Does anybody have Totem Arro's and CJ tubes?

At the show were the Arros paired with a tube amp? If they were, you should enjoy them with your amp.

I have Arros paired with a similar amp and it works fantastically. Not only do I get all the volume I need (somewhere in 90 db's peak in a room similar to yours), but the sound is rich and smooth. My amp is a Sonic Frontiers with 50 wpc from PP 6550s. Based on this, your amp should make a beautiful match with the Arro.

Fwiw, I am perplexed as to why the dealer would tell you such a thing. Is he trying to sell you something else? Does he not like tubes? Maybe it's best to ask him why he's negative about the idea--that is, if it matters to you!

I say, give it a try; I think you'll like it.

You hit it right.
He was trying to get me to go for a pair of Hawks. But they are really out of my budget and I like the fact that the Arro's can be placed very close to the rear wall.
Thanks for your valuable response!

My experience with the Arro's is that they tend to work best with warm-sounding tube amps. CJ would fit that bill nicely. And the best amp I've heard them with was the Jolida 302b (around 45W) tube amp.

A lot of expensive solid-state amps don't sound optimal with these speakers.

In my opinion, your amp should work fine with the Arro's.

The Hawk is, in many ways, a better speaker. It has better "fullness" and bass response, but at the expense of being less flexible in placement and not as good with imaging as the Arro's. And, as you mention, twice the price.

Good luck,

Michael