Totem Hawks/Forests - Upstream Components

You might want to try Arcam components. I believe the Totems are voiced with Arcam. If not, the synergy created between these to products makes this combination sound incredible.

I have used different pairs of Totem speakers with seperates, integrated amps, tubes and solid state. My recommendation would be to get an amp in the flavor you like (tube or ss) with a lot of reserve power. some amps to consider would be: mcintosh mc352, ma6900 integrated, classe ca201 or ca301. good luck.

I asked the same question to Totem directly, or more specifically, if my Sim I-5 would be a good fit for the Totem Hawks & Forests. Here is the email reply:

"Both the HAWK and FOREST would be comfortable with your room size and musical preference. In terms of your amplifier, the I-5 would be better suited to the HAWK. From our personal experience we have found the I-5 to be slightly "cool" in nature. The Hawk which tends to be slightly "warm" should provide a nice balance. Although the FOREST is more demanding to drive the I-5 can still handle the load to a moderate/high level. Although it will play to satisfying levels, maximum dynamics would not be reached. We recommend you audition both units as each model is different overall, and personal taste would be the determining factor."

All,

Thanks a lot for all the feedback you provided. I appreciate your input.

Eldorado....You are right. I should have provided mroe details that will allow folks over here to guide me better.

My Budget is $3500 for both Pre-Amp and Amp together (or) for the Integrated Amp it is $3000. I like listening to Vocals, Instruments, Pop, Classical and light rock. I am not an audiophile and i am new to audiphile terms. I am thinking most of my listening interests and particularly Vocals come under mid-range. I also heard that Tubes make the mid-range really bloom and sound sweet. That is why I was asking for Tube recommendations too.

Also, I have a few questions that I am looking for some guidance with.

1. Can I buy a Tube Stereo Inegrated Amp like Jolida 302B (or) Primaluna Prologue 2 and use it to drive Totem Hawks / Forests for my current 2 channel needs and then add a power amp like Musical Fidelity A5 CR 6 months down the lane and use the Jolida / Primalune as a Pre-Amp. In simple terms, in the future, can I take the output from Jolida Integrated and pass it through MF A5 power amp and the output from MF Amp to Speakers ? If this is not possible, then I need to buy a pure Pre-Amp and Power Amp together to start with.

2. The so called Tube sound and mid range bloom...is that contributed by the Pre-Amp Tubes or tubes in the power amp section ?

3. In the case of Jolida, folks recommend 302b over 502b if one's preference is sweet sounding mid-range. I read folks saying EL34 tubes contribute to that. In that case EL34 tubes are part of pre-amp section (or) power amp section of Jolida ?

4. I like sweet sounding mid-range and some good tight bass too. So I thought I can have a sweet sounding mid-range bloom tube based Pre-Amp and a good SS power amp like MF A5 to give the bass slam. That is why I was thinking of pairing up Tube Pre-Amp with a SS Power Amp thinking it gives best of both worlds. I am not sure whether this is a correct theory or not. May be you can educate me.

Can you please let me know ?

Thanks
Grakesh