What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

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Ely
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What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier? In my mind, those are the same thing. I have heard those words used interchangeably.  

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Demo
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Re: What is the difference between a receiver and an amplifier?

A traditional receiver is composed of three sections, a preamplifier, an amplifier, and a tuner. Although I don't think many people use their home theater system for listening to FM radio, that still is part of the traditional definition. But from the beginning, the preamp and amp were handled by dedicated units with their own power supplies and with their components and wiring separated to avoid interference.  That approach is still followed today at the high end.

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