In response to the above post, my answers are:
1) The Jolida 302b pairs well with the Hawk, less so with the Forest. (I have heard the Forests sound best with Totem's own integrated amp.) No, the 302b cannot be used as a preamp. But you can sell it for a comparable price to the one that you buy it for (used).
2) Both
3) EL34's are in the power amp section
4) Tube preamp and SS amps are a common combination. But that doesn't mean that it will necessarily result in the best sound, especially if the pre and power amps don't mate well. For a long time I enjoyed a SS preamp with tube amps; in some ways I actually prefer it that way (especially for the Hawks). The other option is to biamp the speakers so that you use the SS amp for the bass and tube amp up top.
I hope that helps.
Michael
1) The Jolida 302b pairs well with the Hawk, less so with the Forest. (I have heard the Forests sound best with Totem's own integrated amp.) No, the 302b cannot be used as a preamp. But you can sell it for a comparable price to the one that you buy it for (used).
2) Both
3) EL34's are in the power amp section
4) Tube preamp and SS amps are a common combination. But that doesn't mean that it will necessarily result in the best sound, especially if the pre and power amps don't mate well. For a long time I enjoyed a SS preamp with tube amps; in some ways I actually prefer it that way (especially for the Hawks). The other option is to biamp the speakers so that you use the SS amp for the bass and tube amp up top.
I hope that helps.
Michael