Totem Dreamcatchers integrated amp, under $1000.

08-09-13: Bob_reynolds
As always with integrated amps, I suggest you look for units that allow complete separation of the preamp and amp sections. Most NAD models provide this functionality.

Both the Marantz PM8004 and Peachtree Decco65 have preamp-out jacks. Peachtree even makes a 220 wpc power amp to work with their integrateds.

You also may not need pre-outs if the subwoofer has speaker level inputs. Some of mine do, some don't.

I second the Marantz PM-8004 with the caveat that I haven't heard it but own the PM-15S2b which is the next one up. My Tonians have no real bass to speak of since they cut off around 40Hz but with the Marantz, it's like I have an extra driver down there, some where. The bass I'm getting is unbelievable. The sound is clean, clear, quick and very resolving. I have no reason to believe the PM-8004 would be any different, just on a different scale, if at that.

As Johnnyb53 says, try to get a demo at Music Direct and it will be at discount and still have the 30-day return policy.

All the best,
Nonoise

Well, i've heard of the speakers at one of my favorite local speaker dealer. The owner used an intergrated amp Cary cad300se, source is a cheap amc cd player go through a msb d/a. The sound of the dreamcatcher overall is fine, good soundstage, balance, clarity on high and mid, but if u are a fan of bottom-end sound then this would never be your choice.. Consider a size of a woofer, it only a little bit bigger then a kid bowl, 4" woofer, and also a size of your room. Small to ultra-small is suited but not medium to moderate.

08-11-13: Bob_reynolds
Hi Johhny,

I don't consider preamp outs or speaker level connections sufficient for properly connecting a subwoofer to the majority of speakers and definitely not ones as bass deficient as the Dreamcatchers.

The Marantz PM8004 has both pre-outs and main-ins, so it should qualify by your criteria. The Peachtree just has pre-outs. A tape loop should be able to accomplish the same thing. I've seen such setups, allowing the tape monitor to put the sub into the loop.

Again, the abilities and limitations are partially defined by the subwoofer's I/Os. Some subs have high level speaker level inputs and outputs. Some of these run the signal through a high pass filter between the sub's speaker-level inputs and outputs. You connect the speaker cables from the amp to the sub's speaker-level inputs and connect the speaker-level outputs to the main speakers. This signal has been run through a high pass filter.

So if you want a high pass signal run to the Totems, how you can do it depends on the connectibility and crossover access of both the integrated amp and the subwoofer. It is true, however, that the trend in subs seems to be toward line-level I/Os; it seems like the speaker level inputs are getting phased out.

Also, the need to high pass to the DCs may be overrated. Even when small mains are run full-range, the addition of the sub changes the tonal balance, reducing the urge to turn things up. The increased bass energy also fills out the room better, taking the burden off the minimonitors to fill the room. Still, your point is well taken; the high pass filter would enable mini-monitors to play louder without bottoming out while the sub does the heavy lifting in the bottom octave or two.