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Thread: Alternatives to Totem Arros?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 339
    I'm Tony.

    Default Alternatives to Totem Arros?

    Needs some suggestions please.

    I'm running a pair of Arros via a tube amp and in my room I'm finding the Arros a little too bright.

    Strange as the speakers in my friends room sound perfect but I can't seem to get along with them in my room and keep wishing for something with more warmth and depth.

    I would however, hate to lose the musicality and soundstaging these offer as clearly that is where their strength's lie.

    Any suggestions, perhaps something easier to drive with my Valve amp?
    VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Intenso View Post
    Needs some suggestions please.

    I'm running a pair of Arros via a tube amp and in my room I'm finding the Arros a little too bright.

    Strange as the speakers in my friends room sound perfect but I can't seem to get along with them in my room and keep wishing for something with more warmth and depth.

    I would however, hate to lose the musicality and soundstaging these offer as clearly that is where their strength's lie.

    Any suggestions, perhaps something easier to drive with my Valve amp?
    The Arro is a nice sounding speaker. Have you tried alternative speaker cables? I tend to find silver plated copper cored cables can be a bit unforgiving, whereas pure pure copper seems easier on the ear. This is a generalisation though, as there are exceptions to the rule.

    Could be worth experimenting with speaker positioning too. Closer to a wall will likely fill out the lower register a bit and may restore the balance.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

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    I agree - look at interconnects and speaker cable before ditching the totems.

    Also what's the difference if any between your rooms...
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 339
    I'm Tony.

    Default

    I'm using Van Damme Hifi cables which are copper and come recommended.

    My room however is a bit more bare than my friends and has some hard surfaces and two vertical radiators that no doubt resonate a bit. My room is also larger.

    The Totems are right up against the wall, only new additions are a new DAC and some new caps in the amp. I guess this could have some impact on the perceived brightness in my room but overall my feeling is that I need something with more bottom end to drive my larger room?
    VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR

  5. #5
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Have you tried pulling them out a bit and away from side walls?

    I hate hard surfaces - my walls and floor are covered with tapestries, oil canvas paintings etc. It sounds to me like side wall reflections.
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 339
    I'm Tony.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by farflungstar View Post
    Have you tried pulling them out a bit and away from side walls?

    I hate hard surfaces - my walls and floor are covered with tapestries, oil canvas paintings etc. It sounds to me like side wall reflections.
    They sound worse away from the wall and need to be close to the back wall to colour the sound more. I plan to put some paintings on the wall shortly so hopefully that will make a difference.

    I still wonder if I will get a fuller sound from a larger cabinet?
    VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR

  7. #7
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Ok - sidewalls? Have you got them toed in enough? Don't put glass paintings on the wall. What's the shape of your room?
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 339
    I'm Tony.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by farflungstar View Post
    Ok - sidewalls? Have you got them toed in enough? Don't put glass paintings on the wall. What's the shape of your room?
    Adrian thanks for trying, I've spent the last few weeks playing with speaker positioning.

    Nothing much seems to make a difference and I have tried.

    I'm afraid its a case of these speakers don't work well in my room, too small.

    So any suggestions for alternatives?
    VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR

  9. #9
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    That depends on budget....
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 339
    I'm Tony.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by farflungstar View Post
    That depends on budget....
    That made me smile

    I guess up to £1K but would be looking to buy 2nd hand to get more bang for the buck...
    VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR

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