Music is listened to in many forms, but the bare minimum equipment required to listen to good music is a player, speakers, and an amplifier.
Players are now smartphones and tablets that play iTunes and Amazon Music, CD players, and record players that play analog records. Everyone knows the speakers. Then there's the amplifier, which is a device that amplifies the music signal input by the player (amplify in English) and switches between multiple music signals. Only when these three devices are in place will you be able to listen to music with good sound.
If you are a beginner in audio, you may know the speakers, but what is an amplifier? It may be. If you have a player and headphones, you can listen to music.
So, what is an amplifier? Are..
"Before emitting sound from the speakers, the work of the amplifier is to make the sound better.
In general, the music signal output from the player is very small, so the amplifier amplifies the small music signal to make it sound at a level that can be played by speakers. In the world of audio, what is important is how to deliver the reproduced sound signal to the ear in its original form. However, in reality, each amp has its own sound characteristics, such as strong high frequencies, emphasis on low frequencies, warmth and coldness, and various types and characteristics from digital amplifiers to tube amplifiers. One of the pleasures of audio is to find an amplifier that suits your taste and music genre.
In any case, an amplifier that amplifies the sound signal is indispensable for enjoying music with "good sound".
Preamps and power amps??
Amplifiers can be broadly classified into two types: preamplifiers and power amplifiers.
"Preamp" is an amplifier that allows you to connect a music player (smartphone, CD, record player, etc.) at the same time, select which device to listen to music on, and adjust the sound quality and volume. Although it is called an amplifier (amplification), it almost does not amplify the signal level, so there is no terminal to connect the speakers. Therefore, if you have only one choice to connect to the player, or if you do not need the equalizer function to listen to records, as long as the power amplifier has a volume control (if it is a smartphone or tablet, you do not even need the volume), it can be said that a preamplifier is not necessary. However, for the sake of the preamplifier's honor, the music signal reproduced by the preamplifier is neatly arranged, and it is a reliable presence that evolves a step or two from the high frequency range to the rich and lustrous tone from the high to the low range.
It plays a role in amplifying the music signal sent from the preamplifier or player so that the sound can be produced from the speakers."Power Amplifier"Are. It transmits sound from its power amplifier to the speakers. A power amplifier literally amplifies the signal sent to you so that you can drive the speakers, so that you can listen to music. Most power amplifiers have a large and heavy transformer built into them by strengthening the power supply section to generate the driving force. Depending on the ability (power) of this power amplifier, the speaker that can be driven will make a difference. If the amplifier is not powerful against the speakers, the original capabilities of the speakers cannot be demonstrated, and if the speakers are weak against the amplifier, the sound will not be satisfactory. In both cases, it is a state in which you cannot hear the ideal sound that you would normally be able to express. It is necessary to choose something that matches the specifications of each other to some extent in order to enrich your music life.
As mentioned above, an amplifier in which the pre part and the power part are independent are called separate amplifiers. When it comes to separate amplifiers, you can combine them from different manufacturers to increase the fun of pursuing your favorite sound.
Click here for the preamplifier page
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=29
Power amplifierClick here for the page
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=28
A type in which the pre-part and the power part are integrated"Pre-main amplifier"or"Integrated Amplifier"It is called. Each manufacturer has a lineup of power amplifiers with volume control that omits part of the pre-amplifier, so it is possible to use it as a main amplifier in one unit.
For instanceBakun Products CAP-1001
It is a power amplifier with volume control that is small enough to be used on a desktop. There are two input systems: the RCA terminal on the back and the phone jack on the front panel. The input on the front can be connected to a mobile player or smartphone, so you can connect to the CAP-1001 as soon as you get home and enjoy high-quality high-resolution music to your heart's content. It's small, but the sound is authentic and makes you hear a wonderful sound that you can't imagine from the appearance.
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https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=587
Astro Electronics TO-KT88KGIN
The tube power amplifier has been increased to three input systems and has a volume control. It is a full-fledged system that allows you to enjoy non-vinyl CDs, cassette decks, smartphones, tablets, and other players without a preamp.
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https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=633
Yoshishiba Acoustics 50single
This is also a power amplifier with volume control. It is an amplifier filled with the commitment of tube amp craftsmen who focus on the expression of low frequencies.
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https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=133
And now a tube amplifier that combines retro and futuristic sensibilities
What kind of amplifier is the tube amplifier that we handle a lot?
It is an amplifier that amplifies signals using vacuum tubes, but not only amplifiers, but also televisions and radios used vacuum tubes to amplify sound in the past. However, the demand for three-high vacuum tubes, which eat up heat, production, and space, has diminished, and various electrical products have been replaced by cheaper and more productive transistors. As usual, transistor-based audio equipment has become mainstream, and the number of amplifiers using vacuum tubes has drastically decreased to the extent that small and medium-sized audio manufacturers manufacture them.
The general image from a long time is that transistor amplifiers have a warm, retro sound, and transistor amplifiers have a sharp and modern sound, but now I think it is safe to say that there is no such feeling. First of all, the accuracy of internal components such as transistors and capacitors has improved dramatically, and at the same time, technology has advanced overwhelmingly. In order to faithfully reproduce the original sound, whether it is a vacuum tube or a transistor, the sound should be clear and transparent without impurities in the same way.
Manufacture tube amplifiersAstro Electronics PlanningThe amplifier is very precise, sophisticated, and transparent, which is different from the image of conventional tube amps. This is because Astro Electronic Planning has a policy of "faithfully reproducing the original sound".
Click here for Astro Electronics' products
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=18
In addition, the company manufactures amplifiers using proprietary IC chipsBakun Productshas been praised by audiophiles and audio magazines around the world for its overwhelming transparency and detailed reproduction. It is also a policy to "faithfully reproduce the original sound".
Click here for Bakun Products' products
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=17
On the other hand, this is what it means to enjoy the sound and music of a tube amp! There are also brands that create their own sounds.
Tube Amplifier ManufacturerYoshishiba AcousticsWhile reproducing the sensibility of the sound of tube amps in the past at a high level with modern technology, jazz is a very pleasant sound that makes you feel uplifted when you listen to it, because jazz is a bass sound.
Click here for Yoshishiba Acoustics' products
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=42
And it is known worldwide and very popularYamamoto Acoustic CraftsThe tube amp has a delicate, warm sound with a rich midrange, which may be an image of a very tube-like sound.
Click here for Yamamoto Acoustic Crafts' products
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=13
Tube amplifiers come in a variety of designs that make use of vacuum tubes, from retro-like designs to futuristic designs. It's also fun to choose according to the interior.
The manufacturers we handle are all products with craftsmanship created by hand by amp craftsmen and designers scattered all over Japan, like downtown rockets.
Tube amps are much easier to handle now. There is no need for difficult adjustments, and beginners can enjoy it with confidence.
It is recommended for those who are just starting out in audio, veteran audiophiles, and those who have been away from audio for a while but want to listen to it again with good sound.
