Интегральные усилители — Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier

The STR Integrated Amplifier is the one-box member of the STR series from Anthem, designed, engineered and built in Canada. It arrived in 2018 at USD 4,499 alongside two separates - the STR Preamplifier at USD 3,999 and the STR Power Amplifier at USD 5,999 - and combines a class AB power stage, a DAC, a phono stage and bass management in one chassis. Black and silver finishes are offered, and the warranty runs five years on parts and labour.

Key specs that matter

Continuous output is 200 W per channel into 8 ohm, 400 W into 4 ohm and 550 W into 2 ohm. Analogue inputs are four RCA pairs, one XLR pair and separate MM and MC phono inputs. On the digital side there are two coaxial ports, two optical ports, one AES/EBU socket and an asynchronous USB Type-B port that accepts PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz, while the S/PDIF ports stop at 24-bit/192 kHz. Outputs include fixed RCA, preamp outputs, two subwoofer outputs and five-way binding posts. The case measures 432 mm wide, 172 mm high and 445 mm deep and weighs 18 kg. Power draw is quoted at 40 W idle, 250 W in typical use and 500 W at high output.

Engineering and use context

Each channel uses eight bipolar output devices fed from a toroidal transformer designed in-house, and a circuit called Advanced Load Monitoring tracks temperature, current and voltage to protect the output section. Anthem describes short signal paths and differential circuitry in the preamp stage. An asynchronous sample-rate converter processes incoming digital signals, and an Analog Direct mode takes analogue inputs past conversion and processing entirely. The phono section has its own shielded paths, user settings for cartridge type, non-RIAA curves and a rumble filter adjustable from 10 to 60 Hz in 1 Hz steps. Listening modes cover stereo, mono and either channel sent to both speakers. Up to 30 virtual inputs can be named and assigned. The front panel carries a large volume knob, five small buttons and a dimmable colour TFT screen, and system integration is handled by RS-232, Ethernet, a 12 V trigger and an IR input.

Pairing

The rating into very low impedance means low-impedance and low-sensitivity loudspeakers are within reach. Two subwoofers can run in mono or stereo with a crossover set from 25 to 125 Hz in 5 Hz steps, plus phase, polarity and distance for each. A firmware update from March 2018 added a home-theatre bypass so the STR can drive the front pair of a cinema system run by an AV processor.

Alternatives

The discontinued Anthem Integrated 225, rated at 225 W per channel into 8 ohm, was the brand's lower-priced integrated amplifier with a built-in phono stage.