When to add an External Amplifier? How to add an External Amplifier? What does an External Amplifier do? These types of questions often come to us.
Some people get confused. Should they add an External Amplifier with their receiver or not? You should add an External Amplifier if you need one. But at first, you have to know about External Amplifier in detail.
We are here; you don’t have to worry about this. We will discuss everything about External Amplifier. For example, what is an External Amplifier? How to add an External Amplifier with a receiver? What does an External Amplifier do?
So, without any further ado, let’s get into the main topic.
What Is an External Amplifier?
The thing that supplies power to the speaker is called the External Amplifier. It is an essential thing for speakers. An external amplifier can supply power to two or more speakers.
External Amplifier attaches with the receiver. You will see this in the home theatre.
When to Add an External Amplifier With a Receiver?
There are some regulations to add an External Amplifier with a receiver. You shouldn’t add an External Amplifier without necessity.
It depends on the receiver, speaker, and room when you should add an External Amplifier.
The speaker efficiency has to be less than 8 ohms, and the room size has to be approximately 3000 cubic fits to add an External Amplifier. If your listening habits are moderate to high, you will need an External Amplifier for your speaker.
If your speakers can handle enough Wattage and you need the output from your speaker, you should add an External Amplifier. If the power doesn’t matter to you and your speaker can’t handle the extra power, you shouldn’t add a powerful Amplifier.
A decent receiver can supply 75-100 Watts per channel. If you need 200+ Watts per channel, you have to add a powerful Amplifier.
Purchase All The Necessary Equipment
Things that you’ll need to buy are :
An amplifier
A receiver
Cables and adapters
PLUS an external power supply that can provide a minimum of 9V, enough to run both the amplifier and receiver.
- Purchase an amplifier with the following specifications:
Amplifier type: Two Channel Amplifier w/ Reverb (or other suitable configuration)
Output Power: 50W RMS per channel @ 4 ohms or less
Frequency Response: 10Hz to 20kHz +/-3dB (with 0.5% THD+N)
You will also need to purchase a receiver with the following specifications:
Receiver type: CD player, Tape deck, or other suitable configuration
Minimum output power requirement: 50W RMS per channel @ 4 ohms or less
CD quality stereo playback w/Sensitivity (dB): 88.1 dB(w/0.5% THD+N)
- You will also need to purchase cables and adapters to connect the amplifier and receiver. The types of cables you’ll need are :
RCA cable for connecting amp input & speaker outputs
Dual RCA cable for connecting the receiver to the amplifier
BNC cable for connecting the receiver to an antenna or TV
RCA to dual RCA adapter for connecting the two RCA cables
BNC to dual RCA adapter for connecting the two BNC cables
RCA to 3.5mm audio cable for connecting the receiver’s speaker outputs to an amplifier
3.5mm audio cable for connection to a device with AUX input (like a smartphone)
An external power supply that can provide a minimum of 9V, enough to run both the amplifier and receiver.
Find The Pre-Out Section On The AV Receiver.
– Firsrtly, find the pre-out section on the AV receiver and connect the amplifier’s input to the pre-out.
– Secondly, connect the receiver’s output to the TV, then find the antenna input on the TV.
– After that, connect the amplifier’s output to this input. Connect the receiver’s output to your TV set.
Connect A Speaker Wire To The Integrated Amplifier
You should connect the red wire from the amplifier to the positive on the receiver. Afterwards, connect the black wire from the amplifier to the negative on the receiver. As well as connect an audio cable from the receiver to your speakers. And finally, turn on the amplifier and receiver.
In order to make the connection, you will need a speaker wire, connector, amplifier, and receiver. Afterward, strip one end of the speaker wire exposing about 6″ of a conductor. Twist it into a Figure 8 shape with both ends sticking out on opposite sides of the connector.
After that, install the connectors on opposite ends of your speakers. Finaly, insert one end of the stripped speaker wire into each connector on your amplifier and connect them like standard electrical cables.
Touching either side should now identify +-The white stripe along one side is for positive power Black stripe is for negative power. If you are using RCA connectors, test each one first since you wired those differently.
How to Add an External Amplifier With a Receiver?
Essential thing: You will only need the RCA cable to connect the External Amplifier with the receiver.
It is very simple to connect an External Amplifier with a receiver. You have to connect the cable to your receiver. Put one in the left channel and the other in the right.
What Does an External Amplifier Do?
External Amplifier supplies power to speakers. It helps the speaker to generate more sounds, quality sound, and good bass. An External Amplifier will change your home theatre sound quality.
The receiver takes all audio signals, then decodes those signals. After that receiver passes those decode signals to the Amplifier. The Amplifier amplifies those signals and sends them to speakers. We hear the output through speakers then.
In a standard receiver, each channel supply approximately 100 Watts to the speakers. If you use a good quality External Amplifier, it will increase the power. It will supply 200+ Watts.
What to Do with Unused Receiver Amps
If you have a new receiver amp, you can attach it to the external amplifier.
- Firstly, connect the output of the amplifier to the receiver’s input using a cable.
- Secondly, set the amplifier to its appropriate output settings and connect it to your speaker system.
- After that, turn on the receiver and listen to your music.
- And finally, if you have an MP3 player, connect it to the amplifier so you can listen to it through the receiver.
To attach the amplifier to a receiver, you’ll need:
- A cable to connect the amplifier output to the receiver input.
- An amplifier with an appropriate output setting for your speaker system.
- A speaker system compatible with the amp’s output settings.
4. A MP3 player connects to the amplifier to deliver music through the receiver.
Use RCA Cables To Connect To The Left And Right Channels On Both Pieces Of Equipment
- Firstly, connect the left RCA cable to the input on your external amplifier
- Connect the suitable RCA cable to the output on your external amplifier
- After that, turn on both pieces of equipment and listen for sound from each channel.
- If the sound is not coming out of the external amplifier, then either the left or right RCA cable may be bad
- Check to see if there is a speaker jack on the back of your receiver that can plug into the external amplifier’s speaker output
- If Step 5 fails, then you will need to purchase an audio line-in cable to connect your external amplifier to the receiver’s input
- Turn off the receiver and external amplifier
- After that, connect the audio line-in cable to the receiver’s input
- Turn on both pieces of equipment and listen for sound from the channel used in Step 4
- If there is no sound coming out of your external amplifier, then it is likely that the audio line-in cable or connector on your external amplifier is terrible. Also, whether the connector is wrong, buy another one to fix this. Or if the audio line-in cable is faulty, you will need to replace it.
What Is the Difference Between an Amplifier and a Receiver?
The statement we often hear is an Amplifier, and a receiver is the same thing. No, there is a slight difference between an Amplifier and a receiver.
The receiver supplies power to the speaker. But the receiver has extra facilities. It takes audio and video signals, after that, receiver process and decode those signals. The receiver has radio facilities. You can control volume in the receiver.
Amplifier only supplies high power to the speaker. Amplifier can’t take video signals. It only takes audio signals, then processes those signals and sends them to speakers.
The receiver comes with full facilities. But Amplifier only can process audio. You will find an Amplifier in all receivers. In easy language, all receiver is an Amplifier, but all Amplifier is not a receiver.
So, you only can use a receiver in your home theatre. But if you add an Amplifier with your receiver, you will get better output from your speaker. It will also release extra pressure from your receiver.
Begin Streaming Your Audio
However, to begin streaming your audio content to your receiver
- Connect the audio output of your amplifier to the audio input of your receiver.
- Turn on both devices and wait for the HDMI indicator light on your amplifier to turn green before launching Kodi or other streaming applications.
- Navigate to Settings (gear icon, three lines in bottom left corner of screen) and select Audio & Video Outputs under Devices & Inputs:
- Select the input from which you want to stream content and click Add a New Device:
- Highlight External Amplifier with Receiver in the list box and choose the appropriate HDMI input.
- Click OK and wait a few seconds for the signal to stabilize before launching Kodi or other streaming applications.
- Enjoy your amplified audio experience.
Why Connect an Integrated Amplifier to an AV Receiver?
Perhaps your amplifier has more power than the receiver can handle, or you want to bypass the built-in speakers on the receiver and use your speakers. In either case, connecting an external amplifier with a receiver will allow you to enjoy high volume levels while maintaining quality audio playback.
The first reason would be if you wanted to use the amplifier as a preamp. This is helpful if you connect an external power amplifier directly to your receiver without going through the AV receiver’s built-in amp. With an integrated amp connected as a preamplifier, you would then have increased audio power and better fidelity than what is available from the AV receiver’s internal amplification.
Second, many people connect their integrated amps directly to their A/V receivers in order to enjoy 5.1 surround sound with compatible speakers or headphones. Connecting an amplifier directly to the receiver bypasses any built-in speakers or headphones, allowing you to enjoy crisp, powerful sound without messing with cables.
To increase performance, integrated amplifiers work as signal boosters. First, consider connecting an integrated amp that offers a modest increase in power (such as 50 watts) over your AV receiver’s current output capacity. This will give you the most bang for your buck regarding overall audio performance.
Next would be connecting an amplifier with twice the power (100 watts), providing more fantastic enhancements than possible with a 50-watt amplifier. If you want a significant boost in sonic performance, consider connecting an amp that offers up to 500 watts of power. This will provide the maximum possible audio amplification and greatly enhance the sound quality of your music or movie experience.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Can I Add an Amplifier to My Receiver?
You can add an Amplifier to your receiver. You have to take a look that your speakers can handle a lot of pressure or not. If you want a good output from your speakers, you should add an Amplifier.
You will need the RCA cable to add the Amplifier with the receiver. Then put the right cable in the right and the left cable in the left channel.
Can I Use a Couple of Amplifiers?
You can use two amplifiers. In clear language, you can use Amplifier as much as you want. But you have to monitor those Amplifiers rightly.
Is an Amplifier the Same as a Receiver?
There is some similarity between an Amplifier and a receiver. But those are not the same thing.
An Amplifier only can amplify audio. But a receiver can process audio and video signals.
All receiver is an Amplifier, but all Amplifier is not a receiver.
Does an External Amplifier Improve Sound Quality?
Yes, an External Amplifier improves sound quality. You will get good quality sound from your speakers if you use an Amplifier. An Amplifier will increase the sound and bass.
How Many Speakers Can I Add With an Amplifier?
Usually, an Amplifier can handle two speakers perfectly. You can add more speakers. But you won’t get the actual performance from the Amplifier.
Final Verdicts:
Many people don’t use an External Amplifier. But it is an essential thing. If you use an External Amplifier in your home theatre, you will get a quality sound experience.
You can also use only one receiver. If you use two big speakers with only a receiver, you won’t get the best output from the speakers. A better Amplifier can easily handle two big speakers. It will give you the best output from your speakers.
We have discussed everything about an External Amplifier. We have also answered how to add an External Amplifier with a receiver and what an Amplifier does. We hope we were able to quench your thirst.