Anthem STR Power Amp vs Parasound JC5


Hi. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences with the Anthem STR Power amp and the Parasound JC5? Both amps seem like world class amps with similar power ratings (400W @8ohms). For context, I'm interested in them to power some Paradigm Persona towers in a 7.2.4 atmos system that is 70% games/movies and 30% music. I currently have a Parasound Halo A21 and I love it but was curious about the Anthem STR as it's gotten rave reviews (and is the sister company of Paradigm so should be a good match).

The only head to head comparison I know of so far ( HometheaterReview ) mentioned that the Anthem seemed to have deeper power reserves than the JC5 and I've gotten the impression so far that the JC5 is great for music but may not be better than the Anthem for movies. Any thoughts on that?
tistru

@listru - I don't know where you're located, but in the USA, Crutchfield sells the STR amp and offers a 45-day return policy. I think that will cost you $10. But yes, you have to pay first, then get a refund when it's returned.

I think they sell Parasound, also.

My local Anthem dealer was willing to match Crutchfield's terms when I asked them to do so.

@mike_in_nc Yes I've purchase from Crutchfield before and they are great. One of the best online dealers I've worked with. I will definitely consider them for purchase of the amp

Of course, everything is out of stock currently on Crutchfield due to chip shortages 😒

I had the the persona 7f. A local dealer had them in his main listening room for a year and I got to hear them with the str int, no dice. the separates are much better, my hegel did amazing things with the bass but put to much energy into the mids. We tried lumin and it was good if not special, a couple others also. My favorite and the reason I finally bought the persona was a Pathos Logos mk2. The persona unmasked everything they plugged into it and the str seperate was pretty cool in the way it soundstaged but the ultra tight imaging made the musicians seem like mi iatures. The pathos sweetened up the mids and gave the music a lifelike presentation.

We are a persona dealer

 

We also sell the anthem and parasound 

As well as hegel coda and krell

 

The coda and krell arereally spectacular 

With the personnas

Dave ane Troy

AUDIO INTELLECT NJ