Dear all sifu,

can recommend me a good home cinema amplifiers with the price tag range of RM3.5 ~ 4K ?

i'm eyeing yamaha rx-a830 , yamaha rx-a1030, onkyo tx-nr626 or tx-nr727.

which one is reliable and good perform?

This post has been edited by hoss: Oct 21 2013, 07:40 AM

I just set up my sytem with Yamaha A730.

Actually many of the features i dont even use it. But the sound quality is amazing.

What are the features that u hardly use ?

Looks like you're searching for AVR instead of amplifier.
Save yourself some money and get older models like Denon 3312. Else, get Denon 3313.

Step up to Denon X4000 if possible. You'll need the Audyssey XT32.

This post has been edited by Skylinestar: Oct 16 2013, 11:41 AM

PM me for a good deal on Yamaha Amp

Marantz 5008 (rm3k) or 6008 (rm4k). For music playback sound quality, nothing beat these marantz. Onkyo 818 might has stronger n thicker mid, but I can sense some distortion, especially at the lower freq mid.

And if u only interested on movies, nothing beat pioneer lx series. The lx87 is truly impressive. U can try lx57, around rm5k n should give similar sound.

Mov_freak, pls pm the model that I had mention. Thx.

Chanhin, how if I'm interest in both movie and music? And good avr to recommend ?

For both movies n music, very hard. The closest one is onkyo 5010 accompany the KEF R700. But it had 2 major known issues;

1. High price tag of RM9k
2. It run very hot... really worry on its lifespan.

Back to reality, if music n movies r half half, suggest m
Marantz 5008 n 6008. Remember to pair with good detail front for music n good center n sub for movies. BW CM9 being okay for both music n movies. For center, if budget okay, kef r600c or BW cmc. Sub min 12" n below 20hz

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 16 2013, 04:22 PM

What is the damage for a pair BW CM9? and CMC?

CM9 about RM11k... crazy. KEF Q900 price is more friendly n value.

\
KEF Q900 I got quote around RM6k a pair

You have been pm'ed.

Wahhh... Out of budget dy... T.T
Reasonable set one dun hv?

... Assuming you mean me.

I believe they are all within the budget you had stated above...

Sorry, that all the pricing I have. Call him and ask him directly

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 16 2013, 05:23 PM

Mov_freak I mean the price mention by chanhin and vinceyang.

Mov_freak thx for ur pm.

You are welcome

CM8 is still reasonable at 9k and cmc for 3k. B&W does not come cheap but the sound is stunning but pairing with marantz is not really good choice. Arcam AVR will be more suitable.

This post has been edited by sonerin: Oct 16 2013, 09:29 PM

You mean Onkyo 5010 is very hot? I thought Onkyo models since X09 / XX09 series run cooler than previous generation?

I think Yamaha & Denon are very hot too. I've never owned Onkyo before.

This post has been edited by Skylinestar: Oct 16 2013, 09:43 PM

The sound is fantastic... But dun simply buy la... See your room size first. The speaker is consider big ya... Good for living hall.

I never try CM8 as at RM9k, the size is so small and slim... The looks a bit cheap for its price...

For value for $$$, personally I think KEF Q series are very good. B+W cheaper series are dissapointment as other brands offer much better quality at that price...

Wait until you try the 5010... It is crazy...

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 16 2013, 10:07 PM

For the TS, if you can strench your budget and really want seriously good performance for both audio and video, I suggest buy Pioneer LX-57 for movie first. Then when you really want better audio, get another Marantz PM6005 dedicated stereo amp. The amp come with built in good DAC and is relatively cheap. Might also consider get a AC filter for the stereo amp for best performance.

So far from my knowledge, that's the only way for both great movies and music experinces.

A tube amp is best for music.

If have budget for CM9, might as well go for CM10.
And yes, for that kind of money I rather get JBL LS series or klipsch 82

This post has been edited by Vinceyang: Oct 16 2013, 10:55 PM

If have budget better even go for diamond series. Too bad not many people can appreciate B&W.

JBL and Klipsch both are great speakers too. My advice to TS is to listen personally to the speakers. It is very personal thing when comes to speakers. Of course it pretty much drill down to your budget.

Chanhin, may I know what is TS, DAC, AC filter

TS -> Tread starter, refer to you
DAC -> Digital to Analog Converter. It is the second most important thing after speakers that impact the end results.
AC Filter -> Our wall sockets AC has noise, which is also carried into any amp transformer, which later into all the circuits. Anyway, it is small, but can be noticeable, especially with high detailed speakers.

Anyway, once reached 60 years old, lots of sound quality no longer really matter... hahaha...

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 16 2013, 11:58 PM

...(0.0)...

okie... thx for d info

I've got a onkyo receiver tx-SR606 to let go. Let me know if you're interested.

Hi Alvin, I prefer new unit thx.

Is there any receiver that can play movies eg mkv file thru usb?

Is anyone there tried KEF R100 5.1 theatre set?

no AVR can do that as of now... maybe another 2 version...

If you want to skip media player, you can buy Samsung TV. As long as 5 series and above, can play most format including DTS surround encoded MKV.

Actually Philips led TV series 6 is not bad too. Panel response time is 2ms.

How to mix both AVR and stereo AMP to use with only a pair of speaker? does the marantz PM6005 come with AV pass through function?

My friend just buy this philips 2ms response time and he not satisfied...because ...when watching bluray
movie ,its look like watching tv drama...movement like cartoon.....
he try adjust to cinema picture preset....ok ...but picture quality too bad in term of colour contras, white balance,
and black level ....

Is it? I hvnt try the blueray movie but when the TV compare side by side with LG lm9600. Philips is just outstanding compare to LG

Try it bro and you will know what I said....

I'm preparing myself THOR and ironman 3 hope it wunt fail me.

If really that case my next tv will be plasma.

Bro...but if u like the way your led philip display....ok la..
different people different they want ....

If you are serious into movie then plasma will be good

No need AV bypass. Very few expensive amp has that...

(1) Music playback on stereo amp into another room, another setup.

or

(2) Both AVR and stereo amp has cable to the speakers, but only one pair of speakers are plug in. Later want to listen music, unplug the AVR and plug in stereo amp one That's how working level without high salary do it...

Chanhin, is the different very huge between KEF Q and R series? cos i saw R series is a lot more expansive. what is the different in term of sound? can we hear the different?

how about B&W 685?

685 is a very good speaker indeed. A bookshelf with good mid and low. You should go to have a listen in B&W showroom in jaya33.

i got this pair of speakers. duno can be used or not.



This post has been edited by hoss: Oct 21 2013, 07:56 AM

From the info on the speaker sticker looks ok to be use

Duno how far can/good the speaker perform.

Try and you shall see... Or in this instance, hear...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 21 2013, 03:01 PM

Q and R are of different sound. Most people swear that R is so much better.

Anyway, to my ears, Q perform better in mid and high than R, but low bass suffer a bit, which I ignore because I believe is not that bad and can compesate by sub if required.

While R is focusing on more overal better sound and improving its bass to be more quality, tighter.... but the mid and high slightly lost to Q, which I can clearly hear that.

Thus it is back to matter of taste. If you like detailed vocal from audiophine CD, IMO, the cheaper Q is even better than R. Well, I know lots of KEF supporter going to hamtam me, but that's my honest opinions.

Even the shopkeeper laught at me when I said I prefer the Q. He told me I am the only one saying Q is better. Well, I judge solely 100% based on what I hear, rather than bias towards its prices or great magazine review. You can say I am very bias towards raw quality rather than any marketing or advertisement, which never work on me.

While on B+W, I am slightly dissapointed as not giving the similar quality over price as compare to compatitor. So far only thier CM series are okay. Even BIG brand like ATC also lost big time on sub RM10k speakers.

I heard B+W going to carry the latest CM10. Do hope its sound is as good as its looks. Expectation is high for such price.

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 21 2013, 03:42 PM

I like ur comment really! But then which sub woofer r u pair with?

Check my sig if u r interested

EarthQuake MiniMe P12 - 12" sub

Anyway, for sub wise, there should be lots of other chioces. whenever possible... 12" at least + sealed sub for more controlled bass, which important for music.

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 22 2013, 12:17 AM

However, Monitor Audio RX2 at similar price is far better than the B+W 685.

It is why it seems B+W is not really good for its value... until CM series then maybe can fight with its competitors.

Samething to the brand, Focal, its 700 and 800V/W Chorus are lame for thier price. Its real quality only start with Electra series, which impressed me kao kao...

I can only say just trust your own ear no matter what people say about the speaker. Sound is very subjective to listener. Then of course also you need to consider what you want to spend.

Just to add. System matching and tuning according to room and gears are important too.

Tuan, I still looking for floorstander to match the Rythmik 15"

Klipsch.

B+W CM10?

yes, you are right. but, since i'm know ntg. therefore, hopefully there are some benchmark to follow. will find out more on what i want from there.

erm... i think it got bass, but the bass cover the vocal clarity.... ( i think so )

So, in other words you are not impressed with the separation (High, mids and low). Interesting... Traditionally, studio speakers tend to emphasis, Mids and highs....

Put of curiosity, what sort of music are you into... Classical, Jazz, Pop, Club...?

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 22 2013, 02:31 AM

Hi

Would you recommend running AVR/AMP from UPS to clean the power source?

Yes.

The reason I ask this is because some audiophiles believe that using power that has gone thru UPS would shorten the lifespan of the electrical components esp capacitors.

i like all...

Aww... don't cry. I'm in the same boat. In term of speaker, why do give the monitor audios a try, the silver series and up

Actually I plan to buy a good and reliable avr first (info gather for Yamaha,onkyo dunno which one better, is THX is a must?) then use back the speakers which I posted earlier and pair with

KEF 300
KEF 200c
B&W 610 sub woofer.

Duno it workable or not.

Get some nice CD to test la. I have my own set.

Bookself speakers are easier to benchmark. If it is floor stand, some demo room are really too small... making the bass very boomy... The bass disturbance until cover the mid and high... where I cannot judge.

UPS can clean up power source? I have APC UPS, but battery kong... Sure can then I replace the battery.

If you look at my pm, you can actually call him and make an appointment to bring you stuff over to test with the amps. So you'll know for sure.

Bring some material (movie/music etc) which you are familiar with, so you know if you are happy with the sound or not.

I use both Yamaha and Onkyo... Not crazy about the Onkyo (has HDMI sensing/handshake issues).

P.S. unless you are willing to spend alot of money, don't even go there... You are just giving more money to George Lucas (his company certifies THX equipment). Trust your ears Hoss...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 22 2013, 12:58 PM

you mean i can bring over my speakers to go over there to test it out?

since you got the CD, then just burn a copy, i will then collect from u hahahaha

For my pioneer LX82 I never miss to turn "on" THX mode especially when I play 7.1 chanell movie...
so for me if you want buy amp with THX ....pioneer is the best choice , last time I own onkyo with
thx but cannot feel like pioneer one....pioneer was class D THX btw.....

Yes, if you call him before hand to make arrangements, I believe you can.

i believe ur avr is quite expansive.

btw what u mean for the "class D" ?

beside, u mentioned u always on THX mode even though the audio dun hv the THX format? or how ?

This post has been edited by hoss: Oct 22 2013, 08:48 PM

LX82 use to be the top range of Pioneer AVR. When is new is about 9k retail. The latest one I believe is LX86. The price should be around the same. In fact, with 4k budget can already get like what I am using Emotiva. Is separate component. Is budget setup with reasonably good performance compare to just AVR

Be careful le... Later drop speakers or scrath here and there...



Not sure n LX-82, but LX-87 do rock and impressed me. I consider myself hard to satisfy type.

Latest is LX-87. Somehow Malaysia has the first owner faster than HK. How I know?

Chanhin, do you have any recommendation on the subwoofer?

how about the 3 models below:-

1. B&W ASW610 (a lot good reviews)
2. Wharfedale Diamond SW250,
3. KEF Q400B.

What is your budget on sub ? I am a fan of B&W but not sure if I will recommend the sub. Anyway, if budget allow you can check out SVS sub. They are awesome.

< RM2700

That is good enough. Check out our member maxx web site. SVS really is something you want for movie.

pls share the site

SVS is also available at where I had directed you. He is Maxx reseller. I'm using a SVS PB1000 myself

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 22 2013, 10:22 PM

how much is urs SVS PB1000?

Less then your budget...

Talk to him lah. I might get in trouble putting prices here... You don't want that right....

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 22 2013, 11:00 PM

Well, to be frank, my experiences on sub is still limited and hard to judge solely based on sub because we do not just listen to only sub in any shop.

My recommendation is EarthQuake Minime P12, which is a 12" that can do as low as 18 hz. Good enough for me.

Mind to elaborate more of u impression on LX87? Movie, stereo...

hmm... not quite understand that u mention on [12" that can do as low as 18 hz]. what to do with the 18hz?

To select a sub the lower the hz can go the better. SVS can lower than 18hz, so theoretically is better. In practical it is a better sub as well

Movies and concert BD experinces are fantastic with clarity and details that never heard before... Basically another level as compare to normal Marantz or Onkyo. I can give 9/10.

Stereo music wise.... a bit complicated. Details got, depth so-so... So later I switch to using CD player analog output where depth improved, but details and clarity drop. So far cannot find good general solution on the stereo music. I can give 4/10.

Anyway, dun get me wrong on the not-so-good stereo music playback, most people speakers should already has a limit on hearing the bottleneck. Some more most ears cannot ears the differences much... So still okay to most people including the experinced one.

Thus for LX series users, serious recommend to buy another set of stereo amp.

Our amp can usually do between 10Hz to 100kHz. A good sub must be at least doing 20Hz on the low side for deeper feel. Cheap sub is about 30Hz where hardly can feel the deep depth stuff.

Thanks for you sharing.
Maybe the older model LX-90 Susanno is doing better in stereo?

What do you think if LX86/87 compare to Denon 4311?

No experinces on Denon....

Any1 willing to sponsor me the Denon for 2 weeks evaluation?

Hopefully I can get a Yamaha soon...

Btw, I think the Pioneer LX86 and 87 should be the best for movies... For 2 reaons;

(1) I hear it, damn good and impressed
(2) Even in KL intertional video audio show, most demostration are using pioneer after all. Assume they had done thier homework.

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 23 2013, 02:20 PM

Last time i owned pioneer vsx-ax2as (thx selec 2 cert.) then i want upgrade to HD sound...i bought onkyo not sure the model but it was THX selec 2 also, price around 4.5k
sorry to say it cannot beat pioneer sound especially when i try play around with THX mode...i owned only one week then sent it back ...replace with pioneer LX82...
this situation is 5 years ago, now im not sure onkyo improving or not...

agree with u i dont have thx format disk but for pioneer but when you setting your system with pioneer thx speaker setting even though your speaker not thx certified, trust me you can
feel different especially your sub and surrbck..

What is class D you can google it bro...and pioneer is pioneer in THX class D av receiver if i' not mistake...

Matyeo is right, for class D defination, can google.

Here has some human understanding of defination of Class D;

(1) Nothing wrong with details and clarity, proven in LX-87
(2) When you play to max power ratted, the distortion is much worst than Class AB, which completely unacceptable for music.

Anyway, there is no worry, with the Pioneer, max rated is about 200 watt, how to use to the max in home? First bottleneck is speakers.

While for class AB maxed out power, distortion could be detected at small detailed, which is not that bad as compare to class D.

And for Class A, I think hardly can detect any issue when max out power...

Again, all these not important in reality...

Btw, when you guys trying to max up all the rated power for any reason, be very careful on the multiple speakers connection using single amp output. If you do parrellal connection too much, the amp is very very hot and easily burn it.

This post has been edited by chanhin: Oct 23 2013, 02:39 PM

Reading of your experience makes me wanna try out Pionner Elite

Does the Advance MCACC comes with Bass correction?

im not sure what you mean by bass correction but mcacc for LX series got extra menu for sub setting ...
and pioneer dont have sub trim like others...

bro...if you really like watch movie more...pioneer LX is good chioce ..

Just ask yourself this - Do you want a sub for accuracy, or you want a sub that can let your heart feel the "thumb" , especially during explosion?

Oh, is the mean MCACC have room correction for low frequency as well? But I thought it only correct until 60Hz (not sure)

Well, time to hunt for a LX series!

SS2 hi way laser carry a lot if pioneer AVR models

I in Penang state