ehem.. Where can I see and touch Quad speakers in KL?

NCA Audio in Ampang

No real budget, but looking at the Wharfedale Diamond 8.2.
It'll be EMU0404-> God knows what amp ->Wharfedale Diamond 8.2
Listen to lots of jazz, country, rock and roll.

Ideas people? Will be looking to change cables too. I saw Monster cable, and eyes nearly fell off it's sockets.

U may try Desa Home Theatre in LYP.

No real budget?

Better fix a budget estimate as decisions to buy are usually based on that 1st

Why not go for Diamond 9.1 and NAD C320BEE/Cambridge 540A V2 for a starting rig?

Diamond 8.2 are cheaper and offer quite good performance for the price but it's phasing out slowly. For a start, try the QEDs(brighter) or the Supra(more neutral), they practically 'can' those Monster cable big time for the price.

go listen to 9.1 nicer than 8.2 i feel. looks a lot better also. 8.2 look like toy. hehehe

Yep, agree with u on Monster Cable.

finally I get a good answer

ERm...I don't really know for sure, maybe RM2000 for the amp. The speakers, since you're suggesting the Diamond 9.1, hw much are they?
Anything above 3K for the speakers and my dad'll chase me outta the house.
The cables too, I'm really sorry for being a lazy arse, but I can't get up to KL just like that, I live in Mlk onli.

hey guys,

i wonder any one can help on giving reviews or recommendation on some floorstanders, i notice lots of shelves are discussed.

How are other brands like JM labs and Focus audio. no one likes them ?

OK, not bad indeed RM2k for amp, if you can stretch it a bit more, you can try the NAD C352 (retail RM2980 but can bargain quite a bit to 2k+ but don't expect too much reduction as popular mag reviews and the respect it has garnered have helped push up the price). Other good stereo amps(for hifi only, not AV) to consider include:
Cambridge Azur 640A V2/Cambridge Azur 540A V2
Marantz PM7001 (new version replacing the PM7200 with good reviews)
Marantz PM7200 (still a feat but slowly phasing out, get them b4 they r gone...)
NAD C320BEE (BEE classic) /Rotel RA02(RA03 is better but more $$$).

Some listed above are a fair bit over your budget (give and take RM500).

Regarding speakers(I assume u want only standmounts, or bookshelfs as they used to call it), the diamond 9.1 only sell for ~RM800 generally and some get them for less. But if your budget is 3k for speakers alone, you should do better and spring for something like: Quad 12L/Vienna Acoustics Hadyn/ Epos M12.2/ Epos M5/ Dynaudio 52/ Dali Ikon 2/ Monitor Audio RS1/ B&W DM602 S3/ PSB B25/ Focal JMLabs 707s(but this model might not be brought in yetdue to it being ~same $$ as JMLab's floorstander).

For more cost-conscious but still bang-for-buck speakers, try: Epos ELS3/ Quad 11L/ Monitor Audio B2/Mordaunt Short 902i(pls ask for the 'i' version, not the plain 902)/AE Evo 1/ Dynaudio 42/ Wharfedale Diamond 9.1/ Infinity Primus 150(Asia's version only comes in Beech colour)/ Usher S520(try Singapore maybe?)/ Ascend CBM-170 SE(this u must import from US but reviews are all glowing and share a cult of its own).

Well, one of those should do it for you as they are general all-purpose speakers for common music genres.

Later, if you have more $$$ to burn , there's another list which consist of ATC/ ProAc/ Harbeth/ Spendor/ higher end B&W + Dynaudio/ Ls3/5a etc..

Happy hunting, the best part usually lies in searching for the desired setup, not actually owning them, as once owned, you will search again for more $$$ stuff to buy. Learn to control this addiction/poison, whichever way you prefer to call it

This post has been edited by Omegaminx: Apr 3 2006, 07:09 PM

Here's a rough guide of the pricing:

NAD C352 - abt RM2k+
Cambridge Azur 640A V2 - abt RM1.9K+
Cambridge Azur 540A V2 - abt RM1.4K+
NAD C320BEE - abt RM1.3K

On spkrs, I wld go for Quad 11L. I have always like its sound. It is fantastic. Good vocal and presentation. Finishing is top class too. Just buy a good stand and u r off. Most of all it wld be below RM3K too. But, u must match it with a better amp as this aint entry lvl spkr.

My 2nd choice wld be Epos. Oh, not forgetting my fav, ProAc too. But, this will be touching ur bgt. I must say Omega does a good helping hand on the recommendation.

Diamond 9.1 - abt RM800+
Primus 150 -abt RM600+
MS 902i - above RM1K+.
PSB B-25 - abt RM1.65K+

If u have enough space, why not go for floorstander?

Just a rough idea of the pricing for the ngt spkr:
PSB Alpha-T - abt RM1.5K+
Primus 250 - abt RM1K+

If I have enough $$$$, I wld go for ATC or ProAc. Amp wld be Auido Note (valve) or Naim. CDP (naim).

ProAc ... my fav too. Keep the recommendation on the speakers going. I'm really interested. Need a replacement for my dying TDL.

Yup, the Quads are good although it might not suit everyone, however its finish is easily furniture grade regardless and really score high WAF. Personally, I like the 12L better than the 11L but if you have a sub at hand, go for the 11L. Otherwise the 12L should paint a more complete picture of the music you play in general.

I actually liked the 11L quite a bit too not to mention its glorious reviews then, well that was until I heard them next to the ATCs(both SCM7 and SCM12 are very ugly & plain like an LS3/5a rotated 90 degrees on its vertical axis) for vocal/jazz, the ATCs just have a flavour of their own that obviously surpasses the 11Ls (you don't even have to think which sounds better or analyse the sound, it just naturally sounds more favourable) but of course the ATCs are fugly ducklings in terms of looks.

The Epos (whether M5 or M12.2) are a bit more detailed and sparklish at the top end
cf to Quads but the 11L/12Ls are smoother and most times more natural sounding (some like this character more I suppose). Too much detail doesn't necessarily = musical enjoyment. HT kaki did a nice job too of summing up the price, I would have thought he was a dealer if I hadn't known him better...Lol

Another favourite of all time is the B&W DM602 S3, tonnes of material for the ~2k, look at the size of those standmounts, almost half a floorstander if you ask me
Sounds very spacious given enough space to breathe, great for bigger living areas, but a no-no in small rooms- can sound congested and boom a little in an enclosed environ.

ProAc is beyond ur budget unless u aim for used. The new Studio 110 cost UK GBP700+ but is another award winner. The smaller ones(functioning as mini monitors) like the Reference 8 signature ~RM6k+. They are as $$$ as ATCs, just that ProAc doesn't make active speakers too like ATCs(their active speakers are the real deal, beats even the Wilson WATT/Grand Slamm for some audiophiles). I like ProAc sound too, enough highs-enough lows-very musically engaging. Funny that I read somewhere that ProAcs are coined as poor-man's ATCs as they did try to clone some ATC models in the past (like Proac studio 3 etc) with ATCs own drivers (like a custom job). I certainly find their sound quite different from each other and ProAcs are definately not cheap these days and very much recognised worldwide for their musicality, certainly no more ATC clones by a far cry (although they still use some ATC drivers, mainly in higher range models like the Response Four flagship, and of course modified Scanspeak tweeters + in-house custom casts)

This post has been edited by Omegaminx: Apr 5 2006, 12:47 AM

OOOMALI~GANJA!!
time to read more first, won't be buying first....aiyoyoyoyO~!
Someday, I've gotta meet you guys and make appointment to pigi beli all these stuff.

One thing's almost for sure, I'll get the NAD C352 amp then. Since all you guys think it's a really good amp, I'll be getting that.
The speakers, I'll need to stretch my budget aye....I'll wait for my cheque from google and see hw much I can get.


Thankie, I'll come again when I get them.

*paiseh*

I have auditioned ATC partnered with Krell. Sounds very good and captivating but not the price

Yup! especially the Krell KAV-400i integrated which is actually ~ entry level for Krell, wait till you listen to their pre-power combo...

But $$$

Hi Everyone... I am proud to announce that I have just upgraded my system to the next level: Below are my recent upgrades:.

FROM / TO
1. NAD C320BEE Stereo Integrated AMP / audio agile Joker's AMP
2. NAD C521BEE CD Transport / audio agile step CD
3. AE AegisEVO One Bookshelf Speakers / Sonus faber Concertino Domus Speakers

Additional Accessories:

1. Cardas TwinLink Power Cord for audio agile step CD
2. audio agile Power Cord for audio agile Joker's AMP

The total cost for upgrading after discounting Trade-in is RM11,300. The price is including incidental cost for modifying Cardas CrossLink Speaker Cables.

The new setup is currently undergoing "Running In" and will review once completion.

Cheers.....

This post has been edited by outdoorxplorer: Apr 11 2006, 05:43 PM

Nice budget

You seem to have a thing for German(Audio agile) and Italian(Sonus Faber) hifi

Unfortunately the audio agile I am not familiar with as it's not regularly reviewed in British or US mags but the Sonus are quite highly regarded world over especially its flagship Stradivari and the Cremona. The Concertino Domus is also a pretty good bookshelf but on audition with the Cremona Auditor, I prefer the latter but both (and generally SF speakers) are a tad too polite for my liking in belting out music & this trait has been quite commonly cited by audiophile reviews. However, that may be the Italian taste when it comes to music. The leatherette baffle certainly adds a touch of class to SF speakers.

It is definately a step up from the budget NAD and Evo 1 combo, how does the audioagile frontend synergize with the SF Domus so far? I assume you bought them from Perfect Hifi? The Cardas mains is a good one I must say

Care to share why you chose audio agile? You could have done better with other mainstream brands with that budget, but of course unless you find great matching between the components you listed

Cheers

This post has been edited by Omegaminx: Apr 10 2006, 09:03 PM

If I am not mistaken u can always upgrade ur existing audio agile by replacing some hardwares in it. Hence, u save costs.

You are right and that is only applicable to Joker's Range upgrading to Step Range. The upgrading cost is pretty reasonable and quite drastic in improvements.