Request opinions on Totem speaker / McIntosh amplifier compatibility.


Greetings, I have a set of Totem Model One Signature speakers that I have loved for over twenty years. I have run them with a NAD C375BEE and an Anthem Integrated 2 each of them about 150 watts per side. I have been seeking a (used) Plinius, Naim or McIntosh, particularly a McIntosh MA5300. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated, I owned a McIntosh MC2200 years ago and it is the one piece of equipment that I regret selling and the MA5300 at 160 wpc @ 4 ohms is high on my list. Thank you............Joseph

joseph54

I am a big fan of Totem speakers and have some in my office.

If you think the McIntosh is a great match is really personal taste. Mcintosh lacks detail to me... it is just too bass and midrange heavy. I would thing with totem speakers... already natural sounding and fairly punchy this would result in a really problematic high frequency response. But it is a matter of taste.

I power mine with tubes... but then all my systems are tube powered, Audio Research and Primaluna, I can certainly recommend these for a musical and detailed sound. 

Thank you for your response. Your reference to the diminished highs on the Totem speakers with the McIntosh are spot on. Joseph