what is the difference between a pre-amp and a receiver

[cbosek]

i have no clue what the difference, i just see that pre-amps look more expensive and i dont know why

[Steve Eddy]

A receiver typically contains a preamplifier, a power amplifier and a tuner all in one chassis. Some prefer separate components where each component can be optimized. To that end you'll find separate preamplifiers, power amplifiers and tuners.

Some will put a preamplifier and a power amplifier in the same chassis but without a tuner and that's called an integrated amplifier.

se

[Jay]

Originally posted by cbosek
i just see that pre-amps look more expensive and i dont know why

That's because people won't build good expensive pre-amp in one box with tuner, amplifier, radio, video processor, etc.

And people won't build low quality pre-amp separately in one box, otherwise the box will be more expensive than the pre-amp...