Totem Forest or Mani-2 signature?

Wow Rumadian, I'm very impressed with your experience on the Totem speaker line ups. My experience with the Staff is actually very similar to yours. I actually like the Staff a lot in I haven't heard the Forest.

Thank you very much for your advice. I think with my limited budget and the room I currently have my mind is set for the Forest for sure. Your help is much appreciated.

Zieman, thanks for the pricing info.
What are the Dynaudio driver models? I read that some of the drivers Totem made are by Hi-xx audio (forgot the name) in China? and some of them are the same as Dynaudio? Thanks.

Mimberman, I see that you have a Mhdt Havana. That's also what I use currently. I once had an opportunity to have the Havana DAC hooked up to a Forest with an Integrated Accuphase. I really enjoyed it.

I wonder what Tube do you use? United Electron 5670 Military type (made in England) is what I like best for the Havana when used with the Bel Canto class D amp. The LM Ericsson 2C51 goldpin is also very nice, super quiet but not as warm as the United.

As for the Hawk, I have auditioned it side by side with a Staff and found them to be similar except that Staff is much cheaper.

I am particularly interested in the Ref1000/MKII setup with the Forest or Mani-2. Like Maverick_spd said, the Mani-2 requires more power. Would the REF1000 up to the task? Also I just read the MKII is a $2000/pair upgrade for current REF1000 owners. I wonder how would that sound with the Mani-2 or the Forest. Thanks again.

Zieman, I thought the MSRP for Mani-2 is $3995/pair?
Perhaps you mean with the R-2 stands $720/pair plus Tax and shipping? Thanks.

I just want to keep the options open so let me ask you experts out there who is familiar with the Icepower class d amps. Will the class d work well with the 4ohm speakers like the Mani-2 vs. the 8 ohm speakers like the Forest?

As far as I know the lower the impedance the higher the current the amp will need to output? I am unsure if the class-d likes lower impedance or higher... I have read it somewhere regarding the same topic but can't remember.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

By the way, I've heard nothing but good things about the Mani-2 until I read this post:

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/GetPost.aspx?PostID=2520

I am open to different opinions and critics, so I could know more about Totems...

I have read about the HiVi driver before. In Fact I even saw a screen shot of a member pulled out the Totem driver with Hi Vi logo on it. (I forgot the model though...)

The HiVi Swan D2 looks like Totem clone!
http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=371

Rumadian, I still thank you for your post two years ago. In your opinion do you think an old Accuphase 80 watts into 4 ohms amp will be able to drive the Mani-2? Thanks in advanced.

Rumadian, yes it's been a long time but this thread is just too valuable to be left behind :-)

Sorry that I should've been more specific. I plan to drive the Mani-2 with a pure Class A Accuphase power amplifier 50 watts @ 8ohms and 80 watts @ 4ohms (I think Mani-2's are 4 ohms) and just to give other members an idea.

This Amplifier currently drives my Forest and for some reason I feel it is more powerful than the Bel Canto Ref1000 mono blocks. My floor shakes at regular listening level at 9 o'clock but at the same time I do not feel it's loud or noisy.

I'm not sure how to describe my listening room but it's basically a Living room/Great room in a typical house that I would think it's medium size.

I mainly listen to Classical and Jazz musics and so I'd think I don't play the music in an extremely loud volume.

Thanks again for your help Rumadian. You have a bag of knowledge in the Totem line and yes I am looking for an upgrade up the totem pole two years after enjoying the Forest.