Anthem STR
Anthem STR stereo power amplifier designed and manufactured in Canada, capable of delivering up to 800 W into 2 ohms for demanding audiophile installations.
Description
The Anthem STR power amplifier is a two-channel stereo unit intended to form the heart of a high-end audio installation. Designed, developed and manufactured in Canada, it belongs to the brand's STR range and is intended to power speakers demanding in terms of output and control.
Its output power reaches 800 W into a 2 ohm load, reflecting its ability to drive speakers with low impedance, which are often harder to power correctly. The amplifier incorporates two low-impedance toroidal power transformers, one per channel, in a low-profile design intended to limit hum. This independent per-channel architecture aims to ensure a stable, low-noise supply on each channel, with no interaction between the two.
Inside, the input stage is based on a proprietary topology using eight low-noise bipolar input devices, arranged in a differential configuration with complementary active load. The transistors in the critical stages are hand-selected and matched, an approach intended to reduce distortion. On the output side, sixteen bipolar devices per channel are arranged in a class AB configuration, a layout that spreads the effort of reproducing the signal across a large number of components rather than a few, with the aim of improved linearity and extended bandwidth.
This model is aimed at users who already have a high-level stereo installation, with speakers demanding in terms of current, and who are looking for a dedicated power amplifier rather than an integrated unit. It naturally finds its place alongside the STR preamplifier from the same range, with which it shares a common aesthetic language, including a 7-inch graphical control screen and audiophile-grade connectors.
Technical specifications
| Power | 800 W (2 Ω) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 17.2 x 43.2 x 47 cm |
What to check before buying used
On this type of stereo unit, the cleanliness of the potentiometers and selectors is worth checking by ear, as crackling when adjusting the volume often indicates cleaning is needed. The power supply capacitors, stressed by the two toroidal transformers, lose performance over the years and are worth checking if the unit has seen little recent use. It is also worth ensuring that the output stages, known for their hand-matching, have not undergone any repair that would upset this balance between the two channels.
Looking for this reference: STR ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.