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Totem or B&W?

I am new to this audio craze and am still trying to learn as much as possible before I make my first big purchase. I am a classical musician and mostly listen to classical music although I enjoy listening to pop, rap, alternative, jazz etc. I am close to purchasing a Rotel RC-1070 preamp and the RB-1080 amp. I have visited many audio stores and have narrowed down the speakers I like to B&W and Totem. I originally was comparing the B&W 602 series to the Totem Mites but recently made the mistake of listening to the Totem Mani2s. Anyone know which speakers will work best with the Rotel setup? I would prefer to stay under $1,000 for speakers but if I do decide to go with the Totem Model-1 or Mani-2 (used) will I have to step up to a better pre-amp and amp?
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
mattmusic
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,176 posts
 
My friend own totem model one. He runs them with
parasound amp.Iam not sure if its 100 or 200,
it sounds very musical.Also I would recommend
aerius used if you listen to classical music.
they are not that expensive.Good Luck.
pisitc
1 posts
 
I second Alon Petite speaker and I strongly recommend Jolida 302 to drive it. I am a serious amateur pianist and I was searching for a system a few years ago in the same price range as yours. I auditioned B&W 602 and a Rotel integrated. The B&W will give you a lot of detail but the highs will be quite harsh. an Alon is more neutral and is very open.

For more real instrument timbre (i.e. piano, violin sound) which I assume is important to musician like us, you should go with tube amps. A Jolida is not expensive but is very good. (I recently compared it with Jadis Orchestra (my Jolida is upgraded for $150) and find that I didn't really miss anything.
elb's avatar
elb
100 posts
 
Call Totem and ask how your electronics will mate with their speakers. There is a good chance that you will talk to Vince , the designer.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,162 posts
 
This is for Aram.

How can you be so sure VMPS will beat both Totem and B&W? Have you even heard any of their speakers, or are you just speculating? My guess is the latter.

Oz
bmd
3 posts
 
I recently audiotioned the Totem Model-1 signature speakers, and instantly regretted having paid over twice their price for a pair of Revel F-30s...

Admittedly, this is like comparing apples to oranges. The Model 1 is still just a monitor, and cannot fill a large room the way the F-30 does. Despite this, I'd still go for the Model-1, it just seems to make more beautiful music.
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