Regardless of a component being on a "Recommended" list or given a "Class A" or "Class B" rating, does it work in your room? Does it match your system?
Most of the problems I see with friends and other audiophiles is that they are trying so hard to place highly regarded pieces of equipment into systems that do not benefit. Quite often I see people committed to speakers that are too big for their listening room or that they spend $1000's trying to find an amplifier that will drive them well.
One friend has a custom-made 11 wpc Class A tube amp that drives Tannoy dual-concentric 15" speakers from the 60's and his system sounds better than most $100,000 plus systems and he has ALL the power he needs.
The guideline should be: what works for you and your room, and you can only tell when you try it out and listen to it. The reviews help, but they should not be considered the final word.
Most of the problems I see with friends and other audiophiles is that they are trying so hard to place highly regarded pieces of equipment into systems that do not benefit. Quite often I see people committed to speakers that are too big for their listening room or that they spend $1000's trying to find an amplifier that will drive them well.
One friend has a custom-made 11 wpc Class A tube amp that drives Tannoy dual-concentric 15" speakers from the 60's and his system sounds better than most $100,000 plus systems and he has ALL the power he needs.
The guideline should be: what works for you and your room, and you can only tell when you try it out and listen to it. The reviews help, but they should not be considered the final word.