That one my dream speakers too. And their limited edition is gorgeous.

http://whathifi.com/hi-fi/archive/2008/03/...0-speakers.aspx

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Added on March 31, 2008, 10:45 amSpoken like a true Naim cult member. Somehow, only Naim is able to generate a cult following.

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: Mar 31 2008, 10:47 AM

I guess it depends whether you think your current system has adequate or inadequate bass, since you would be moving from floorstanders to bookshelfs by going for the BR2 or 602 S3. Having said that, the 602 S3 are pretty large bookshelf speakers and may not really lose out a lot in terms of bass depth and weight. Personally, I think they look rather ugly and clumsy as I find them too large to be bookshelfs.

In bass heavier rooms/systems, I have found a definite improvement in transparency, speed and tautness by going for bookshelf speakers, as the midrange is not muddied up by the overpowering bass.

I think both those speakers you mentioned are a step up from your Wharfedales in terms of quality. I'm not a fan of budget floorstanders, as I think only when you move up the range that the manufacturers are able to minimise some of the physical downsides that larger cabinets bring. Looking at the rest of your system, I think they deserve better than the Wharfedales too. I have listened to the BR2 before, and used to own a pair of 601 S3. Between the two models you mentioned, I would go for the BR2, but only if your system does not currently suffer from lack of bass.

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: Apr 3 2008, 02:23 PM

Yes, I do agree the B&W's clarity is rather good, but I thought the sound was a bit metallic compared to better speakers. The 602 S3 is an older but more expensive speaker than the BR2, so it's also not that surprising that you thought it was better. However, unless you actually did an A-B comparison of the two speakers, it's hard to really tell conclusively, because the equipment and cables that each speaker was connected to can make a lot of difference to what you heard.

lelucky, if you can extend your budget to about RM4.5k, you'll be able to buy into some new entry level models like Marantz CD6002 and Marantz PM6002.

For 3k, you'll just have to keep your eyes peeled on The Star Audiomart or hifi4sale.blogspot

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: Apr 9 2008, 04:44 PM

lelucky, I think not much point if we tell you what second hand items to go for, because you can't really control what is available on the used market anyway. Better that you check back with us here when you come across something interesting on those two sites I mentioned.

http://www.hifi4sale.blogspot.com/
http://sites.thestar.com.my/audio/classads.asp?s=audiomart

But generally the cheapest amps I've seen advertised here are in the region of RM800 to RM1000, something like this:
http://hifi4sale.blogspot.com/2008/04/camb...integrated.html

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: Apr 14 2008, 04:12 PM

RM1500 for a 5.1/7.1 speaker set to be paired with either of the above AV receivers is way too little. You should be looking to spend about RM4k.

Can consider the Monitor Audio BR range for that price, if you prefer full size speakers. If you want compact speakers, then consider Acoustic Energy Aego-T.

Matching front and back is desirable but not so critical. But you should at least make sure your front and center speakers are from the same range of speakers.

With that budget, best to go for a Home Theater in a Box system (HTiB).

The PS3 does not have an in-built amplifier so it will not be able to drive a 5.1 speaker set. But the PS3 is also a DVD player (I'm making an assumption here since it can play blu-ray discs) so why do you need to connect a DVD player to it?

Just make sure the HTiB system you get is able to input the signal from your PS2 and you're in business for 1.5k.

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: May 12 2008, 06:15 PM

Rave review of the new Cyrus CD player. I want!

http://whathifi.com/blogs/the_next_big_thi...is-century.aspx

http://whathifi.com/News/The-most-startlin...t-this-century/

http://whathifi.com/Review/Cyrus-CD-6-SE/

Unless your CD player and hifi amp is really outdated and your AVR is a newer model, it's better to connect your CDP to a hifi amp using analogue interconnects. By connecting your CDP to the AVR using coaxial cable means that you are using the onboard DAC in the AVR, which usually aren't as good as the ones used in a CDP. Furthermore, the amplifier stage in an AVR is also not as "pure" as that of a hifi amp, and subject to much more signal interference because of the amount of features they cramp into an AVR.

Did you have any luck in Singapore? Of the 3 brands you mentioned, I think the Naim has the best quality sound to match the 805 (which I used to have a pair before) but based on your budget, a new Naim Nait 5i is a bit low powered and the 805 do like a bit more juice. I don't think Rotel and Arcam is good enough to match the 805.

So what that leaves you is to look for a good used amp and CD player.. something that cost about RM10k new but now selling for about RM5k. I would suggest Naim 5XS.

Nice choice with the Cyrus. Think they should go well with the 805. So you managed to escape paying duties at the causeway? I'm thinking of bringing back a pair of Mordaunt Short Performance 6LE speakers from Singapore as they are about RM9k cheaper there. Makes no sense...Singaporeans earn more but get to buy hifi cheaper.

I was using the Transparent HP14-4 (biwired) and got lots of improvement by switching to QED Revelation (single wired with jumpers). If you're willing to spend more, then go for Franck Tchang's ASI Liveline. Recently acquired the ASI Liveline interconnect and boy, it's an absolutely awesome cable that can beat many more expensives cables.

This post has been edited by Audio Nirvana: Sep 1 2010, 10:02 AM

Franck Tchang is the guy who does all these acoustic resonators. Locally, his products are sold by CMY. He's quite a genius, that guy. You can find lots of reviews of his products on the internet.

http://www.francktchang.com/

What is your current amplifier?