2. speakers
  3. 1393906876

Tube amps demonstrated with totem element series

Hi I am currently getting ready to buy my first house, and planning to use my totem forests for my first home theatre. Which have been using them for my 2 channel system. I am looking to for a new totem speaker for my 2 channel system.

I'm planing to move up the totem line since having such success with the forests. The totem winds are out of the question since they are to difficult to drive for tube amps.

I am wondering what tube amps have been demonstrated with the totem element series? At audio shows and local dealers? I know that vince at totem has had a demo some type of tube amp with the Earths. But do not know the brand.

I have a cary cad120s and slp-98 which is a perfect match for the Forests in triode mode. Which is 60 watts and sounds just as loud as the Ultra-liner mode which is 120watts just more cleaner. It can fill a 600square foot room no problem. I am aiming towards the Totem Metal, or the Earth speakers which is more in my line of budget.

Let me know your suggestions, thanks.
128x128jakecanada
hifiharv
351 posts
 
Well, there you go then. You'll have no trouble driving the Earth's with just a cap on the tweeter. Like the good old KLH and Dynaco 2-ways of the past. I've been inside the Forest and the crossovers are much more complex. Taking your amp into the dealer is still a good idea if you are dead set on sticking with it. Beware though that dealer demo's quite often suffer compared to your home set-up no matter how much money they throw at a system. It would be a shame to miss out on some great synergy just because you weren't wowed in the store.
gmaxx
1 posts
 
I demoed the Totem Earths with Mcintosh gear and then a Rogue Cronus Magnum integrated amp and the Rogue had no problem driving the speakers. I was skeptical at first but the dealer hooked the Earths up to the Rogue and it was all good. I keep forgetting that tube power is different from SS and you don't need as much.
wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
I still don't get the "fill the larger room" issue with systems...I have a large-ish house and my modest tube amp and not so large speaker system can make the whole place shake if cranked...do people live in Zeppelin hangers? Sit 50 yards from the speakers? It keeps coming up...I get that larger, "full range" speakers actually need more room to make large sound waves, but that's for them, not you. Sit within 9 feet of any decent system with your obligatory "I NEED realistic orchestral dynamics" rig and it should easily be able to blow the crumbs out of your pathetic "Im a biker/beatnik/old hipster" soul patch, if needed ("Bob, put that Bud down and listen to that oboe imaging!"). Most adults don't dance so much at home (although they should whenever possible) these days, and if you need to fill large spaces loudly you really need a decent PA system (I have one, don't ask). To sum up: Support your local stupid music store and buy PA systems...they're great for announcing things.
More to discover