Savant amp vs. other AVRs

[horns187]

I'm looking at setting up a home automation system for my house and one of the Savant shop proposes using a Savant amplifiers instead of AVRs (for both my distributed audio - up to 16 pairs of speakers, and for 7.2 audio in home theater room). Does anybody have any opinion/experience on Savant amplifier and whether this is better than the branded AVRs (i.e. Denon, etc).

 

[ski2xblack]

The Savant 16 channel amp provides 40 watts into 8 ohms, 50 watts into 4 ohms. That looks fine for a distributed commercial type system consisting of in-cieling speakers, but woefully inadequate for HT or genuine music appreciation.

Typically, you choose your speakers first, then choose appropriate amplification for them. How far along in this process are you?

 

[horns187]

I'm in planning stage but will need to decide soon. Framing on house just started this week.