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Living room system: class A or AB amps?

Would class A be suitable for a living room system? Apart from hi-fi listening sessions, it's also used a lot for watching TV.

Would it make more sense to get good class AB amplifiers, which can be switched on permanently without drawing huge amounts of power? I wouldn't want to warm-up an amp first before getting good sound.

For this system, I have so far only purchased the speakers: Focal Stella Utopia Evo. Room is big: 1,200 square feet with openings to hallways.

I'd consider to pair them with Gryphon Mephisto and Pandora. But that's class A...

Opinions and amp suggestions are welcome!

robert1976
robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@onhwy61 

True. The Pass Labs X600.8 stays in Class A up to 50W, which is quite high.
fatdaddy2
368 posts
 
Oh, you should obviously use [insert MY personal favorite here] with your Focals.  After spending so much on your speakers (hopefully from a reputable dealer), are you trying to tell us you are more willing to listen to a bunch of opinionated schnucks over the recommendations of your dealer, who probably has a lot more experience with amp pairing with those particular speakers than any of us, or did you go grey market to "save money'?
jirin4's avatar
jirin4
3 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La8GRwINIYI
Check out this video.
robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@fatdaddy

Did you just call your fellow forum contributors "schmucks"?

In my country, not a single Focal dealer has the Stella Evo's on demo. At $140,000 MSRP, who does? Even if they had the Stella's, they don't have the amplification to match it. So I have to travel and hear components separately.

I'm here to get suggestions and ideas (not to "listen" to anyone). That way I found out about Gryphon and the Mephisto. Which I will be auditioning this Friday. Thanks for contributing nothing but negativity.
robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@tvad 

How high is the ceiling?
It's 10ft to the plaster ceiling, then another 1/2ft to the concrete slab.
I'm about 12 feet away from the speakers.

Regarding doubling down when impedances halves: I think both Pass Labs and Luxman M-900u do a good enough job at that.

If going for Pass, I'd veer towards the X600.8 monoblocks.
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