Audio and speakers
Pre-outs
Line-level outputs on a receiver that carry each channel's processed signal to an external power amplifier, bypassing the built-in amps.
Pre-outs are RCA or XLR jacks that provide the receiver's decoded, bass-managed, room-corrected signal for one or more channels at line level. An external amplifier connected to them supplies the power while the receiver acts as the processor.
They are the upgrade path. A receiver with full pre-outs can drive more channels than it has amplifiers, power inefficient or low impedance speakers with a dedicated amp, and later become the front end of a separates system. Subwoofer outputs are pre-outs too.
Front left and right pre-outs are the most useful single pair to look for, followed by a full 11.2 or 13.2 set on a receiver you plan to expand. Typical pre-out voltage is 1 to 2 V RMS, enough to drive most power amplifiers to full output.
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