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
@hybrid81 - It seems like you are really focused on the features of an "all-in-one" solution.  One thing I would like to caution (again) is to pay more attention to component matching.  The Anthem STR integrated is a very good piece, but it is going to be very fast and high resolution.  It is definitely not warm or laid back.  The same goes with the Lyngdorf solution.
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I heard a set of mid level Focal Be speakers at RMAF.  They were driven by a very high resolution set of Classe Delta monoblocks.  While it was not bad, per say, the high resolution amp really revealed that the Focal sounded a bit thin in the midbass and midrange.  This tilted the emphasis to the highs and caused the speaker to be somewhat bright (bordering on harsh).  So, with your Focal speakers, component matching is definitely important.  (unless you don't care about this).
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I have a set of Focal speakers that I use as surrounds.  They are driven by a stock Parasound A21 amp.  The result is very good.  However, the stock parasound amp does not do well with my B&W D3 speakers and it ends up sounding too warm and veiled.  So the Focal speakers really need a warm and very full sounding amp.  When I try to bump up the amp resolution with the Focal speakers, they become a little hard edged and I lose body / volume.

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I don't know what your feature requirement is, but another "jack of all trades" integrated you could look at is the Parasound HINT 6.  It does not have Apple Airplay (like NAIM) or room correction like Anthem, but it has a crap load of inputs/features and may be a better sonic match to your Focal speakers.  
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Personally, I would avoid higher resolution integrateds such as Anthem, Lyngdorf, Classe, Hegel, etc.  But in the end, it depends on what your priorities are. lol.
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If you did end up choosing something like Anthem or Lyngdorf and found it became bright or harsh, then your solution would be to add as much gold-plated elements as possible to "slow down" the fast integrated.  This includes stuff like Isoclean or Hi-Fi Tuning "Cu" gold-plated fuses, gold-plated spades/bananas on pure copper speaker cable.  Gold plated plugs on power cords (such as Audioquest solid-core - an excellent.  And take out all silver or silver-plated elements.
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. 
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.
That is awsome that you’re getting an in-home demo of the Lyngdorf! Let us know what you think when you hear it!   Regarding the Anthem, the difference between 170 watts and 200 watts is not anything that you would be able to tell the difference on.  It would mainly be about sonic signature differences between Lyngdorf and Anthem.