Hi-fi recommendations?

[dEthANGeL]

Go to Adelphi and checkout those "pythons" (speaker cables). Some of these cables cost as much as a branded luxury Italian sofa set.

Then, go check out the turntables (record players). Some of these cost as much as a 1.6L Japanese car with COE.

After that, go check out the speakers. Some of these cost as much as a 2.4L Toyota Camry with COE!

Eh .. don't scare the guy leh :sweat: ... i also spent an obscene amount on cables already.

Using XLO Pro cables / Canare interconnects / Cable Talk speaker cables / Monster Interconnects / Van Dun Hul speaker cables....

 

[photobum]

Eh .. don't scare the guy leh :sweat: ... i also spent an obscene amount on cables already.

Using XLO Pro cables / Canare interconnects / Cable Talk speaker cables / Monster Interconnects / Van Dun Hul speaker cables....

I use:

• 3 pairs Straightwire Maestro interconnects cables with WBT connectors (Preamp > Power amp, DAC > Preamp, Tuner > Preamp)
• XLO digital cables with WBT connectors
• 2 pairs of Kimble Kable 8TC speaker cables (shotgun X2 running +ve) and,
• 2 pairs of Monster Cable M1 speaker cables (running -ve) terminated with Cardas Rhodium spades
• Tice Power Conditioners
• 5 XLO power cables with hospital grade plugs
• Acoustic Energy 1 speakers (replaced with Cardas wirings and WBT connectors) and Hsu Research subwoofer (It goes all the way down to 8hz, ROCKS!)
• Theta Gen 4 DAC
• Theta LD transport
• Pioneer SACD DVD transport
• Harman Kardon FM/AM Tuner
• China-made isolating transformers (220v to 220v)
• Krell pre/power amps

From my setup, you probably already know I love music with punch.

 

[dEthANGeL]

AHHHHHHH Krells... OMG :sweat: :bigeyes:

Scary sh!t ...

Yea i can tell you're damn serious but this setup will last you a life time.

For me, i prefer a 2.0 approach, (HT i'm using a SVS) ... don't like my sound to be coloured and neutral sounding, hence using a pair of studio monitors - Spirit Absolute Zero mounted on sand filled Atacama 24" stands on spikes.

AMC CD6b as transport ... still looking for the tube upgrade and my ultimate goal - Eletrocompaniet EMC-1 or EMC-2 ... digital recording source a Sony MD Deck ...

Tuner, a Denon TU1800DAB tuner ... (DAB rocks!) ...an Adcom preamp and a Samson poweramp (those rack mount PA usage) overall, the system handles all types of material, be it pop/rock/jazz/dance with great ease.

I'm still contemplating whether to purchase a voltage line conditioner... does it really make a difference? I'm contemplating to also change my electrical cabling....

 

[Firefox]

:bsmilie: ... but i do agree with artosoft.

Headphones wise - it depends on what type of sound you want:

Neutral / bassy / clarity ....

It all depends on the individual.

Neutral headphones - Grado SR-60 / SR-80 (Seriously, nothing comes close and this pair rocks!) priced around $130-160 .. can't remember

Bassy - my best companion over 3+ years - Sony MDR-V300. RRP of $80-90 / Bought mine around $70 after haggling. - Has survived my events/sound monitoring usage, walkman, hifi ...

Earphones - Shure E2C / E3C Definite :thumbsup: ... but kinda hate this type of in-ear designs ... especially those people with "wet ear canals" yuck ... :bsmilie:

You need to listen to more headphones..

Most neutral headphones: Joseph Grado HP1000 series HP1/ HP2/ HP3 followed closely by Grado Reference Series RS-1 or AKG K-1000's (technically not headphones)
Price: ~US$900 - US$1.7k (out of production, price varies on model, condition & packaging), S$1.2k (available locally), S$900+ - $1.2k (depends on whether you have the right contacts) repectively.

Bassy: Try Beyer Dynamics DT-770.. Actually more boomy and yet not that muddy.. Good for the general bassheads

Earphones: Sony MDR-E888LP/ MP/ SP (slightly more dark sounding), Senn. MX500 (bright), Etymotics Research ER-4P/ S (In-canal modules, good isolation; kiss goodbye to ah sohs screaming their life story over the HP on the bus/ mrt)

Best interconnects I've heard ever: Kimber Selects KS-1030's followed closely by KS-1020's and Aural Symphonics AS-one (XLR cables re-terminated with Eichmann bullet plugs)
Price: Used to be $1.34k/ 1m pair, distributor just raised price to $2k citing "increased costs", used to be ~S$900/ 1m pair, currently hovering close to S$1.4k and S$1k+ (AS-one replaced by other newer versions now) respectively

Contary to popular belief, head-fi at it's zenith isn't very affordable. A setup consisting of either a top-of-the-line commercial or custom designed & built diy headphone amplifier, a pair of the above listed reference headphones, a pair of the above listed interconnects, good powerstrip/ filter, decent snakes (power cords) & reference series CD player or well-modified CD player will easily cost anywhere from S$6k to S$10k depending on the configuration.

 

[photobum]

AHHHHHHH Krells... OMG :sweat: :bigeyes:

Scary sh!t ...

Aiyah..... I bought my Krells 2nd hand from a rich audiophile friend. Very reasonable price.

In fact, 3/4 of my setup are bought used. Some of the cables are given to me free!

 

[Stanly]

When you don't compare, the Onkyos and Denon are good......but when you compare with those real separates (those entry level ones cost at least S$1k +++), you'll know the difference.....:yes:

 

[phantasia]

Haha...i think i'm asking the wrong group of pple...SHOULDN'T have asked for audiophiles...:bsmilie:

I'm just looking for a sub $300 mini-hifi, that can play cd, mp3 and radio...sound decent, ez to operate.

Keke..and i'm getting responses to buy cables tat cost a price of a car!!! :hung:

Tks for the responses guys, but i think this is way overkill for me.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

Haha...i think i'm asking the wrong group of pple...SHOULDN'T have asked for audiophiles...:bsmilie:

I'm just looking for a sub $300 mini-hifi, that can play cd, mp3 and radio...sound decent, ez to operate.

Keke..and i'm getting responses to buy cables tat cost a price of a car!!! :hung:

Tks for the responses guys, but i think this is way overkill for me.

u should hav stated ur budget upfront so others can recommend accordingly arh...

w/ $300 i think i should go alittle unconventional setup - Klipsh 2.0 speakers at $200 & jus plug ur MP3 reciever or portable CD player.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

When you don't compare, the Onkyos and Denon are good......but when you compare with those real separates (those entry level ones cost at least S$1k +++), you'll know the difference.....:yes:

d Onkyos, JVC (Woodcone) & Denons r v competent micros under $800.

d diff between real seperates vs micro is d $$! :devil:

 

[dEthANGeL]

Haha...i think i'm asking the wrong group of pple...SHOULDN'T have asked for audiophiles...:bsmilie:

I'm just looking for a sub $300 mini-hifi, that can play cd, mp3 and radio...sound decent, ez to operate.

Keke..and i'm getting responses to buy cables tat cost a price of a car!!! :hung:

Tks for the responses guys, but i think this is way overkill for me.

Aiya .... Denon M-33. Enough said.

You're not asking the wrong group.

 

[raptor84]

Aiya .... Denon M-33. Enough said.

You're not asking the wrong group.

Wah the denon one no speakers already almost $800 :O

Any idea of the price of the JVC EX-A1? Looks quite nice leh..

 

[photobum]

Some of those Altec Lansing satellite speakers I saw at the PC Show 2006 are quite good (IMHO, better than those JVC "sake-infused" wood cone speakers). All you need is a MP3 player to complete your setup.

 

[raptor84]

I still love my old Altec Lansing ACS-48's I wanted to audition thier THX certified 2.1 system...any one saw/heard/own thier MX5021 system?

 

[photobum]

I still love my old Altec Lansing ACS-48's I wanted to audition thier THX certified 2.1 system...any one saw/heard/own thier MX5021 system?

I have one in front of me right now..... What do you want to know?

One thing I must say is that the MX5021 is not as powerful, or as clean as my AE1 and Hsu Research setup though, but hell of a steal for its price (for less than 1/5 of my Straightwire Maestro interconnect cables).

 

[raptor84]

I have one in front of me right now..... What do you want to know?

I listen to a wide range of music but mainly film scores ( Hans Zimmer is my fav composer) and instrumental types. I do not need heavy bass but I can forigve my altec's losse rumbly bass. I also listen to new age music which can be demanding on the trebles and they need to be clear.

I know its capable of being LOUD but how much before it cracks? How do you find it so far and how long was your burn-in? My ACS 48 was very sharp initally but after 5+ years its well aged with a mature sound:bsmilie:

 

[photobum]

I know its capable of being LOUD but how much before it cracks? How do you find it so far and how long was your burn-in? My ACS 48 was very sharp initally but after 5+ years its well aged with a mature sound:bsmilie:

I don't play my speakers loud, regardless of whether hi-end or low-end. So I don't know how LOUD it will go.

I bought mine about three months ago, and to be frank, I don't have the time to play it very often. However, just to answer part of your question, it DOES sound better now as compared to when I first got them.

All I can say is this is the best sounding computer speakers in the market now. I have tested almost all known brands before I decided to purchase it.

 

[raptor84]

I don't play my speakers loud, regardless of whether hi-end or low-end. So I don't know how LOUD it will go.

I bought mine about three months ago, and to be frank, I don't have the time to play it very often. However, just to answer part of your question, it DOES sound better now as compared to when I first got them.

All I can say is this is the best sounding computer speakers in the market now. I have tested almost all known brands before I decided to purchase it.

Next question...where did you buy it and how much was it. I sense BBB virus infection.....

 

[photobum]

Next question...where did you buy it and how much was it. I sense BBB virus infection.....

I bought it from Challenger at Funan for $229. The recent PC Show was selling it for $199. :angry:

 

[raptor84]

Hmm ok.. will buy it if i have cash left over hehe.. must save up cuase my DLSR is mroe important now... any chance to audition :bsmilie:

 

[photobum]

Hmm ok.. will buy it if i have cash left over hehe.. must save up cuase my DLSR is mroe important now... any chance to audition :bsmilie:

Go to Challenger at Funan. They even allow you to test with your own CDs.