Integrated amp for Totem Sttaff

Sttafs are really nice with Tubes. I had a pair and for a while drove them on a 20w/c vintage Fisher X202. That was fun. They'd be nicer with more like 30-40 w Tube amps.

The again, they're really nice with SS amps too . . .

Mxwizard,

What type of music do you listen to? What size of room are you trying to fill? How loud do you like to take things?

I've owned the Sttaf for 5 years. In this time, I've matched the little speakers with at least three dozen or so integrated and pre/amp combos - ranging anywhere from a few hundred bucks, to twenty thousand dollars. Give us a little bit of a lead and we can suggest a better fit.

My music tastes have changed a little,maybe not so much changed but expanded..Jazz has been the choice of late but rock, and metal can still draw my attention.As far as volume..im on the high side of 40 and we live in a condo so i dont need to take things to 150db...Our living room and dining room are open and in line so the space is 16'X 25' with 9 ft ceiling and hardwood flooring which does make the room a little "lively"....hanging sound deadening is not an option....Its a decor thing. I have also concidered the Rainmakers to the sttafs and am still looking at both...I just refuse to spend thousands and thousands on this hobby----ive been down this road before.....Thanks again...

yes - tubes would be nice too. PrimaLuna ProLogue 2 or equivalent - could score for $1500 Canadian new if you are willing to take a risk on mail order from Upscale Audio. Still think you should give the Naim an Sim a shot. Staff would not be my first choice for metal with any amp...

MxWizard,

Thanks for providing us with a bit of insight on how you intend on using the Sttaf. First things first; the room you describe is not the most ideal space for the Sttaf. What this particular speaker needs to sound its best is a small room that is completely closed off. Unless you plan on sitting 6ft or so away from the loudspeakers and will have the space to experiment with precise placement - I would recommend you go with the Rainmakers instead.

The Rainmakers are less critical on room and associated electronics, and are, subsequently, can be a more viable option. If you wish to support your dealer, I'd ask him to show you the Sim Audio MOON CD-1 cd-player, and the accompanying MOON I-1 integrated. Or, if you have a bit more cash to burn, the NAIM CD5v2 CD player and the matching Nait5i v2 integrated.

As said many times above; Totem loudspeakers can sounds real good on tube gear. I've run through the gamut of goods on Totem.. ranging from Prima Luna, Jolida, Antique Sound Labs, etc.. so far, the best match I've found is the Vista Audio I-84. This little $730 15wpc integrated has a lot of kick, and makes for a superb match with Totem's - the Sttaf in particular.

Moving up the money chain a bit; The Unison Research Unico and the Blue Circle Audio NSCS (no longer in production) hybrid integrated amplifiers also make for a superb match.

Good luck !