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A better matched amp for my Totem Speakers?

I currently have a Forte 1A (50 WPC ClassA) power amp and a McIntosh C26 PreAmp driving Totem model 1 speakers. The sound is good, but I think I can get more out of these speakers. My first thought is to upgrade the power amp. I'm thinking along the lines of a Mac, Aragon, Classe. The good people at Totem recommend Plinius, which is probably out of my price range.

I listen to Jazz, "New Age" and classical, primarily. Though I've been listening to music for years, I'm a bit of a neophyte when it comes to higher end electronics. As with many folks, my local options are limited, so it's hard to "just take it home and listen to it." Thanks for any suggestions.
cabdiver
16 responses Add your response
cabdiver OP
3 posts
 
Thanx again, everyone. I went with a Plinius 8200 and am very happy with it.
aball
2,016 posts
 
I would go with a used McIntosh 7100 for cheap or McIntosh MC150 but the latter will be tough to find - no one wants to let them go. If you want a change from Mc, try the classe 150 or CJ 2250. I have listened to the Bryston 4B a lot but find that it is missing a little magic that the others mentioned seem to convey very well. See what you think. Arthur
kek23
48 posts
 
Im using the Bryston 4bst and a AES AE-3 tube preamp and the combination is perfect. The Bryston has power, speed, and a killer lowend that makes this a beautiful piece of equipment. With a twenty year transferable warranty on top of that!
I bought mine new up in Canada for $1900 US dollars....but you can pick one up for $1200-1400 used and wont have to go through the long process of breaking this amp in. A tube preamp should be your first thoughts with this Bryston.

Kris
cabdiver OP
3 posts
 
More great ideas. Plinius: hmmm, very interesting. Any thoughts about Antique Sound (at the risk of getting into the tube vs SS thing.) Thanx again.
ultrakaz
187 posts
 
I would get the 150 watt Plinius integrated. With the exception of the BAT VK60, this amp sounded the best with the Totem Model Ones Sigs. If you sell your preamp you will have enough money to buy the Plinius.
flemke
596 posts
 
I bought a Anthem amp 2 special edition from upscale audio. The Forest speakers sound very nice with this setup.
The Anthem has a tubed input and new is selling for about 45% off. Anthem is going multi.channel only.
Tim
alliedtvandsound
74 posts
 
Bryston 3-B SST series you'll love. Classe, try at least the CA-201 for a bit more money.

peter jasz
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Totem are not the most efficient? Maybe you need more power, not just a new amp.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
i use vtl MB100 that I bought used for 1200 to drive totem forest speakers...
i was also auditioning them with pathos twin towers that have only 35W/ch and it was also great.
totem speakers despite their lack of efficiency can be driven with less power as well pretty successful. they have relatively stable impedance that is friendly for the tubes. they also have a bullet-proof drivers that can rock upto 120dB.
they might benefit for extra power but you should also weigh the quality as well.
totem people demoed model 1sig with plinius 8200mk2. this integrated amp is also worth paying attention since you kind-of "buy one and get one free"(it even has a phono!)
cabdiver OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the good suggestions! I'm trying to stay in the 1,000-1,300 price range for power amp (used, most likely) assuming I stay with the mac C-26 pre amp. Then again, this will likely prove a more intelligent "investment" than the stock market.
rbstehno
1,434 posts
 
i currently have a pair of Odyssey Stratos monoblock amps with a Classe 47.5 preamp and the Classe 1.5 cd player playing through the Totem Model 1 bi-wire speakers. I just added the REL Strata III subwoofer to the mix. Sounds fantastic. The Totems do need power to do them justice and the Odyssey amps are up to the task.
celtic66
1,656 posts
 
Plinius 8100 used is probably no more than what you are looking at right now. The Sonic Frontier Anthem 1 integrated will also do very nicely.
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
What is your price range?
tabu
42 posts
 
i agree with W enterprises because i use a bryston4b with
my totem tabu and maybe you sould try a conrad jonhson
preampli to go with it,conrad johnson and totem makes
magic together
twl
3,251 posts
 
What is your price range? New or used?
wenterprisesnw
66 posts
 
I would recommend going with a new or used Bryston (i.e. 4B-ST or Lexicon NT225) amp. There are pleanty available on AudiogoN to choose from. This is a great sounding amp. Very powerful. It will power almost any speaker system with ease. And, importantly, it offers a 20-year transferrable waranty. We don't carry this brand, but this is the best for your price/criteria that I can recommend. However, as a second choice, consider Adcom for amplifier performance value. Also, cable upgrades can make a siginificant improvement in sound in a high-quality system.
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