Where was the Parasound NC200INT integrated amplifier ($1400.00) when I was getting started in the hobby. This wonderful amp is brimming with assets. One hundred and ten watts of Pascal Class D power, Burr Brown based digital connectivity with 24-bit/192kHz resolution, and a rather good MM/MC phono stage, come standard. If that’s not enough, there are tone controls, analogue bass management, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and a back-lit remote. The lack of internal streamer may deter some, but the addition of the cost-effective WiiM Mini quickly solves that problem. To quote the Parasound hype sticker, the “NC200INT offers precision engineering and powerful performance—all wrapped in a sleek, 1U chassis at an unbeatable price point. Ideal for listeners who want a complete system upgrade without compromises, it delivers clarity, warmth, and connectivity without overextending your budget.”  Ignore at your peril.

Sometimes it’s about how you look at things, and in this case, it took a YouTube review by Andrew Robinson to truly see the Naim Audio CI-Uniti-102 streamer amplifier ($1949.00). With the custom install logo and HDMI eARC it was easy to overlook this amplifier as a legitimate audio solution. A big mistake.

This amplifier rocks. The 150 watts per channel in 8 ohms delivers a devil-may-care performance with just about any loudspeaker. In fact, the 102 is 2 ohm stable, delivering a whopping 480 watts into this load. This impressive spec is possible due to the Texas Instruments TPA3255 chips being deployed in a parallel bridged mode with a 1.2 kilowatt switch mode power supply. As good as the Parasound is, Naim’s effortless sound just about edged it in absolute sonic terms. It doesn’t have the complete connectivity and features of the Marantz, but the HDMI and optical inputs will likely be enough for most. The Naim control app allows you to dive deep into the 102's capabilities. There are speaker profiles for all the Focals and the Manager software is the ultimate sonic tweak. Robinson pointed to a lack of a traditional remote being a dealer breaker for some. Naim have corrected the oversight and, come late September, a handheld will be available to assist with basic functions, letting you put your phone down and concentrate on the music.

All three amps have their merits. The price and feature set of the Marantz is hard to argue with. The Parasound will attract the burgeoning audiophile with its seductive sound and wallet friendly price tag. The Naim, at least for me, is the one. It is its fantastic combination of power, flexibility, and customizability that sets it apart and, just maybe, Naim Audio’s Uniti excellence is in reach after all.