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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
rshad0000
269 posts
 
I have Utopia Scala Evos and use mine similar to the way you will(music, TVs, and movies).   If you have the dollars I would go with Gryphon(you can adjust the bias) or Naim.   Both are great with Focals in my opinion.   Good luck!  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
robert1976 OP

Robert I gave your answer to leaving it on all day with low heat and power consumption. Yet still having Class-A sound when listening.
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2078150




robert1976 OP
75 posts
 
@georgehifi

I read your suggestion, thank you. The low bias button is like a "stand by" button. Before a listening session you simply press the high bias button. The Mephisto has that too.


georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
robert1976 OP The low bias button is like a "stand by" button.
No, not stand-by because that means the amp is not on, but a low biased high wattage Class-A/B amp that you can just leave as a warm up or use for non serious listening, eg: parties, dinner parties, background music etc etc. No heat or big Class-A power bills.

Then if you want to listen seriously you just press the medium or high bias buttons, and there’s no wait time involved to listen to great Class-A sound.

Cheers George

pennpencil
118 posts
 
FWIW, the Pass Labs x250.8 gets no hotter than a warm (not hot) cup of tea after running for hours. (You could keep your hand on the amp for a long time...not that you'd want to.)
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