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Anthem STR or Naim Uniti Nova for Paradigm Persona 3F?

Hi all, 

I'm planning AV for new construction with my family and the centerpiece will be the stereo system. I auditioned the Paradigm Persona 3F, powered by an Anthem STR integrated amp, and fell in love. So, now that I've got my speakers picked, I need to find an amp that sounds great but also fits the following criteria:
  • Simplicity is going to be key for this system. While I don't mind messing with multiple pieces of equipment to play a CD or stream music, my family does not have the same patience. 
  • The fewer boxes, the better for the same reasoning as above. If an amp has a built in network streamer or CD player, that's not a negative for me. 
  • Most of the music being played will be digital, so the amp has to have a great DAC. I'm open to a separate DAC but I don't feel it'd fit my budget easily. 
  • Budget for the amp is ideally around 6k, but I am able to go higher if the amp incorporates another component, such as a network streamer. 
  • Home Theater Bypass is ideal, as I will be incorporating the system into a small HT setup. That said, 2ch music is the priority and what will the system will be used for the most. 
My current plan was this: I would use my Blu-ray player, either a Sony UBP-X1000ES or Panasonic DP-UB9000, as a CD transport. I am open to a separate transport if people feel that it would be better, but again, less boxes is better. That leaves only network streamer as the other digital source, which could be separate or could be incorporated into the amp. Currently, I am between the Anthem STR integrated and the Naim Uniti Nova. Here are my thoughts on both:

The Anthem STR sounded great on the Personas, although it's the only amp I auditioned them on. When I go back, I will try more. The included ARC room correction might be very useful to me, as these speakers will be in a large, long room with no ability for treatments other than a rug or two. Maybe the room correction will help in such a room more than a nicer amp... The cheaper price and higher power was nice, and integration into Control4 plus HT Bypass is ideal. 

I have not yet heard the Naim Uniti Nova, but it's reputation is great. I particularly like having the network streamer built in, but I worry that the power output may be too low. I will not likely be able to audition these on the Personas, so if anyone has heard this duo, or any of the Uniti line with them, I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts. Control4 integration is available but no HT Bypass... 

My dealer also has a Moon 340i that I heard with some B&Ws that sounded wonderful. He praised the DAC in it and I'd be open to this as well, but since it does not incorporate a CD player or network streamer and is near the top of my theoretical price range, I'm less inclined. That said, since I can audition it with the Personas, I likely will. 

Anyway, I'd be very grateful if people could weigh in on the STR vs the Nova (and 340i, if inclined), but I'm open to any thoughts on these speakers and powering them in general! Thanks in advance. 

bpryan
mike_in_nc
1,147 posts
 
@bpryan, Glad to answer your questions, but I’m afraid most of the answers will be "I don’t know."

I don’t know the technical differences between STR integrated and STR separates, other than the obvious (more power and more room for power supplies). But I see that this has been covered in a post by @cbrents73. I am not using the STR amp, as I had a recently purchased Bryston 4B3 in the system when I bought the STR pre.

Regarding the Naim, I don’t know what speakers were in use, but the setup is in the less elaborate room of the local high-end shop. BC*, I would visit the dealership on weekdays and just sit and listen. I agree that many speakers need power to be convincing, and that is something important to consider in making your choice.

If you are in the US, Crutchfield sells these units with the right of return for 60 days. I pointed that out to my local dealer, who with a little prodding, gave me similar terms when I bought the STR preamp from them.

It sounds like you are undertaking a very enjoyable project. Have fun!

*before COVID.

romney80
150 posts
 
I have used Naim Uniti Nova and loved them. The nova has everything done right. From build quality, ease of use, sound and functionality. I did not find any fault except for lack of home theater bypass and the fact that it takes only banana speaker plugs. It is hard to beat. The 80 watts rated by Naim is ver very conservative. They are very musical and also detailed. Audition them yourself if possible. You will not be disappointed. 
The only reason I am parting from it is because of love for "class A". Else this would have been a keeper for long long time. 
Anthem STR have great reviews. I had heard them at a dealer with Persona 5f and honestly, the room set up was not good there and that might be the reason I was not "very impressed". 
bpryan OP
5 posts
 
@romney80, what speakers did you use with the Nova, the Personas? Greta to hear your experience. I do find myself wondering if the wpc will matter too much, but I guess I just have to do my best to audition, whether it be at a shop or by ordering and returning if not satisfactory, like @mike_in_nc suggested with Crutchfield. Honestly, I'd order and bring into my dealer, but I'd feel a bit weird doing that if I can't order the amp from him. 
shahram
115 posts
 
Don’t worry about the wattage. Naim amps are conservatively rated as romney80 stated. Just look at the size of the toroidal transformer inside. It’s freakin’ massive. 80 watts of good power will drive the 92db sensitive Persona 3F with ease.
mike_in_nc
1,147 posts
 
I'm not sure if I was clear; my suggestion was to see if your local dealer would match, or come close to, Crutchfield's terms. Then you can decide where to buy.

I had to give up any chance of a discount to get the extended trial. I decided the trial was more important to me than the discount.
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