Q. Which of the SIMAUDIO integrateds with Totem you may ask?
A. your budget drives that. Say, a used i5?
I've owned both the ARROS and FORESTS simultaneously in prior systems so I know their strengths and warts well, and the STAFFS are between them in their product line with a strong lean towards the ARROS in comparison.
i would not go hog-wild and buy a premium priced integrate amp with the price/performance output limitations of where the STAFF resides... It won't save you and certainly won't drive you to the next level in performance.
A) In simpler words, tailor your choice of amp unit to the lower to mid price units at best as a preferred price/performance match to the STAFFs.
As a general rule, more "grunt" in the Amos is best with Totems ... WPC by themselves are meaningless and Totems crave hi-current amps. Rarely will you find them partnered at the audio expos with anything other than hi-current hi-WPC SS gear . That in itself is a noteworthy point to consider ... Ergo the SIM, Plinius, AYRE brand leanings thst they frequently use.
I have test-driven my Totems with top-of-the line CARY tube amps and found the listed SS integrated amps all bested it , and the differences were not subtle.
Yes, SIMAUDIO also has its own DAC ( a fine piece). Google the specs and reviews...better still go audition it with an all Totem/SIM setup.
