Thanks for the explanation and comments Vinyl 9,
That link you posted, I'm sure it's a fantastic tube amp, but... it's USA only :( Canadians are cut out of the loop. I live on an island lol... getting to Washington state doesn't take too long, 2hr ferry ride, but it's a big state.

I would really love to audition some tube gear, On ebay canada I sometimes see imported integrated Chinese tube amps (the brand that comes to mind right now is Yaqin) for 600-700 dollars, of course I'm hesitant since I was told almost specifically to avoid these. But again... the problem is I can't hear them before I buy.

Jolida gears are almost impossible to find in Canada. It's a real hassle, the local used market is pretty much empty of hi-fi amps, and the local hi-fi dealer only carries those big brands, so most of what they carry is out of my price range.

I might just try to get an in-home audition of an Antique Sound Lab AQ1003DT, it's the only one I might be able to afford. Vinyl9 do you know much about that amp?

thanks again for all the comments

Scott

scott3709938 November 17, 2008 22:42

Hi Scott,

All I mean by live music is sounding more like that cello sitting in you room would sound with someone playing it, instead of a couple boxes tying to make sound like a cello.

Wow that's the first time I've ever heard rep NOT recommend tube amp for just about any speaker within reason of course!

It's also weird he didn't mention any tube hybrid amps, some can be very power full and sweet sounding and cheap about $695 on up in price. Tube amps can also put out very realistic and deep bass, I think he needs to do a little more listening!
Check these out.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1232130089

This NOT my listing and I don't know this guy but this an awesome chance to own some great amps! These would do a number on anything classe makes, including their most recent products[a friend of mine has owned both] I know these aren't cheap but the seller is in Washington State[not too far?]maybe.

These would be a great match with your Totems.

Most people who don't consider tubes, just haven't heard them enough.

Have fun whatever you try,

Vinyl9

vinyl9 November 17, 2008 20:56

Hi Darren,
Thanks for your comments, I've recently contacted Simaudio, and they've informed me they are releasing a new integrated amp. The I-3.3, it's a high current design capable of 100w into 8ohms and 200w into 4ohms. The best thing is the fact it has a built-in USB/2 Coaxial/Optical DAC. Final price has not been set but may be less than the I-3 se.

I'm definitely planning to audition that one, I would love the classe integrated amp, but i can't afford the CAP-2100, it's in the same price range as the Simaudio I-7. Thanks though, I will definitely keep an eye for classe gear on the local used market.

I'm glad to know the Plinius works well with the forests. I'm keeping my eye on a lot of stuff on the local used market, but as of this moment there are only 6 int/power amps on there lol... there actually is a Classe DR 15 poweramp for sale on the local used market for 1400CDN dollars. That seems a tad high for a 20 year old amp. For that price I can almost buy a brand new Quad 909 power-amp.

I used to have a Rega Apollo CD player then sold it since I honestly never used it. It's just so convenient to have everything stored on the PC then using digital coaxial output on my soundcard to transfer a 24/96khz signal to my Rotel receiver. With my arros, I couldn't tell the difference between the Rega and the music from my PC.

I'd love to see a pic of your system Darren, I'm sure it sounds fantastic, do you have a woofer? Oh and as for placement... I don't really have much option, I have a reasonably sized room, but it's got my queen size bed, a couple of large desks and a bookshelf. And... the cello, a couple of violins, and that 12" Energy woofer. So my room is packed.

scott3709938 November 17, 2008 00:18

Hey Scott, I am also a college student and right now my set up is Totem model ones and a Classe Cap-151. I am just starting out and I am in the process of buying a meridian g08 CD player. So far (i have been using my macbook as a source with apple lossless files) i have been BLOWN away at the synergy between Classe and totem. My Dad has Forests with a plinius 9100 that sounds amazing, but at the same time, its alot different sound. I lot of people that buy totems do not get an amp that works well with the speakers. I would HIGHLY recommend getting an amp with enough current to push your hawks. You can get the simaudio i-5 for around 1500 USD although simaudio is a bit to agressive for totems, but no doubt that it will work fine. If you want my honest opinion, i think you should go to a Classe dealer and listen to some of the amps. Their sound is alot like Mcintosh in the sense that the treble sounds like silk to your years which is one of the reasons their good with totem. I have no experience with Naim, although I did talk to totem and they said that Naim sounds very good with totems. All I have to say is use your ear to decide, remember that SO much depends on the amp, especailly with Hawks. Move your speakers around the room to see how they react, one slight movement could surpise. Its great to see another college guy that is a fan of totems. If you have any recommendations for a digital source hit me up. Until then good luck on the amp search!

-Darren

macd November 16, 2008 23:32

Hi Vinyl9,
I'm not sure exactly what do you mean by "live music" could you please explain?

I have not considered tubes because both the Totem dealer and the Totem rep recommended Solid State, in fact, the Totem rep went as far as to telling me flat out not to go budget tube amps with the Hawks. As far as I could understand from his explanation, is tubes lack the ability to produce good bass. There are no budget tube amps in my only local hi-fi dealer (the place i purchased the Hawks have gone bankrupt). I think the local dealer carry audio note, and mcintosh tube amps. Neither of those is anything I can afford. They do carry Antique Sound Lab, but the integrated are all above $2000 even before taxes.

Being from a small town is really limiting my audition possibilities. And there are so few audiogon sellers who ship to Canada. As for buying tubes from audiogon, I have never owned tube equipment before, I'm not sure if i want to just jump in without hearing it first.

thanks for the comments hornblower and vinyl.

Oh and hornblower, this is my only room, so everything is cramped in here.

scott3709938 November 15, 2008 19:04

If you listen to any sort of live music I think the no the only way to go is tubes.

Antique Soundlabs, ARC, Jolida, Primaluna, Rogue, Sonic Frontiers, VTL. Any of these brands can be a great buy here on the Gon . The best thing is the they can all easily out preform all of the above brands mentioned at half the price or less.

Plus you can change the sound to your taste by tube rolling and cryoing in a way that's not possible with a sand amp.

Sure their great solid state amps but I think bang for the buck and musical believability with your ears not spec sheets may make you switch.

I've been using a higher power 211/VT4C based amps and never looked back.

Check out a dealer that caries Totems with a medium power tube integrated or monoblocks and I think you may agree!

Good luck,

Vinyl9

vinyl9 November 15, 2008 16:43

Hey, another cello in the room with the rig! My wife plays baroque and modern cello (see my system.) Best, David

hornblower November 14, 2008 02:23