Very few of us get to buy amp and speakers together , this is a time to look for system synergy .
I would have few qualms about a Nova or an Atom if it is box count you are worried about , if I wa starting over I would be quite happy with a Nova, Graham Slee phonostage , a decent turntable and I would probably go for a pair of stand mounts like the PMC or smaller floor standers like Spendors or Totems .
I too have a smallish room and have reduced box count , at the same time I have more fully integrated my TV viewing into the system by means of a UnitiQute which I use as a Dac.
About the speakers - i will choose between ATC (11 or 19) and PMC (21 or 22).
I’ve had Spendor A6 - and i want to change the preaentation.
I will not change anything in phono - i have accoustic signature with morch+AEC London And great phono stage from polish RCM(i haven’t Heard anything better)
Amplification - sn2 or 200/202 or 272/200
Was also thinking about exposure 3010 - but i don’t know anything about it.
The 200/ 202 needs to be at least three boxes as there is the NAPSC as well.
The PMC and ATC swim in the same pro / consumer market ,if it was me I would go for the XS 3 and PMC , possibly adding a HiCap later. The PMC look on paper easier to drive , so you could get away with a smaller amp.
I would also look at Amphion speakers as they also work in the pro/consumer market - as does Harbeth
Until last year I had a 202/200 DR driving a set of PMC twenty.22, but I moved in the last twelve months to a Nova / Dynaudio Special 40. The PMC’s were great although the bass has always been a bit thin in my 4,5 x 5,5 room. I am fully satisfied with both Nova and Dyn’s which really has shown to be an improvement over the previous setup.
I have a small listening room. I use SN2 with ProAc DB3s and find the sound suits me admirably. It will depend on your personal preference but I like a punchy drum sound with well placed voices/instruments and this setup really sends tingles down my spine on my favourite music.
I have 7 non-Naim boxes in a room that size with Wilson Benesch Arc speakers.
The key is to keep the speakers a good 50cm from wall and have 6 thick acoustic panels to absorb the bass reflections.
Every time I add a panel I get more bass as I guess the reflections cancel the bass out.
I am moving house and to smaller room, will keep my NDX2 and Supernait 3 but will change to TAD ME1 or Marten Parker Duo speakers. The tad are less sensitive to position.
I agree I have pmc 20.23 in small garage conversion (long and narrow space) into music room, they work really well. I am currently trying ATC scm40, which also work well no “bass boom” both speakers have to go pretty close to rear/side wall. I should add the space is irregular shaped with vaulted ceiling, and well insulated with rock wall overlaid with sound reducing plasterboard (the blue coloured stuff) over the existing cavity wall and ceiling.
Next week I will look for second han or exDemo SN2 or 200/202 or Exposure 3010 separates with DAC.
After that i will demo PMC 21, 22 and ATC 11 and 19.
Then only streamer is to go for.