Amplifiers
Amplifiers are the engine room of any sound system, providing the switching between components and the power to drive your loudspeakers. An integrated amplifier does all of these, while a pre and power amplifier combination shares the duties.
A phono amplifier is require to 'lift' the signal from a turntable to the standard line level accepted by all amplifiers. Some pre-amplifiers and integrated amplifiers have a phono amplifier built in, but for those who do not, a phono amplifier is required.
Headphone amplifiers are like integrated amplifier for headphones instead of loudspeakers. Selection of input and output power to drive a headphone regardless of impedance, is what can turn a good headphone into a great one.
