If there’s one thing the audio industry has made an art form, it’s using terminology that means almost, but not quite the same thing. A good example of this is with the terms ‘amplifier’ and ‘receiver.’ It can seem that they are completely interchangeable terms, but there are differences between the two. We’re going to cover them to see which is best for you.

An amplifier is the device that turns the low voltage signals from your source equipment into a signal with enough gain to be used to power a pair of speakers. The functions of an amp can be split into two main sections. The first allows you to collate and select multiple inputs and select the required level of gain and is generally referred to as the preamplifier. The second does the ‘heavy lifting’ and adds the gain to the signals in order to be used to power a pair of speakers. This is the power amplifier. If the functions are split into two boxes like the Edge NQand Edge W, these are referred to as pre and power amps. With amplifiers like our AXA35, both functions are placed in a single chassis and referred to as an integrated amplifier.

So far so good… but where do receivers fit into this? A receiver is an amplifier that has a radio section built in. The radio is selected like any other input on the amp but no other connection is needed other than a pair of speakers. If you have a home cinema amplifier with a radio in, it’s an AV Receiver. On a basic level, all receivers are amplifiers but not all amplifiers are receivers.

Receivers came into being in the 1960s as a way of saving space and offering the ability to directly access the radio, which at the time was second only to vinyl in popularity as a source. This meant that receivers came to dominate the market (in the US especially) and for a very long time, receivers outnumbered amplifiers.

The arrival of digital has seen radio compete with other sources but it’s still a fantastic way of discovering new music – or listening to your favourites. Because of this, most of the amplifiers we make are just… amplifiers. We do however recognise there are times when a receiver has some advantages. Our AX Range has three to choose from! AXR85 & AXR100 are both FM/AM Stereo Receivers (with 85W & 100W of power respectively). So, when should you consider a receiver instead of an amplifier? In the most straightforward situation: if you listen to the radio a lot.

There are some other considerations too. Our network streamers have internet radio functionality built into them so you may not have any interest in adding an FM tuner to your system. As with many areas of our product range, we feel that choice is important and as a result, we offer different options. Choose the right one for you and enjoy Great British Sound however you listen.