Music is listened to in various forms, but the minimum necessary equipment for listening to good music is a player, speakers, and an amplifier.
Players nowadays can be smartphones or tablets that play iTunes or Amazon Music, CD players, or record players that play analog records. Everyone knows about speakers, too. And the amplifier is a device that amplifies the music signal input from the player (to amplify, in English) and switches between multiple music signals. Once you have these three pieces of equipment, you can finally enjoy music with good sound.
For beginners in audio, you might understand speakers, but wonder, 'What about an amplifier?' After all, you can listen to music with just a player and headphones.
So, what exactly is an amplifier?
"An amplifier is a device that works to refine the sound to a better state before it comes out of the speakers."
Generally, the music signal output from the player is very small, so the amplifier amplifies the small music signal to a level that can be played through speakers. In the world of audio, what is important is how faithfully the reproduced sound signal is delivered to the ears. However, in reality, each amplifier has its own sound characteristics, such as strong treble, emphasized bass, warmth, or coolness. There are various types and characteristics, from digital amplifiers to tube amplifiers. Finding an amplifier that suits your taste or music genre can also be one of the enjoyments of audio.
In any case, an amplifier that amplifies the sound signal is an indispensable presence for enjoying music with 'good sound.'
Preamplifier and Power Amplifier?
Amplifiers are roughly divided into two types: preamplifiers and power amplifiers.
'Preamplifier' is an amplifier that allows you to connect input music players (smartphones, CDs, record players, etc.) at the same time, select which device you want to listen to music on, and adjust the sound quality and volume. Although it is called an amplifier, it does not amplify the signal level, so there is no terminal for connecting speakers. Therefore, if you only have one choice to connect to the playback device, or if you don't need an equalizer function for listening to records, you may not need a preamplifier as long as the power amplifier has a volume control (if it's a smartphone or tablet, you don't even need a volume). However, for the sake of the preamplifier's reputation, the preamplifier is a reliable presence that allows the reproduced music signal to be neatly arranged and evolve one step or two to a rich and glossy tone from the high range to the low range.
It plays the role of amplifying the music signal sent from the preamplifier or player so that the sound can be output from the speakers."Power amplifier"It is. The sound is transmitted from the power amplifier to the speakers. A power amplifier literally amplifies the signal that is sent to it so that it can drive the speakers so that you can listen to music. In order to generate that driving force, most power amplifiers have a reinforced power supply section and a built-in large, heavy transformer. Depending on the power amplifier's ability (depending on its strength), there will be a difference in the speakers that can be driven. If the amplifier is weak compared to the speakers, the speakers will not be able to demonstrate their true potential, and if the speakers are weak compared to the amplifier, you will not be able to get a satisfactory sound. In either case, you are unable to hear the ideal sound that you would originally be able to express. Choosing one that matches the specs to a certain extent is necessary to enrich your music life.
As mentioned above, amplifiers in which the preamp section and power section are independent are called separate amplifiers. When it comes to separate amplifiers, it becomes more fun to combine products from different manufacturers and pursue the sound you like.
Click here for the preamplifier page
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=29
power amplifierClick here for the page of
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=28
A type where the pre section and power section are integrated."Pre-main amplifier"Or"Integrate Amplifier"They are called this. Each manufacturer offers a lineup of power amplifiers that omit part of the preamp section and include volume control, so it is also possible to use one of these as the main amplifier by itself.
For example,Bakoon ProductsCAP-1001
A small power amplifier with volume control that is small enough to use on a desktop. It has two input systems: RCA terminals on the back and a phone jack on the front panel. The front input can connect mobile players or smartphones, so as soon as you get home, you can connect to the CAP-1001 and fully enjoy high-quality high-resolution music. It is small, but the sound is authentic and delivers an amazing sound that you wouldn't expect from its appearance.
The page for this product is here
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=587
ASTORTO-KT88KGIN
A vacuum tube power amplifier with three input systems and volume control. It is a genuine amplifier that allows you to enjoy players other than records, such as CDs, cassette decks, smartphones, and tablets, without a preamp.
The page for this product is here
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=633
Yoshishiba Audio 50single
This is also a power amplifier with volume control. It is an amplifier full of the dedication of a vacuum tube amplifier craftsman, with a focus on low-range expression.
The page for this product is here
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=133
And now, a vacuum tube amplifier where retro and future feelings fuse.
What kind of amplifier is a vacuum tube amplifier, which we handle a lot at our store?
It is an amplifier that uses vacuum tubes to amplify signals. Not limited to amplifiers, televisions and radios in the past also all used vacuum tubes to amplify sound. However, the demand for the three high aspects of vacuum tubes—heat, production, and space—decreased, and various electrical products were replaced by inexpensive and highly productive transistors. Audio equipment was no exception, with transistor-based products becoming mainstream, and amplifiers using vacuum tubes drastically decreased to the point that they were mostly produced by small to medium-sized audio manufacturers.
The traditional general image has been that transistor amplifiers are ‘cold-sounding’ compared to tube amplifiers and lack the unique softness and warmth of tubes. Tube amplifiers are considered to have a warm, retro sound, while transistor amplifiers are perceived as sharp and modern. However, nowadays, it can be said that this is no longer the case. Firstly, the precision of internal components such as transistors and capacitors has improved dramatically, and at the same time, technology has advanced overwhelmingly. Originally, whether it is a tube or transistor amplifier, the goal of faithfully reproducing the reproduced sound should result in a sound that is equally free of impurities, highly transparent, and clear.
Tube amplifiers are manufacturedASTORwith very high precision, sophistication, and clarity, which differs from the traditional image of tube amplifiers. This is becauseASTORhas the policy of 'faithfully reproducing the original sound.'
ASTORProducts from
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=18
Also,Bakoon Productsmanufactures amplifiers using its own developed IC chips, which are highly praised by audio enthusiasts and audio magazines around the world for their overwhelming transparency and detailed reproduction. They also have the policy of 'faithfully reproducing the original sound.'
Bakoon ProductsProducts from
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=17
On the other hand, there are brands that create their own unique sound, believing that this is the way to enjoy the sound of tube amplifiers and music.
The tube amplifier manufacturerYoshishiba Audioreproduces the sensibilities of vintage tube amplifiers at a high level with modern technology, and their sound design is very conscious of low frequencies, especially for jazz, creating a very enjoyable sound that lifts your mood when listening.
Products from Yoshishiba Audio
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=42
And the tube amplifiers fromYamamoto Sound Craft, which are globally recognized and very popular, produce delicate, rich, and warm sounds in the midrange, which might very well represent the typical image of tube sound.
Yamamoto Sound CraftProducts from
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=13
Tube amplifiers come in a variety of designs that make use of the tubes, ranging from retro-style to futuristic-style designs. Choosing one to match your interior can be an enjoyable part of the experience.
The manufacturers we handle here are all products imbued with craftsmanship, hand-crafted by amplifier artisans and designers scattered across Japan like the lower-town rockets.
Nowadays, vacuum tube amplifiers have become much easier to handle. They do not require difficult adjustments, so even beginners can enjoy them with peace of mind.
They are recommended not only for those who have just started with audio, but also for veteran audio fans, or for those who have been away from audio for a while but want to enjoy good sound again.
