Diablo Utopia & D120

[Atomjohan]

Jean-Marie a different league as in the phantoms are not in the same higher league than the d120 and diablos I presume?
I'm hoping I will be satisfied with the phantoms that will I not need to spend near double to buy the speaker and amp combo. One thing that still makes me hesitate about the phantoms is that they're the first model and there's usually a big jump from first to second model in technology.

Dom,

I think there is always a matter of taste, but I personally consider a pair of Phantoms superior to a pair of Utopia Diablos with a D400.

I also consider a pair of Phantoms superior to my system made of a D120 and a pair of floor standers which I consider (again a subjective judgment) in the same league as the diablos although they cost a lot less.... the only drawback of the Phantoms for me is very personal and is that I consider that my speakers with their shape and woodcraft are more in harmony with the rest of my living room than a piece of modern art. This being said, if I did not have a system already, I know that my choice would go to a pair of Phantom because to build a system that would even come close to them, you would need to spend 3 to 4 times their price at least.

Jean-Marie

I must say I´m pretty intrigued by this statement. I was under the impression that the Phantoms were less expensive and more practical, but a bit less capable compared to a system with an expert line amplifier and high end speakers. 
But as you say, this is subjective; I can understand those finding the combination of Deviatel and Focal Diablo to be to much on the analytical side, if your in for a warmer and richer sound. I´m a owner of a D400 and Diablos myself, and at the moment looking to try the B&W 805d just to try the sound a bit on the other side of the scale.

But hearing this about the Phantoms I really need to give them a listen! 

Concerning the question if a D120 is enough to drive the Diablos, I can only speak of my own experience. I started with a D200 before moving to a D400. The D200 was very good but moving to D400 gave the sound some extra oomph, this is pretty obvious at lower volumes where I thought the D200 struggled some with the Diablos (loosing some soundstage and punch). Can´t say if this was due to the extra power or just going mono.Though this is at very critical listening , the D200 makes an excellent work with the Diablos. Sorry, don´t know if that helped you  

Johan