Quote:
Originally Posted by Don_M
The very best pre-amps and distribution amplifiers are those used by cable-headend engineers and designers of high-end master antenna systems. They cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Most homeowners wouldn't notice any difference between professional gear versus quality equipment made for residential use, so such a "relentless pursuit of perfection," to steal the carmaker's phrase, would be impractical.
In the home market, pre-amps and distribution amps made by Channel Master and Winegard are the most widely respected band names. Each company offers a wide range of high-performance products in both categories at competitive prices ($35-$100 range). Deciding which one might be best for you depends on factors such as local signal strengths and how many TVs you wish to connect into an antenna system.
Please be aware that amplifiers are designed to counteract losses from long cables and splitters only; they do not make up for an inadequate antenna. The majority of viewers with one or two TVs and less-than-ideal reception don't need an amplifier at all -- they need either a better antenna, or replacements for weathered/worn out/failed antenna-system components.
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So do both pre-amps and distribution amps basically do the same job? I've always been under the impression that the only difference between the two are that the distribution amp can be located further down the line from the antenna.
