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What’s in a watt

Ok guys, here’s my current dilemma. 

I’m running my TV into an OPPO BDP-105D, which in turn is plugged into my MA6500. AppleTV is my main music/tv source, so now, we have 4 different components in play for the system. I’m running Focal 1028BE II with a pair of Velodyne VX-11 subs hooked onto the pre out from the Mac. 

Not a high priced system, but it sounds great in my smallish living room and I can (and do) listen for hours on end without fatigue.

The problem: the OPPO is on the fritz and is no longer made or supported. The other problem: while she knows how to use the system, my wife finds it to be a pain in the ass. The OPPO randomly powering off was the last straw. She watches TV on her phone and listens through AirPods when I’m not home to avoid all the components. 

I’m building a separate theatre room, so the system were discussing is strictly 2 channel w/subs. 

Ive been eyeing the Anthem STR Integrated as a good option to centralize the whole system into one box. Then, the Naim Unity line was recommended to me and it looks really intriguing. The Anthem is in the high end range for what I would like to spend, about $4500. This puts the Unity Atom in my sights. My concern is that at 40 watts, I might come up short with certain types of music, especially if we move to a bigger home.

I’ve been told that ‘Naim watts’ are superior to other watts and that it’s 40 would outperform the 120 in my MA6500 but I’m skeptical and don’t want to short change myself in the long run for ease of use now. 

I’d love to get the communities thoughts and recommendations on what a good direction or solution to current situation might be. 

Thanks!
hybrid81

Showing 5 responses by hybrid81

hybrid81 OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for the reply, Auxinput. 

The Mac and the Focals pair very well. I’ve had other amps, and still have a Cronus Magnum boxed in need of repair in the cellar. Great amp, but I like the convenience of SS these days. 

I’m happy with the sound. It’s more about merging down as much as I can into one box, without sacrificing quality.

Not sure I want to go through the hassle of getting the OPPO repaired. It is out of warranty at this point and I’m pretty sure my model may not be supported at this point. Worth finding out, though after shipping and repair costs, I’m guessing it might not be worth it. 

Any purchase I make would likely involve trading/selling the Mac. They go for between $1800-$2600 online, so that takes a nice bite out of whatever I could end up with. 

Ideally, I’d end up with an all in one solution that fits all needs, or something that could be upgraded, perhaps by adding an external amp at a later date. 
hybrid81 OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies. 

Elevik, you were right about the OPPO’s volume control. I went to fixed and started controlling from the Mac and I actually do seem to notice a difference. Just a little bit more vibrant at mid to high volumes. 

Crazy. Thanks for the heads up. 

Glennewdick I haven’t checked into the Lyngdorf offerings. I will definitely research them tonight. Not looking to wait too long to make a move. The techie in me says go Naim, but the sensible part of me says the Anthem is the better piece of kit. 

dracule1, what you state is what I’ve always believed. I did some very unscientific testing today and measured where, approximately, the low end Unity would run out of steam based on the meter positions on the Mac. It could get pretty loud, but at around 40ish watts it wasn’t so loud that it made me uneasy. When I think about cranking the system and working around the house, 40 ‘Naim watts’ might not cut it. 

hybrid81 OP
32 posts
 
The Lyngdorf is interesting. The only major advantage I see over the Anthem is the HDMI option. That add on puts it at the same price as the Anthem, but the Anthem has way more power and a lot of the Lyngdorf add-ons are already built into it. 

The Lyngdorf is rated at 170 watts at 4 ohms. The Anthem is rated at 200 watts at 8 ohms, and up to 550 down to 2. Seems like no contest there. It also already has USB and analog inputs at no extra cost, as well as bass management in addition to its own room correction software, ARC. 

From a value perspective alone, the Anthem seems to be the better bet. The HDMI in/out on the Lyngdorf would be nice, but not really necessary. The real question, though, is how do they sound?!

Not familiar with the ‘house sound’ of either, if they even have one. 

Both nice looking pieces of kit, though. 
hybrid81 OP
32 posts
 
Very insightful stuff, Auxinput. I agree that Focals, at least the Electras, can be harsh and or lean with the wrong amplification. Found that out when I paired them with an Emotiva at one point.

Im starting to think that perhaps just replacing the OPPO would be a better way to go. DAC/Streamer combo that runs into the Mac might get the job done.

So many options. I really like the idea of room correction, but I’m pretty happy with how the system is dialed in right now...for the most part. Except that wifey would prefer one box to rule them all. Ugh. 
hybrid81 OP
32 posts
 
Few things with the Hint:

1. No room correction. I feel like I’d really like to give that a go as my listening space is less then ideal. 
2. It is, in my humble opinion, butt ugly. 
3. I do like the individual sub and tone controls.
4. Good power that should be more then enough for now and later.
5. No network adapter that I could see. 

The price is not bad, but I feel like it has a lot of stuff I won’t use, like USB, a bunch of analog inputs, and a bunch of balanced inputs and outputs. 

Certianly something to consider though. The Lyngdorf has moved to the top of the list for the moment. I’m looking to get an in home demo of that unit hopefully today. The Anthem is next on the list for now because of the similar price point, more power, and room correction. It also has lots I don’t need, but more that I’d like to have.
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