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Paradigm Persona 3F setup recommendations for cinema + music

I am looking for recommendations on electronics for use with a Paradigm Persona 3F setup that is used for 60% cinema, 40% music.

I have some ideas on hardware so far but nothing is certain at this point.

The cinema/video streaming chain might look something like:
-> BluRay player with streaming options - HDMI out
-> Anthem MRX 1120
-> At this point, the AVR can power the 3F speakers, or send pre-out to a 2ch amp (such as Moon 340i etc).

Since I currently have a NAD T955 power amp (5x100w), another option is to use this amp to power the surrounds in a scenario like this:
-> BluRay player with streaming options -HDMI out
-> Anthem AVM 60 (pre-pro)
-> NAD T955 amp for surrounds.
-> New 2ch integrated amp for 3Fs.

There are a couple of options for the music chain:
1) With AVR only
-> BluRay player with streaming options (Spotify/Tidal/lossless audio via DLNA server) HDMI out
-> Anthem MRX 1120

2) With AVR + 2ch amp
-> BluRay player with streaming options (Spotify/Tidal/lossless audio via DLNA server) Digital coax out
-> DAC or 2ch integrated amp with DAC (such as Simaudio 340i)

So the questions I have are:
1) I could get the Anthem MRX 1120, end of story. But will this be good enough for movies + music on the 3Fs?
2) Will much be gained by powering the 3Fs by their own integrated?
3) What would sound better in cinema: the MRX 1120 by itself, or AVM 60 to NAD T955 amp?
4) Which is the better 2ch amp for the 3Fs: Anthem STR, Moon 340i, 600i, Naim 350DR, or other?
5) In general, what do you guys think about Naim vs Simaudio for powering the Personas?
6) For now, I'm assuming the digital source is a basic BR player. Are there significant gains by going with a dedicated streamer like options from Naim? I'm assuming this difference will be minor compared to the other electronics in the chain (until we get to a DAC component).

Overwhelming number of options here. Thanks for any advice you can provide.
irave
Post removed 
irave OP
20 posts
 
@noble100

I didnt mention the remaining speakers because they are currently B&W, which is a mismatch for the Persona 3Fs. I will definitely need to replace the center with an appropriate Persona match. The SVS sub will remain. The setup is is currently 5.1, but want to keep option of atmos open for later. TV is a 4K LG OLED.

The problem with using only a high-end bluray player with built-in DAC is that it is quite limiting on the source material. In addition to discs, I stream a lot of audio/video with DLNA/Plex, spotify (or tidal), use netflix, youtube, etc. There doesnt seem to be a player option that supports all of this. i.e. Panasonic is great for video playback, limited app support. Sony requires user to select Dolby Vision manually (crazy). Pioneer lacks in app support as well AFAIK.

So it looks like a mix of source components will be required, which puts a receiver back on the table.

@maxwave

Volume control with BR player, at least on some I've seen, is done on screen. Seemed a little cumbersome in that instance.
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
maxwave:"@noble100
Using a Blueray 7.1 rca out and power amp. is a good idea.
But what about volume controle ?"

  Hello maxwave,

     Volume control is adjusted by the Bluray player remote.  
     This setup works very well.  I connect my hd Xfinity cable via HDMI from the cable box to my Oppo 105's HDMI input, which gets the video and audio to the Bluray player. Then the video is connected to my hdtv via HDMI.  
     For audio, I run xlr cables from the OPPO's L+R stereo outputs to a pair of class D mono-block amps that drive my main Magnepan 2.7QR speakers.  All the surround channel outputs for up to 7.1 on the Oppo are also connected directly to the amps for my 5.4 setup via standard rca cables(the center channel to a class D stereo amp bridged to mono for my Magnepan CC3 center, the two rear surrounds to a stereo class D amp and the sub output to a 1K watt class AB amp/controller that powers a 4-sub Audio Kinesis Swarm distributed bass array system and controls volume, crossover frequency and phase on all four subs).
     There is some audio setup required on the Oppo's setup menus, all done from the remote and displayed on the hdtv, such as setting the crossover frequency for the sub output, setting the Size of each speaker channel('small' for sub assistance and 'large' for no sub assistance), Distance(set in feet from the primary listening seat) and Volume or Trim Level( relative volume of each surround channel set sequentially by ear or using a sound level meter at the listening seat.  



     
     
  
     
 
     
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audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,851 posts
 
 
OP you are correct that the Anthem MRX 1120 is not a good enough amplifier stage for the Persona 3F.

We have used the Anthem MRX 1120 to power Atmos louspeakers and a seperate power amplifier to power the main, center, and rear surrounds.

One of the most musical multi channel amplifiers is the Audio Control Pantages a 200 watt by 7 Class H a varient of Glass G, that uses two voltage rails to emulate Class A operation without the heat generation. 

The other option is receiver to powr all speakers except mains where you use a hign end two channel integrated for music. 

Please feel free to contact us we have a lot of experience in this arena. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ  Paradigm, Anthem, Audio Control, dealers
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