What essential component consolidated preamplification, power amplification, and surround sound decoding into one chassis?

Answer

The Audio/Video (A/V) Receiver.

The evolution of the home theater system benefited immensely from the maturation of the Audio/Video (A/V) Receiver, which represented a significant step in simplifying complex setups. Previously, achieving surround sound required consumers to manage separate components: a preamplifier for control, a power amplifier for driving the speakers, and an external decoder box for processing the surround signal. The A/V receiver integrated the power amplification stages, signal switching, and the crucial digital audio decoding capabilities—such as processing Dolby Digital—into a single chassis. This consolidation dramatically reduced both the physical complexity and the required technical knowledge for consumers to set up a functioning surround sound system.

What essential component consolidated preamplification, power amplification, and surround sound decoding into one chassis?

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