Amplifier and pre-amp/processor choice for Kef Reference 3 meta

[cessna631]

Hello! Long time lurker, first time poster.

I think I already know the answer is “no”, but here is a question: for 50% music, 50% home theater use, is there expected discernable difference between getting buckeye monoblocks for the reference 3 metas and using a receiver to cover a center versus getting a 3-channel buckeye amp that can cover all three channels? The center would be an r6 meta. Looking at the buckeye offerings, specifically the 1et6525sa and hypex ncx500.

2nd - any reason why so many people recommend class A and AB amps (hegel, rotel, mcintosh) over modern class D amps (like buckeye offerings) when measurements objectively show that well-designed class D amps are as good, if not better, than oldschool A and AB designs? These recommendations came on another website, but just curious.

Thank you for your insight!

 

[NTK]

Welcome to ASR!

1. It will depend on the quality of the amplifier in your receiver. The R6 Meta isn't exactly an easy load. For movies, the center channel is usually heavily used.

2. For some reason, audiophiles are often against technological progress. There is a saying that any technology popularized after a person reached 50'ish, it will often be considered the work of the devil by that person. (Think about the demographics of audiophiles.) Denigrating class D amplifiers just another case of this. Little difference from their preference of R-2R non-oversampling DAC's over sigma-delta, or tube over solid states, or minimal feedback over heavy use of feedback. It is illogical.