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A small can of worms

Posted by mvwine on August 27, 2002 at 13:05:53:
A power amp does one thing. It amplifies a line-level signal (such as the output of a tuner, CD, or pre-amp) to a large enough current to drive speakers. A pre-amp MAY also amplify a signal from a source to a level that can be used by a power amp. It also provides volume control and switching between different sources. So a typical chain is
source(s)->pre-amp->amp->speakers.
An integrated amp is simply one unit which combines a pre-amp and amp.
Now comes the can of worms - If a power amp can be driven directly by a source, why not just have a passive volume control, and possibly a switch to select between sources? Why do you need an active pre-amp (i.e., one that amplifies)? Many people believe that you don't. Indeed, some "integrated amps" are simply power amps with passive controls.
Some people, however believe that it is very unlikely that the output from a source will be an "ideal" signal for the amplifier, and that an active pre-amp is necessary for the best sound.
So can you see the road that leads to "audiophilia"? Passive or active, separate or integrated, tubes or solid-state, digital or analog? Just remember, let your ears and your emotional connection to the music be the guide.