Combination in one component of an amplifier, preamplifier and tuner. The receiver is similar to an integrated amplifier with the exception of adding a radio tuner to receive radio broadcasts. eceivers are easy to incorporate into a system compared to separate amplifiers, preamplifiers and tuners. They provide the power, signal routing and source selection, volume control, and radio reception necessary in an audio system all in one device. Receivers offer a good value to the consumer while making audio/video easier to implement. However, receivers are generally less powerful and less flexible compared to separates (separate amplifier and preamplifier with most preamplifier incorporating a tuner). Receivers with pre-amp outputs will allow a user to bypass the internal amplification and shunt the task instead to an outboard amplifier making models with these connections more flexible for future growth. ince receivers share the same power supply and chassis components between all their functional units, they often do not provide the same level of quality that can be found in separate components. Additionally, many receiver amplifiers are not able to safely operate into low impedance loads down to or below 4 ohms. Receivers should be used with speakers having nominal impedances of 8 ohms in most cases (some receivers are robust enough to operate into low impedances without problems). eceivers are available in surround sound and stereo versions, although most now feature surround sound as a standard feature. They are also available with THX certification, Dolby Digital surround sound, and DTS surround sound (although these options are usually more costly and are not always found together). any receivers do not use five-way binding posts for their amplifier connections but instead use spring clips (or guillotine connections). Receivers that use five-way binding posts are preferable as those type of speaker wire connections are more flexible and able to handle thicker wire. eceivers provide a lot for the money and enable a user to get started quickly and with minimal hassles. However, their benefits should be weighed against their disadvantages compared to separate components – less flexibility now and in the future and lower overall quality in many cases (although receivers generally cost less sometimes making it impossible to create a separates system for the same price).