What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
Ely
New Content Contributor

What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier? In my mind, those are the same thing. I have heard those words used interchangeably.  

Demo
Contributor

Re: What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

A traditional receiver is composed of three sections, a preamplifier, an amplifier, and a tuner. Although I don't think many people use their home theater system for listening to FM radio, that still is part of the traditional definition. But from the beginning, the preamp and amp were handled by dedicated units with their own power supplies and with their components and wiring separated to avoid interference.  That approach is still followed today at the high end.