power amp and pre amp,

[skularatna]

can someone explain what these are?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Integrated amp includes both a preamp stage, providing source switching and volume (and sometimes tone) control, and a power amp stage which boosts the signal enough to drive the speakers.

Preamp and power amp split these two functions into two boxes.

Main benefits:

1. Delicate signals in preamp isolated from larger signals in power amp, reducing interference and noise.

2. The two units can have dedicated power supplies, for the same reason.

3. You can upgrade the amplification by swapping to a better preamplifier, or upgrading (or adding more) power amp(s).

 

[skularatna]

Thanks. And Now that explains the cost as well.