I see you said your home system is "all in one," so a few words about integration. "Separates," means that each component of your system is separate - Separate Sources - separate CD player, separate AM/FM tuner, separate tape player - Separate PreAmp - Separate Amplifier.
Integration. An integrated amplifier is an amplifier + preamp. An integrated amplifier allows you to connect one or more separate source inputs, provides you with the ability to select between sources from the amp, and outputs an amplified signal to the speakers.
Receivers. Receivers are the next step in integration, a source included in the same box with an integrated amplifier (preamp and amp). A stereo receiver gives you a source (FM tuner section), preamp and 2 channels of amplification. A home theater receiver gives you a source (FM tuner or for HT in a box, FM tuner and DVD player), preamp and amplification of 5, 6 or 7 channels.
