Why not search for used 10.1 in KL. It will be around 600-700 range

Ya...  ffuuuuuuuu2...who can afford it? But one can dream, right?

you probably need to give it a good 200 hours run in before you can really determine....

i remembered when i first got my SF Cremonas......it took me nearly 400 hours before i find it smooth...
especially the ring radiator tweeters

then came my audio research amp.....solid state class D......not that i'm a fan of class D as they usually sound rough
but when i listened to the demo in Bangkok...it blew me away with its dynamics, detailed and yet maintained its transient

so i bought a unit as the demo in Bangkok was pushing the Cremonas to sing.....

out from the box...the first 50 hours were just terrible......after a year with it......i'm really happy with it.....

so my advice......save up for a better amp rather than buying in hurry only to regret and upgrade again

just like CDP.....i have a Marantz CD6000 KI for many many years....and tempted to upgrade many many times
i knew at that point that a slightly better cd player won't get me far....
so i saved up for AR CD5......my first so called high end entry level (obviously there are way higher end cd players)
and the music reproduction straight away went up few folds

eventually when CD6 model came out to replace CD5....it was a true dilemma for me....

although it was a replacement for CD5, i thought it was a minor upgrade until i had a listened at it....
i listened at few places....2 while i was travelling....Bangkok and Singapore.....in the end.....upgraded to CD6 also...

you can check out the Sonus Faber thread.....
my hifi pix should be there.....even my previous Grand Piano paired with AR SP17 & VS110

@topet you won't nose bleed one....kena poison that one no gurantee lar

The Cremona is a beautiful speaker. If being partnered with the right amp, it sings beautifully.

We had a used pair recently. Sold it in less than 2 weeks after putting it up in our blogspot. It's a complete set with original boxes. Of course, we did play with it. Used a push push pull tube monoblocs to drive it. Nice!

here's my suggestion

for amplifier, if you don't mind china made brands (nowadays they do really produce impressive products), you might want to check out Audio GD Precision 1.
Based on the technical diagram and circuits, the amps are built with quality parts and properly designed.
at 90watts x 2 @ 8ohms, its quite a good bargain. Price is 2480 from liquidgal at the audio/music garage sale.
They have a showroom in Kota Damansara where you can listen to it
The other amp that you can consider is the Topping T60 amp.....which is affordable and not bad sounding..RM600 per unit

speakers, i'll recommend the XLS-Encore by Curve Acoustics.....great local made speakers......it's quick natural sounding with a smooth roll off......price is 1300...look for forummer FX20

since you already have a laptop, i suppose your laptop comes with cd/dvd unit......why not consider a USB DAC??

honestly Marantz entry is not worth playing unless you are really into Marantz

if you don't mind used units....look for Marantz CD63 KI Edition or CD6000 KI Edition...they should be in the range of 1000 to 1200 depending on condition....these are one of the best made Marantz cdp.....

if you love oldies....this cd player will put life into the Elvis, Nat King Cole, Shirley Basey and many more....

happy hunting

Ya wor but true. The PM series from Marantz is considered entry level. My new PM6004 + CD6004 bought early last year only cost MYR3,800 so 2nd hand for PM5004 + CD5004 should be in the range of MYR2K or less.

Don't mind Hushymushy... he has got "picky" ears from listening to too much good music from very high end tube systems. Hehehehehehehe... I find entry level Marantz not only acceptable but way above average. Quite good in fact. Second hand systems are ok... no need to burn them in. Saves time. My system is still in the burning in stage after more than four months from the box. Will probably take another year or so before it sounds ok. The bass is coming in now but not there just yet whereas the treble is still a wee bit coarse.

Hello guys, I'm new to HiFi and stereo. I dug up my dad's old HiFi system the other day. I currently have an old Yamaha DSP A5 AV Receiver. It seems to be working well with an old bookshelf speaker (I don't know what model is that) that my dad owned. I have it connected to my laptop. Anyway, I'm looking to upgrade the system. Should I stick with the old Yamaha as my speaker amp since I have a tight budget or I should get a new integrated amp since I'm using with a laptop and also for better sound quality . For speakers, I'm currently looking at Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 or 10.2. I'm not sure which amp to buy. My maximum budget is RM1,500 for both amp and speakers. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Floorstanders are perfectly okay. Which speakers?

You could try using some spike on your speakers (or does your speakers already have them)? That usually tighten up the bass a bit. Speaker wires also affects the sound coming out from the speakers. Maybe you could borrow a few and test them with your speakers. Also, what amp are you using? Could you have accidentally engaged your "Loudness" button?

You sure you did not accidentally engage the Loudness button?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/910eo11nzm69ayy/U...tled-1.jpg?dl=0

Ya...still on hold now until my new place is ready, maybe in September after the renovations. By the time I get it (imported) it will be in November and it will take a few months to burn that monster in, which means that it will be ready for listening sometime next year...hahahahahaha

Might not get Aida though...perhaps the Magico M5 (frigging huge) or the Dynaudio Evidence Master (nice and slender) or the Evidence Platinum.
Most probably the Dynaudio cos I can get CMY to import it in for me (and I DO like Dynaudio).

Bro, I don't have a BIG house like yours lah... that's why my preference is leaning towards the Dynaudio Evidence Master. Secondly, I REALLY am NOT looking forward to dealing with our friend from Perfect Hifi at Wisma MPL again. Thirdly, I REALLY like Dynaudio. Maybe my Guarneri will sound better on its stands (hee..hee... I have not collected it yet) or after I have finally burned it in. Or after I have burned in all my components and connectors but the Marantz + Dynaudio seems to sound better than Krell + Guarneri.
Aiyah...all you SF fans ah...