I heard the Totem Forests with McCormack electronics, and with ARC. Both sounded great. |
I have read (never heard) that the MC275 is a great match with these speakers. Perhaps worth investigating. |
I've had ARROs and FORRESTs
One common theme that you will see in many posts and that I also personally experienced: is that they are power hungry.In fact, the FORESTS only performed at their peak when I bi-amped them with hi-current and Hi watts amps
My audiophile buddy test drove the FORRESTS with his CARY pre-amp and tube power amp system ....they sounded flat until he juiced them to a 2 o'clock position on the volume dial... noy exactly a comfortable listening level long-term.
THE POINT: they are not the ideal tube mates in our experience
Take a look at what TOTEM uses to drive them at trade shows: PLINIUS, SIM AUDIO and a select few others. All hi-current hi-watts solid state gear.
SIM are ideal, in fact they are both in Montreal and voiced with each other's kit. |
Silly me, been using Forests for over ten years on 15 watts of tube power. This speaker doesn't dip below 6 ohms impedance which makes it very tube friendly. Totem has demoed the much less efficient Model One with a 35 watt tube amp and the sound was wonderful. What you need is a simpatico amp regardless of power output, or tube/transistor. Also, don't over damp your room and soak up all the life in the music. That WILL sound flat. Think diffusion as opposed to absorbtion. Now, you may be a solid state guy and thats OK, but don't be afraid of trying them with tubes because it can be done with great results. Nothing about this speaker that requires SS only. |
My brother has smaller Totems with Arcam amplification, and IMHO, it's a good match. By inference, Hegel would also be a good match, since, again IMHO, the Hegel house sound is similar to Arcam's. Both are very clean, smooth, with good PRAT and spot-on transients. |
How large a listening space you have and how loud you listen are definitely relevant. FWIW - I've owned Forests for years now. While not perfect - I very much enjoy how they sound. They aren't the most efficient speakers and do benefit from more power BUT don't rule out tubes. I originally ran them with a JoLida 502B, things sounded good. Got the factory mod for the JoLida and things sounded better. But always wished for a little more "loud" without having to crank the volume control to 2AM (sound was NOT fatiguing in this position, peak dBs maybe only low - md 80s)but I did worry about pushing the amp to get them to that level. Subsequently, got a pair of Cyber 800SE monoblocks. The nominal power rating isn't all that much more than the JoLida (78WPC VS ~60??) but something is definitely different. I've got all the volume I need in my small (13' x 15') listening space. Easy 85dB+ if I want it with 9-10 o'clock volume control setting. I know volume pot settings aren't apples to apples but the point is tubes can work very well. I've always been amazed at the imaging and soundstage from the Forests and with the better amplification, bass is really impressive. I'm not anti-solid state at all. Have heard very good things about Plinius + Forests. Have fun. Hope you find something great that works for you. |
I've run Forrests (and Model Ones) on 35 - 60 tube watts and the sound was glorious. I've also run them on a 120 watt Plinius integrated amp and the sound was very good as well. You have to decide what sound you prefer. I'll take them with tubes any day of the week. |
Every speaker design has its own character.
For Totem Forests, are they more to bass & dynamic respond or transparent & purity side? |
I'll be interested in what other owners have to say in reply. Not sure I think about them in the terms you have provided. I will say, compared to some Von Schweikert VR4 Jrs that I heard, the Forests are probably not as neutral or linear. The VR4s were very good...great extension low and hi end. The Forest's sound seems a little more "fleshed out" so probably more colored with a warmer mid-range...maybe more b & d vs t & p??? |
chreck out this prior post in AUDIOGON
Forums > Amps Preamps > 1324406696 |
I had them paired with a Aragon 8008 & they were amazing. They do need power. |
I use tube in the pre-amp and then class-d power for my Totems. Sounds wonderful.
Enjoy,
Mot |
I used a 200w/ch Krell amp with the Forest's and they suckked up every last ounce I could give them. When lesser power was used, they still sounded ok, but they will absolutely come alive and thrill you when fed alot of good clean power. For tube magic use a tube preamp or tube buffer i.e...Yaquin makes a killer for about $185! |
My Forests get along well with my Plinius integrated. |
I've been using my Forests in a secondary system with a Yaqin M13s integrated at only 40wpc. Mainly for late night/early morning listening and has been very enjoyable at lower levels, with such a holograhic sound. I never thought I'd get such a full range sound with no sub, but those Forests are amazing, imho.
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I second the suggestion of Sim Audio. Not only did Totem commonly use Sim components to demo their speakers, they actually collaborated on an integrated amp called the Totem Amber which was built by Sim Audio.
Full disclosure, I currently have a Sim Audio W3 listed for sale on US Audio Mart, so I am somewhat biased, but the Totem Amber was essentially a W3 strapped to one of their pre amps. Shoot me a direct message if you have interest in learning about the W3 or recommended pre-amp pairings. I think the W3 combined w/ a Tube pre might be an even better fit for you then the original Amber.
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I have had great results powering my Forest Signatures with a Plinius Hautonga (200wpc SS integrated), Audible Illusions S-120 (120/240 wpc hi-current, hi bias SS amp), and OG (made in France) YBA 2a HC (70/140 wpc, class alpha) and YBA Passion 600 (250/500 wpc, class alpha), all fitting within the 'give it plenty of juice and it will sing for you category' (and all with a tube preamp, except the integrated), however I may have an opportunity to try a McIntosh MC275 mk IV, which I am told is a match made in heaven (even though it doesn't fit the formula), due to the Mc's particular topology (in other words, not every tube amp will do it, but supposedly that one will).
We shall see...
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