a quickie for u is optical cable transmit data, not sound wave.
u cannot use optical without decoder at speaker side.

rca is left--right, does not mean the amplifier unit cannot produce surround. dsp inside is a sound field processor which split out the stereo sound from rca to surround channel.

front height surround is ok, be sure u reverse the phase to avoid cancellation

This post has been edited by ktek: May 29 2015, 09:43 AM

Reverse the phase of both of the front height surround? I have to flip the red and black wire is it?

yes. flip them

i used aego M many years ago...then upgraded to focal xs 2.1 as the aego m cant satisfy me already....
now im thinking to upgrade it to focal bird 2.1 or little bird 2.1 ...any suggestion and where can i get them?
is it worth to upgrade from focal xs 2.1?

if satelites won't satisfy you.....i think you should move up the chain and consider bookshelves with stereo amp

If you like Focal house-sound, maybe you can try upgrade to their active monitoring speakers, like the entry level Alpha series?
I've listened to their Bird/Little Bird series and to me, they do look nice but the sound quality is nothing to shout about.

Hello everybody...just came home last nite.
Ya, visited the shop in Mongkok. Hell, in fact the whole building was full of imported high end stuff. No pictures cos they won't allow me to take them. Auditioned the MBL but not 9008A or the 9011 cos not in stock but the 7008A integrated amp coupled to the strangest looking loudspeakers (116F) & AR CD6. Very transparent but too clinical for me. Zero life. Well, played my CD there and it sounded different. Not the sound I was looking for but the bass rattled the glass display cabinets when he turned the volume up.
Cost of the 9011 is HKD140,000. Transaction in HK only. You do your own shipping. 2 months to order.
Walauwei....

I think the sound from some German high-end, be it MBL, Burmester, is an acquired taste.
I'm also not fond of what you said as very transparent but too clinical sounding.

Their aesthetic can also be a bit over-the-top, but I do like the design of T+A stuff.

This post has been edited by widget: Jun 8 2015, 01:23 PM

strangely they pair with AR CD6 as that might not be a good match....
nevertheless.....the MBL sound signature is very strong and needs proper matching

good experience though to listen to those Germans.....
its not easy to audition in MY....

@GI Jie , you may have acquired taste for Passlabs...hehehehehehe

i might be flying TH and HK in July....might pop by Mongkok and KS & Sons @ Bangkok
but scared the poison kicks in....

am at the look out for mini power amp and bookshelves for my study room...
gonna go budget this time......max budget including speakers, power amp and cables RM5k

You mana boleh tahan ler...The ARC poison will take control and before you know it, it will be sitting in your study

Ya, I think so too...acquired taste indeed but so far not to my tastebuds (yet/perhaps). Ah well, it was actually fun seeing the sales lugging that monster up and down the room. Actually took more than 20 minutes to set it up and another 10 minutes to warm the bugger up.

Actually and seriously no as I am genuinely considering the Momentum monoblocks by Dan D'Agostino paired to SF Aida. The Passlabs are just too massive.

Oohhh Aida.. Beautiful Masterpiece...i support if aida

Topet...Aida's come with premium request for top notch amps...hehehehe

GI Jie ...i won't want another system with ARC.... needs to be something different
needs to be budget with high end sound output

unless ARC VTi60 comes at a good price...which i doubt so

even sonerin Musical Paradise oredi 8k++ and then plus speakers and cables will be sub 10k+++
too expensive for study room

This post has been edited by hushymushy: Jun 8 2015, 07:53 PM

Great amps with great speakers...never heard how aida's sound. Just her little sister venere at amcorp mall. Sound was great until i saw the price...i'll stay with paradigm for a time being.. Whoever buy Aida i beg you olease let me listen to it 1 song only. Illinois Jacquet

Topet am sure at KLIAV ... Perfect HiFi will probably bring the Aida's again

Venere actually i don't quite like it... i'd choose Grand Piano or Luito over Venere anytime

honestly....i'd skip the lower ends and go straight for Cremona / Olympica

I couldn't afford even the lower ends of SF, i can only drool...really want to go KLAV but stay in Sabah. Maybe somewhere in time. Last friday felt pure LFE when quake happened. Scared also...

Topet if you really want to go into SF....you can consider previous Home or Domus series

Concertino and Concerto Domus are quite good....and of coz the Grand Piano

Grand Piano used good condition should fetch roughly 6k to 7k now

Bro, get a used Marantz lah...not bad at all, in fact actually quite good. Hook it up to a reasonable pair of speakers and you will be pleasantly surprised. That is why my daughter is inheriting my Marantz setup hooked to a pair of Dynaudio speakers & my reliable BMB sub. Much better than the crappy Bose Wave SoundTouch which I regret buying for her. That will be demoted to the kitchen (hahaha).