Hi Arch, I've only spent a few hours with a Cronus and didn't notice any prominance in the 4K region. I was listening through ProAc speakers and a Simaudio player.
I was quite impressed with the Cronus and so I wouldn't give up on the amp without trying other solutions first. The clear tops, in my opinion, have an undeserved and over-hyped reputation. I think they sound thin and rather boring.
I haven't heard the Totem Model 1 speakers, but I owned the Arro for a few months and there was a very distinct prominance in the 4K region that made vocals virtually unlistenable on recordings with even a hint of sibilants.
I found them to be bordering on flawed and if this is the Totem "house sound" then I would suggest your primary contributor is the Totems.
I hope you don't give up on the Cronus before trying some warmer speakers because it is a very special integrated amplifier.
I was quite impressed with the Cronus and so I wouldn't give up on the amp without trying other solutions first. The clear tops, in my opinion, have an undeserved and over-hyped reputation. I think they sound thin and rather boring.
I haven't heard the Totem Model 1 speakers, but I owned the Arro for a few months and there was a very distinct prominance in the 4K region that made vocals virtually unlistenable on recordings with even a hint of sibilants.
I found them to be bordering on flawed and if this is the Totem "house sound" then I would suggest your primary contributor is the Totems.
I hope you don't give up on the Cronus before trying some warmer speakers because it is a very special integrated amplifier.