will use electronic transistors in their circuit board. A solid body high fidelity amplifier will use metal oxide semiconductors. Although both types of amplifiers will produce high fidelity output, the sound they produce will be different. That is why some audiophiles prefer one type of amplifier over the other. They will listen to a rock band and love it, but may hate the sound produced by a solid-state high fidelity amp for listening to rap or hard rock music. One thing to keep in mind when shopping for high fidelity audio amplifiers is to avoid the subwoofer. Most of the time audiophiles will choose to place the speakers at some distance from the amplifier so the sound produced will be much better. However, some hi fi amplifiers come with woofers included so you may want to buy a suitable subwoofer separately. In addition, many audiophiles prefer to use high class ab Hi Fi amplifiers without the woofer if possible. Many people think that high fidelity Hi Fi amplifiers require the same amount of power as regular high fidelity amplifiers; however, there are actually three different classes of high fidelity amplifiers that use different power requirements. Class A is the least power amplifier because it uses only one input to handle the left and right channels. Class B uses two input signals and is therefore a good choice for high fidelity models used in home entertainment systems. Class AB combines the power of Class A and B and is recommended for use in professional applications where high fidelity is a main concern. There are also high fidelity units that use a single input but these are not recommended for general home stereos. If you are looking to buy a new high fidelity audio amplifier, it is important to consider all the components you will need in your system. There are many hi fi amplifiers available and it can be confusing to choose the right one that is compatible with your stereo system and offers the best quality sound for your budget. It is advisable to listen to some hi fi amplifiers in order to decide which one sounds best in your situation. It is also important to compare different manufacturers' prices and features in order to get the most suitable model at the best price.Like it? Share it! More by this author |