Integrated Amp with Totem Forests and Arcam 23

Sugden Masterclass drives my 805s very well.
After comparing many integrated, that's the one for me.
I think it's a big mistake to not try the Sugden stuff.
Accuphase E530 is my second choice.
The Krell seemed hard and I would have to cover that brite red display with duct tape!
The Mcintosh didn't give me the details I like.

I would check out the CODA Continuum Unison 3.1. It seems to be very versatile (adjustable gain allows for either a solid-state sound, or a smoother, more tubey sound) and it goes up to 35wpc into Class A. They don't come up used often, but they go for around $1300 used when they are available. I have been really happy with mine-huge upgrade over my 3.5K C-J seperates.

i used a musical fidelity tri vista integrated amp with my totem forests, and i had great results. the forests are capable of creating some pretty deep base, but need a lot of power to do so. i have had some experience with the krell integrated amp, and that could be a nice match, too. if you use any amp that produces less that 150wpc, you will most likely not be getting the most out of what is a pretty great speaker.

John

MF A5,was "beaten" in Hi Fi News Awards 2004 by Graaf GM 50(50w Push Pull Tube int)"Best amp over GP 1000."GraaF got the award, MF a Editors choice....

Krell,sorry ,not my cup of tea .....

Plinius,plus point,does have a "tube like sound" but still no tubes...

Pathos Logos,you know my opinion on that,the Logos and my Merlin VSM-MMs are Magic ! I am completely biased ,I am afraid.....

If indeed the Totems need at least 150w to "bring out the best " then you have to consider the BAT VK 300 int( 3 variations-ss,6922 and Supertube) or the DK-VS 1 MK ll ,also a Hybrid.Blue Circle Hybrid pre/power perhaps ?

Get some tubes on the pre amp stage....that is wat I would do.

Chris

I use the Forests fully biwired to an A85. Had it internally biwired with Analysis plus Oval 8 Solo Crystals, but noticed that the manuals for the Arcam Power amps treat the Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 as 'bi-amp' output sources. So I tried it with some River Cable Starflex on the top, and the AS on the bottom with fantastic results.
If I had the bean, I'd go for the FMJ Integrated/Power combo...or bunch of P1s with the Pre....
But, for the money...the A85 does a nice job.

I'm sure the Forests sound great with a lot of power, but they also sound great with less. I was sold on them connected to an Arcam A80/ CD82 setup...so don't let the power 'recommendation' lead you astray. Listen and decide.