Integrated amp for Totem Sttaff


Hello all. I am new to the site but have been ravenously reading reviews and posts the last few weeks. I am in the proccess of replacing my 20 year old Boston A 400's with the Sttafs....Now my dilemma.I am currently running a Denon 2106 and have found a helpful dealer selling...Naim, Creek, Sim, Cambridge, Arcam. I am seriously considering jumping in the deep end of the audio pool and get a new power source as well to match....My problem..The dealer is a 3 hr drive away so auditioning the Totems and the matching amps is possible, im hoping your experince may help me have a better starting point if im to drive that far....I know other brands are out there, but I dont have access to viewing them, let alone buying them. Im hoping $ 1,500 cdn will put me in a good spot to get the most from the Totems...Thanks in advance.
mxwizard

Showing 1 response by spietze

I am not sure if you have purchased your integrated for the sttaf's yet or not. However I thought I would add my two cents for what its worth. I have a pair of totem arrow's that I was looking to drive. Believe it or not they are actually somewhat more difficult to attain their potential than their larger brother the sttaf. I was using an arcam AVR300 in Bi amp. mode. The sound was pleasing, but somehow lacking. Although I could listen to disc after disc without ear fatigue I knew something was not their or veiled withing the sonic signature of the amplifier. I ended up pairing the arro's with a creek 5350se. At first it seemed a bit forward, but upon many A-B listening tests between the arcam, and a Sim Audio HT3 I found the sweet spot for my totems was the creek. It isn't perfect, but nice, easy on the ears and it will allow me to get on with listening to music and not think about the gear for a while. For the money Its a pretty impressive piece sonically. It may not have the flash of some brands but it delivers solid performance.

Anyways good luck in your search, let your ears lead you and enjoy the purchase you make.