Paradigm Persona 5F

The AKM dac chips are a great match for the Personas. Stay away from the Sabre Dacs as they are tend to lean on the highly detailed/edgy with neutral electronics and a very revealing speaker.

the Persona midrange is their strength....

The Persona’s sounded spectacular with Anthem electronics when I heard them in 2018 at Axpona. This is to be expected as the 2 companies are related. The Anthem electronics I heard have a form of room correction to help dial them in. A great match and speaker. 

I struggle with a previous Kef owner liking the persona's. Being infatuated sure, even awestruck for a couple hours, but there's no comparison in how the speakers are voiced and i'm not saying one is better than the other, just different design goals.

Boy are your observations on target!  Then there’s the electronics, the cables, the room, the furniture, carpet or lack thereof, and so many other variables.  Finally, there’s our individual perceptions.  Ah to have a large room filled with many choices at home!  I guess the Paradigms, fine speakers, are just not for me.  That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to have them in my listening room for 2 weeks!

Unlike you I had the ability to try them with several different components and I bought my pair.