Circuit City Electrical Retailer - Online: Now There's Even More of Circuit City to Explore!

Circuit City Website › www.Circuit City.com › Circuit City Electrical › Circuit City Electronics Store › Circuit City Website › Circuit City Electrical › Circuit City Television › Circuit City Electronics Website › Circuit City › Circuit City Store › Circuit City .com › Circut City › Circut City Store's › Circut City .com › Circut City Website › Circuit City Rebate › Electronics Stores › Circuit City Website › www.circuit-city.com › www.circuitcity online › Consumer Electronics › Circuit City Online Store › Circuit City Rebates › Circuit City Electrical Stores › Circuit City Electrical Retailer › Circuit City Electrical Shop › Circuit City Website › Circuit City Electronics Online Shop › Circut City Online › Circuit City Online Shop › Circuit City Discounts › Circuit City Online Store in Electronics Games Movies Popular Music Classical Music Home Audio & Video DVD Players and VCRs Televisions Home Audio · Home Theater Systems · Receivers · Home Speakers · CD Players and Recorders · Cassette Decks · Turntables and Accessories · Mini Systems · Audio Cables and Connections · Audio Tapes, Discs, Care, and Mics · Headphones · Audio Stands · Speaker Stands Portable Electronics Car Electronics Satellite TV Systems Audio and Video Accessories Audio and Video Furniture Sharper Image Camcorders and Photo Cameras and Camcorders Home Office Computers, Printers, and PDAs Peripherals and Accessories Internet and Home Networking Wireless Phones Phones and Office Electronics Office Furniture Software Music & Movies CDs and Cassettes DVD and VHS Movies Toys and Games Kids Electronics Video Games Gift Cards Services Weekly Ad Rebates Help & Services Join Affiliates Corporate Sales Investor Info Circuit City Info Careers Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Partnership Receivers Shop For Receivers Basics What do you want to learn about Receivers? Basics HK CD Player Technologies Surround Sound Other Components Glossary Every audio system needs speakers and a source of sound - typically radio, tape, CD or Video. To get the source to play through the speakers we need to do the following: Amplify the signal to achieve our desired loudness. Customize the sound to our desire (balance it out, add bass or treble etc.). In the beginning of hi-fi, there were simply power amps and pre-amps . The pre-amp would accept the signals from several sources, let you select the one you wanted and then let you balance it out and adjust the tone before passing the source signal on to the amplifier. The power amplifier simply made the sound bigger so that our speakers would play at decent volume levels. Some companies began making pre-amps and power amps in one box and these became known as integrated amps . FM stereo tuners also started to become considered a high fidelity source component and one day someone at Harman Kardon got the bright idea of putting all three components in one box and the stereo receiver - a tuner, pre-amp and power amp combination - was born! Stereo and surround sound receivers dominate today's hi-fi market because they offer excellent performance, are convenient to use, place and set-up, and they save consumers money when compared with "separates". Separates though, still dominate at the high end of the audio market since you can really customize the features of each component and focus on performance without mass market cost constraints. Nevertheless, for most people, today's receivers provide the best combination of performance, features and value. Power Amplifiers Whether sold as a separate unit or as part of an integrated amp or receiver, the job of a power amplifier is to take a small electrical signal and make it big enough to drive speakers to acceptable volume levels. It must do this without adding any sound of it's own to the source signal and without distortion. The power an amplifier produces is measured in watts per channel which is probably the most important specification people want to know. Let's take a look at a typical manufacturer's "power spec" to decode it: " 100 watts per channel (both channels driven) from 20-20,000 Hz into 8 ohms with no more than .02% THD " What this manufacturer is saying is that the amplifier is capable of producing 100 watts into each stereo channel at the same time, over the full audible frequency range into an 8 ohm speaker load with inaudible total harmonic distortion! This power statement with all the variables is an FTC requirement for home audio amplifiers to enable you to compare products. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you much about how the receiver sounds and performs on real music, but at least it is a start! Wattage is actually misunderstood by most people who relate it directly to volume. Wattage is much more important to giving an amplifier the ability to capture all the loud and soft dynamics of real music without strain and distortion. Typically, people moving up in wattage speak of the new clarity of their music... not how loud it has gotten. It's pretty tough to find a bad sounding amp or receiver out there today, but there are sonic differences that you can hear between models... which is why some 100 watt amps cost more than others. If you are interested in better sound quality, here are some construction details to look for: Discrete Circuitry - separate transistors, resistors, diodes rather than integrated circuit chips. Large Filter Capacitors - capacitors store energy which can be then used to fully capture musical peaks. Large Power Transformers and High Current Capability - this translates into better performance at all frequencies as loudspeaker impedance changes and allows greater dynamic range without distortion. Current is measured in AMPS ... why do you think they're called amplifiers instead of wattifiers??!! Wide Power Bandwidth - even though we can't hear more than 20-20,000Hz, an amp that can go beyond this is a good thing. Just as you want a car that can go more than 65mph, you want an amp with wide bandwidth. Ask your Product Specialist for a comparative demonstration of similar "wattage" amps with and without these features and we think you'll be surprised at the sonic improvement you'll hear. Power Amps come in a variety of "channel" options today. 2 Channel "Stereo" - used for standard stereo applications AND can also be used to upgrade a standard stereo receiver for center and surround channels in with a Dolby ProLogic processor. Many 2 channel amps can be bridged to "mono" for a massive single channel power source. 3 pairs of stereo amps can also be used to set up a six channel Dolby digital surround amplification system. 5 channel amps - perfect for Dolby Digital surround systems with a self powered subwoofer or Dolby ProLogic systems with a passive subwoofer! As you can see, separate power amps give you flexibility for future system building that you don't get in most receivers or integrated amps. Circuit City carries power amps and integrated amps from a variety of manufacturers. Pre-Amplifiers The big decision in pre-amps today revolves around whether or not you'll be setting up a home theater surround sound system with your audio system. If so, then you'll want a pre-amp section that includes Dolby ProLogic® or Dolby Digital® decoding OR the outputs required for separate decoders. Beyond this, you'll want to be sure there are enough inputs so you can handle all the various sources available today that you might have or get in the future, inluding: CD Tape VCR's DVD TV DSS Dish Computer Sound, etc. Many pre-amps also have special "spatial" circuits designed to enhance your listening experience from Carver's infinite deceleration circuitry to digital signal processing for theater, club, hall, etc., today's pre-amps can expand your listening room beyond the four walls and simulate real concert environments without sounding phony. These same options are available in the pre-amp sections of today's better receivers. Since the introduction of quartz locked, digital tuning, there's really not a whole lot to talk about with tuners since they've all gotten so good! If you are having reception problems, the best investment you can make is in a quality FM antenna system . A good antenna will reject interference and provide a good, strong signal to the tuner. Many manufacturers are now building their tuners into their pre-amps creating a new component called the pre-amp/tuner which makes a lot of sense from a cost standpoint without any sacrifice in functionality or performance. Receivers Most receivers we sell today are designed for audio/video surround sound and use with 4 or more channels of amplification and Dolby ProLogic® or Dolby Digital® decoding. Modest Surround sound receivers are available today for as little as $200 (or as much as $2800!) so most customers today are opting for a home theater capability. All of the things we noted above on choosing a good amp - discrete circuitry, large power supplies, high current capability etc . - go into making an excellent receiver too, but even modestly priced receivers can turn your audio/video system into a thrilling home theater environment! Here's a few things you might want to consider when shopping: Will the remote control take care of the rest of my components too? How many inputs will I need to take care of all the sources I own? Will I need "S" video jacks for some of my video components? Is there a subwoofer output and is it controllable from the remote? Do I want DTS/Dolby Digital now or the ability to add it later? Do I want to have digital signal processing in addition to surround sound? Do I need to plug in a turntable ? (Most receivers have eliminated this feature!) Are there pre-amp level outputs for each channel to allow for future expansion of my system? If you can answer the above questions, you are well on your way to being able to select a new receiver that will give you years of pleasure. If our store price is lower on the day you pick up your purchase, we will automatically adjust your purchase price to match the lower price. We cannot ship items outside of the USA due to manufacturer agreements. Home Page | Privacy Policy | Guaranteed Security | Automatic Price Protection | Terms Of Use | Contact Us | Circuit City Credit Card © 1996-2003 Circuit City® Stores, Inc. . Online shopping at Circuit City is affordable, easy and 100% secure. › www.Circuit City.com › www.Circuit City › Circuit City Electronics @ Circuit City-Online › Circuit City Electrical Stores

in Electronics Games Movies Popular Music Classical Music Home Audio & Video DVD Players and VCRs Televisions Home Audio · Home Theater Systems · Receivers · Home Speakers · CD Players and Recorders · Cassette Decks · Turntables and Accessories · Mini Systems · Audio Cables and Connections · Audio Tapes, Discs, Care, and Mics · Headphones · Audio Stands · Speaker Stands Portable Electronics Car Electronics Satellite TV Systems Audio and Video Accessories Audio and Video Furniture Sharper Image Camcorders and Photo Cameras and Camcorders Home Office Computers, Printers, and PDAs Peripherals and Accessories Internet and Home Networking Wireless Phones Phones and Office Electronics Office Furniture Software Music & Movies CDs and Cassettes DVD and VHS Movies Toys and Games Kids Electronics Video Games Gift Cards Services Weekly Ad Rebates Help & Services Join Affiliates Corporate Sales Investor Info Circuit City Info Careers Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Partnership Receivers Shop For Receivers Basics What do you want to learn about Receivers? Basics HK CD Player Technologies Surround Sound Other Components Glossary Every audio system needs speakers and a source of sound - typically radio, tape, CD or Video. To get the source to play through the speakers we need to do the following: Amplify the signal to achieve our desired loudness. Customize the sound to our desire (balance it out, add bass or treble etc.). In the beginning of hi-fi, there were simply power amps and pre-amps . The pre-amp would accept the signals from several sources, let you select the one you wanted and then let you balance it out and adjust the tone before passing the source signal on to the amplifier. The power amplifier simply made the sound bigger so that our speakers would play at decent volume levels. Some companies began making pre-amps and power amps in one box and these became known as integrated amps . FM stereo tuners also started to become considered a high fidelity source component and one day someone at Harman Kardon got the bright idea of putting all three components in one box and the stereo receiver - a tuner, pre-amp and power amp combination - was born! Stereo and surround sound receivers dominate today's hi-fi market because they offer excellent performance, are convenient to use, place and set-up, and they save consumers money when compared with "separates". Separates though, still dominate at the high end of the audio market since you can really customize the features of each component and focus on performance without mass market cost constraints. Nevertheless, for most people, today's receivers provide the best combination of performance, features and value. Power Amplifiers Whether sold as a separate unit or as part of an integrated amp or receiver, the job of a power amplifier is to take a small electrical signal and make it big enough to drive speakers to acceptable volume levels. It must do this without adding any sound of it's own to the source signal and without distortion. The power an amplifier produces is measured in watts per channel which is probably the most important specification people want to know. Let's take a look at a typical manufacturer's "power spec" to decode it: " 100 watts per channel (both channels driven) from 20-20,000 Hz into 8 ohms with no more than .02% THD " What this manufacturer is saying is that the amplifier is capable of producing 100 watts into each stereo channel at the same time, over the full audible frequency range into an 8 ohm speaker load with inaudible total harmonic distortion! This power statement with all the variables is an FTC requirement for home audio amplifiers to enable you to compare products. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you much about how the receiver sounds and performs on real music, but at least it is a start! Wattage is actually misunderstood by most people who relate it directly to volume. Wattage is much more important to giving an amplifier the ability to capture all the loud and soft dynamics of real music without strain and distortion. Typically, people moving up in wattage speak of the new clarity of their music... not how loud it has gotten. It's pretty tough to find a bad sounding amp or receiver out there today, but there are sonic differences that you can hear between models... which is why some 100 watt amps cost more than others. If you are interested in better sound quality, here are some construction details to look for: Discrete Circuitry - separate transistors, resistors, diodes rather than integrated circuit chips. Large Filter Capacitors - capacitors store energy which can be then used to fully capture musical peaks. Large Power Transformers and High Current Capability - this translates into better performance at all frequencies as loudspeaker impedance changes and allows greater dynamic range without distortion. Current is measured in AMPS ... why do you think they're called amplifiers instead of wattifiers??!! Wide Power Bandwidth - even though we can't hear more than 20-20,000Hz, an amp that can go beyond this is a good thing. Just as you want a car that can go more than 65mph, you want an amp with wide bandwidth. Ask your Product Specialist for a comparative demonstration of similar "wattage" amps with and without these features and we think you'll be surprised at the sonic improvement you'll hear. Power Amps come in a variety of "channel" options today. 2 Channel "Stereo" - used for standard stereo applications AND can also be used to upgrade a standard stereo receiver for center and surround channels in with a Dolby ProLogic processor. Many 2 channel amps can be bridged to "mono" for a massive single channel power source. 3 pairs of stereo amps can also be used to set up a six channel Dolby digital surround amplification system. 5 channel amps - perfect for Dolby Digital surround systems with a self powered subwoofer or Dolby ProLogic systems with a passive subwoofer! As you can see, separate power amps give you flexibility for future system building that you don't get in most receivers or integrated amps. Circuit City carries power amps and integrated amps from a variety of manufacturers. Pre-Amplifiers The big decision in pre-amps today revolves around whether or not you'll be setting up a home theater surround sound system with your audio system. If so, then you'll want a pre-amp section that includes Dolby ProLogic® or Dolby Digital® decoding OR the outputs required for separate decoders. Beyond this, you'll want to be sure there are enough inputs so you can handle all the various sources available today that you might have or get in the future, inluding: CD Tape VCR's DVD TV DSS Dish Computer Sound, etc. Many pre-amps also have special "spatial" circuits designed to enhance your listening experience from Carver's infinite deceleration circuitry to digital signal processing for theater, club, hall, etc., today's pre-amps can expand your listening room beyond the four walls and simulate real concert environments without sounding phony. These same options are available in the pre-amp sections of today's better receivers. Since the introduction of quartz locked, digital tuning, there's really not a whole lot to talk about with tuners since they've all gotten so good! If you are having reception problems, the best investment you can make is in a quality FM antenna system . A good antenna will reject interference and provide a good, strong signal to the tuner. Many manufacturers are now building their tuners into their pre-amps creating a new component called the pre-amp/tuner which makes a lot of sense from a cost standpoint without any sacrifice in functionality or performance. Receivers Most receivers we sell today are designed for audio/video surround sound and use with 4 or more channels of amplification and Dolby ProLogic® or Dolby Digital® decoding. Modest Surround sound receivers are available today for as little as $200 (or as much as $2800!) so most customers today are opting for a home theater capability. All of the things we noted above on choosing a good amp - discrete circuitry, large power supplies, high current capability etc . - go into making an excellent receiver too, but even modestly priced receivers can turn your audio/video system into a thrilling home theater environment! Here's a few things you might want to consider when shopping: Will the remote control take care of the rest of my components too? How many inputs will I need to take care of all the sources I own? Will I need "S" video jacks for some of my video components? Is there a subwoofer output and is it controllable from the remote? Do I want DTS/Dolby Digital now or the ability to add it later? Do I want to have digital signal processing in addition to surround sound? Do I need to plug in a turntable ? (Most receivers have eliminated this feature!) Are there pre-amp level outputs for each channel to allow for future expansion of my system? If you can answer the above questions, you are well on your way to being able to select a new receiver that will give you years of pleasure. If our store price is lower on the day you pick up your purchase, we will automatically adjust your purchase price to match the lower price. We cannot ship items outside of the USA due to manufacturer agreements. Home Page | Privacy Policy | Guaranteed Security | Automatic Price Protection | Terms Of Use | Contact Us | Circuit City Credit Card © 1996-2003 Circuit City® Stores, Inc. Austin Reed UK - John Lewis Online - Crucial Memory Upgrade - CompUSA Online - Laura Ashley - Franklin Covey - Circuit City Website Circuit City Catalogue