A very satisfying system that doesn't often need the REL sub. The Mani-2s do go quite deep on their own. Best upgrade now is to install an APS-13 outdoor FM antenna on a rotor to feed the Model 1. The tuner is quite good from an RF standpoint and especially so from an audio point of view. The local University of TN station is uncompressed and a good clean signal with a clean pip. It's a great signal. Listening to a live broadcast of the organ in the Fox theater in Atlanta is something to behold.
If I do upgrade, the Mani-2s will move to the HT system and a pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors will take their place. Then the REL will have something to do.
i think you are way under power for the mani's, even in a small room. i use a pair of odyssey monoblocks which is enough power, but they could use even more. i have/had other totem speakers and they all can use a good powerfull amp to make them sing. also, i used a rel sub with my totem model 1's, great combination. when i moved up to the mani's, i sold the rel, no need for it, the mani's are a true full range speaker if you have enough power to drive them.
Some may say that the Aleph 5 is underpowered for the Totem Mani-2s. The Manis are 4-ohm loads, so the Aleph is putting out 90-WPC which is more than enough for this lisening room. A sub helps too. I could go higher in power with another amp, but the Pass class A sound cannot be given up.
