There should be a website just for Mani 2 fans. Since my last post I got my pair of Mani 2 Sigs. with the Totem stands. Awesome speakers: In their price range, esp. used, I'm sure there are other excellent choices, but I can't imagine being unhappy with these. I'm using a C-J MF2500A 240wpc SS power amp; a great combo IMO....... |
congrat's Steve - did you have a chance to compare the Sig's to the standard Mani's? I've had my Mani's for over a year now. Every upgrade and tweak I do to my rig just shows how great these are. I bought mine used, and they are an earlier vintage, so I'm now thinking about upgrading to the Sig's.
Is anyone else out there familiar with the improvements the Sig's bring? |
Bdgregory, thanks. I've never heard the standard Mani's. I bought the Sigs because from reading about Totems it always seems like the newer versions are an improvement. I think there are archived threads about the standard Mani's vs the Sigs on one of the "other" audio sites.....
If you see a nice set of Sigs at a good price, to me, It would be tempting. Mine are in Maple, & with the Totem stands, they also look great, IMO. Altho, I did pay a lot for almost-new ones, I haven't regretted it. |
After reading this, and other threads here and elsewhere, I just picked up a pair of used Mani-2 Sigs off the A'gon classifieds. Should arrive next week.
I'll be driving them with a Rotel 1068 pre-pro and a B&K 200.7 amplifier. As I only have a 5.1 system, I'll be able to bi-amp by assigning 2 channels to each Mani, each channel having 385W into 4ohm. I shouldn't have any power problems.
I do have several questions.
Need stands. I've located Plateau V and Target MR24/60 at just under three hundred. Atlantis Reference 24 is a hundred more and the XL is another hundred. But I'm not crazy about the boxy appearance of the 4-pillar designs. Are there more esthetic versions available, or would I be sacrificing significant performance if I went to something like a Sanus MU-24?
I'd like grilles for protection, when I'm not into critical listening. How do you attach the optional grilles? I think I read somewhere that it'd done with velcro. Wouldn't the adhesive on the velcro pad damage the finish?
Gonna need a center. The Model 1 Signature Center seems to make most sense at first glance, but am wondering if there are any other suggestions.
Thanks! |
I use the Plateau 4 pillar stands for my Mani’s. They’re actually carryovers from my Model 1’s so I can’t comment on the virtues of any other stands with the Mani’s. The Plateau stands did however make a big difference with the Model 1’s as compared to some other lighter weight single post stands. The Plateau’s are also close to the stands that Totem sold/recommends (or sells if you can still get them) for use with their speakers. Generally speaking I think a heavy 4 pillar stand filled with sand or shot will be much better sonically than the single post metal (or wood) stands that depending on your taste may be aesthetically more appealing. Regarding the Velcro for the speaker grills, I used grills for a while on my Model 1’s and then took them off. No problem at all removing the glue residue from the speaker cabinet and a little teak oil and they look as good as new. I think you’ll find that the speakers sound better with the grills off but you’ll have to be the judge of that.
Congrat’s on the Mani’s. They are really great speakers. |
Thanks Jaffeassc. I scored a pair of Osiri stands on A'gon last night. They may not be as heavy as some of the massive four pillar stands, but I'm hoping, based on what I've been reading, that they'll do fine. They certainly are better looking. |
Raduray, I have the Totem (4-pillar) stands with my Mani-2's. Personally, I think they look great, & match perfectly with the look of the speakers. I also have a pair of Osiris stands--they are excellent stands too, but the Mani's are larger than the top plates of the Osiris stands, so I didn't feel the speakers were as secure on them.
But the Osiris stands are sought after; & I keep mine to use with whatever smaller bookshelf speakers I own. Just my 2 cents, |
Hey...Another late response...sorry. Mani Signature's have a better top end than the straight Mani. When I bought them right from Totem, Vince felt that he had taken the design about as far as it could go, at least in this box. Indeed, they are the best stand-mount speaker I have ever heard. Remember...the stability of your amp is as important as power; my 100 watt PS Audio doubles to 200 with great stability into the Mani...plenty of power for a medium-sized room. The preamp is even more crucial. I upgraded from an AES-Signature to a DeHavilland UltraVerve. Sound is a bit better, yes....but it is the 6sn7 tubes that really do it. The best home sound I have heard. I cannot say enough about what 6sn7's can do for these speakers. Mind-blowing. The Mani's exploit everything that is amazing about Octal tubes....the big tone, eye-opening detail, bass...holy shoot. A complete experience. Go solid-state amp, tube preamp and you will be amazed. I promise. Buy good NOS tubes and do some tube rolling...the Mani's will reward what great tube sound is all about. Do I sound excited? Cool. |
Hey Glukeman:
Thanks for the comments. It’s good to be excited about something you’re passionate about. Your post was actually very timely in that I was in the market for a new preamp to replace my Audio Research SP16. I considered DeHavilland but never had an opportunity to listen to one. I ended up buying the Conrad Johnson CT 6. It’s still in transit but I’m looking forward to hearing it in my set-up. I have to tell you though that in my medium size room (about 15’x22’) my Mani’s driven by Music Reference RM10 tube amps sound glorious!! |
Hey...I am amazed that any tube amp can do them justice, because of the enormous power needed to drive the deadly combination of 3-4 ohm/83db efficiency issue. I'm going to look into Music Reference....I don't know the company. Thanks for the info. Gerard |
Mani-2 on Totem four pillar stands, here.
SimAudio Moon W-6 monoblocks (425 watts @ 8 ohms) wired with double run Kimber 8TC.
They really sound wonderful. I've always lusted over Aerial 10Ts, though, so I sit listen and wonder. Bass is fast and deep- just doesn't load my room. Waiting on a good pair of Rosewood 10Ts to land in my lap one day.
. |
Hey...I am amazed that any tube amp can do them justice, because of the enormous power needed to drive the deadly combination of 3-4 ohm/83db efficiency issue. I thought this too until I plugged my Manis into my Tad 60 tube amp. In addition, I had it switched to Triode mode (27 w/c). While it won't blow the doors down with Rock music, it sounds amazing and wonderful with any music that has a lot of mids-highs. As far as loading your room - try a subwoofer with your Manis. I use a Rel Storm III with mine. Crossover is set at 30hz and it integrates beautifully. You don't know the sub is in the room, but the room is fully "loaded". . |
I see here is the owners Plinius 9200.U me such a question. Is there a possibility of 120 volt version of the remake, or switch, inside a 220 volt without replacing the power supply? |
I just answered your email as well but what are you attempting to do? In your email you mention 200v. You can switch from 120v to 220v or back again by changing the wiring "harness" between the inlet and power supply. No soldering involved. Very simple. Just not sure if the 220v setting is safe to run on 200v. Best to check with Plinius or maybe someone else on A'gon can advise. |
I have heard the Totem mani-2 sig with a aprox 100watt integrated amp and they sounded fine to me. Not sure why you would need so many watts to drive them.
Most brands don't even make 500watt amps that are half way affordable. |
