For first-time buyers: a guide to amplifiers

Imagine that your living room has recently been supplemented with a long-awaited home audio system. You spent the whole day running the necessary cables, connecting the speakers, the amplifier and other components of the sound system. You even chose a movie for the evening. But when I started watching it, it became clear that something was wrong. The sound is jerky, low tones are not heard. What to do?

The most important thing is to take your time. If you're reading this amp guide before you buy it, you're on the right track. If you are in a hurry, you will have to find a way out.

How to choose an amplifier ?

You can also choose an amplifier yourself. However, we warn you that the selection process will require a lot of knowledge. When planning to buy a sound system, don't just rely on forums or nice product descriptions on the internet. We recommend consulting with Autogars specialists. They will ensure that all the devices in your audio system work together seamlessly and complement each other.

Also, before purchasing, we always offer to hear the sound of the desired sound system in our showroom. Let's face it, this purchase will last you five years or more. In our practice, we have noticed such a tendency that customers often choose a more expensive system than they planned. This is due to the fact that in the Autogarso salon, customers have the opportunity to hear the sound of several sound systems in a short period of time. Even those who come in with the mindset that they don't understand anything about quality audio can usually hear the difference between sound systems perfectly. But about everything - first.

Basics: What is an amplifier ?

An amplifier is a device whose main task is to amplify an audio signal to the desired level. If the amp is analog and intended for a stereo system, that's the end of its job. However, how qualitatively and dynamically it will perform this depends on the schematics and elemental base inside the amplifier.

The amplifier directs the received video signals to the TV, and the sound to the speakers.

A smart amplifier is an improved traditional amplifier. It usually knows how to "pick up" music from various environments of the Internet, home network or USB media in digital format. It also supports the following popular music apps: Spotify, TuneIn Radio, Tidal and AirPlay.

There are thousands of audio amplifier manufacturers on the market. Choosing is really not an easy task. In short, amplifiers differ in purpose, quality, parameters and functionality. Therefore, you should choose responsibly.

Types of amplifiers

There are generally two types of home amplifiers. They differ in the number of channels. Stereo amplifiers are traditional with two channels. Surround amplifiers, on the other hand, are multi-channel. They have 5-11 channels.

Often, customers think that a system with many speakers will be more musical, louder, and the listener will be surrounded by surround sound. In reality, music recordings are usually presented in "Stereo" - two channels, so you should not expect that you will feel like you are among the musicians in the middle of the stage while listening to music.

In our experience, choosing a more expensive amplifier with two more expensive speakers will give you more pleasure than a cheaper multi-channel amplifier with much cheaper speakers. Believe me, and with a quality Stereo system, it is real to hear how the position of the singer or other musicians on the stage changes. The same goes for watching a movie if it's recorded in Stereo.

Power : what should you know?

A frequent buyer chooses an amplifier based on a single power parameter. Meanwhile, our specialists assure us that the more expensive the amplifier, the more musical, powerful, detailed and dynamic it will be at the minimum sound level.

At home, we mostly listen to music in this mode. And only for a few hours during the party we play the music at full volume. Therefore, it is logical that you will be more pleased with such an amplifier, which is able to convey even the smallest sound details and rich, accurate bass at a low sound level. By choosing such an amplifier, you will also be less annoying to the neighbors who live across the wall.

The power range (in watts) required to power a particular speaker is often indicated on the packaging. For the cleanest sound with minimal distortion, aim for the highest power rating in this range.

What is worth knowing about inputs and outputs?

Generally speaking, the more inputs and outputs an amplifier has, the wider the connection options will be. For example, if necessary, you can connect additional speakers, a low-frequency speaker (subwoofer), a projector, a turntable, a CD player, a SAT or IP TV set-top box, a game console and other devices. These connectors expand the possibilities of use.

Nowadays, the TV is also an integral part of the home audio-visual system. For this reason, we recommend choosing smart amplifiers with a TV interface via HDMI connection, regardless of whether you are looking for a stereo or a home theater system. Such amplifiers or receivers turn on, mute, become louder and turn off together with the TV. No amplifier control is required.

It is worth choosing an amplifier that has more HDMI connections. The more HDMI connections there are, the more devices you can connect. Don't plan now? May be needed in the future.

If you have audio system components without an HDMI connection, your salvation will be an RCA output or an optical/digital cable.

Got a turntable? The easiest way to connect it to an amplifier is through the Phono input. The picture shows the Denon DP400 record player.

How many channels might be needed?

We generally recommend amplifiers that have at least seven channels. If you choose to purchase several speakers or a 3.1 sound system at the beginning, you can later fill it with the devices you want.

If the amplifier will have seven or more channels, you can easily connect the most advanced surround sound formats (for example, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X).

Listen to music in the yard as well

This is an easy task if the amplifier has at least seven channels. Five channels can then be dedicated to creating surround sound at home, and two to outdoor music. As a rule, many smart multichannel amplifiers have a second zone function.

This function allows you to enjoy music or TV sound not only in the living room, but also on the terrace, balcony, bathroom or other home space. For this, it is necessary to lay cables and hang them, to build columns.

After using the advantage of 2-3 zones of the amplifier (receiver), you will have fun and warm summer evenings on the glazed home terrace, where mosquitoes and other insects will not reach you. Then you will be able to watch the TV screen through the glass and hear the high-quality sound of it or another sound source.

How to choose an amplifier : six quick tips

1. The right size is important. Before purchasing, measure the dimensions of the cabinet niche in which you intend to place the amplifier. It happens that the amplifier chosen "by eye" may not fit.
2. Make sure the amplifier has DTS and a Dolby Digital decoding unit, also known as a decoder.
3. Pay attention to the number of inputs and outputs. The bigger it is, the more devices you can connect.
4. It is important to ensure the average sound of the bass tones of the speakers. A single channel usually requires 30-100 watts of power. If you want a bigger bass sound, provide the channel with 80-250 watts of power.
5. Finally, our specialists recommend choosing speakers of the same manufacturer and series. This will ensure the integrity of the sound.
6. Take your time. Don't throw money into the pool - don't buy in haste. We recommend that you come to the "Autogarso" showroom and see for yourself the sound quality of the audio system you are planning to buy.