I'm using Mi Box for my main playback at home too, initially use optical out to my Edifier AirPulse A300 "multimedia" speaker, and later on USB connection after latest update to Android TV version 9.

The Mi Box don't do bit perfect over USB unless going thru some hack wizardry, but the sound is good enough even via optical. I'm just casually enjoying the music and sound from movies, not critically listening.

The Airpulse A100 is a little over your budget, otherwise I will ask you to take a look. Yeah if the electronics dead the speaker becomes paperweight, that's the problem with these multimedia speakers. However I don't need to deal amp and so many cables.

Cambridge Audio AXA25 or AXA35, although highly acclaimed by "watt hifi", I have seen online many user experience faulty cases, seems very bad QC.
Strange you didn't consider Yamaha A-S501, which have higher power output amongst the budget integrated amplifier category, with DAC too! It has subwoofer output port (cross over at 100Hz) in case future if you thought of adding subwoofer to compliment the bass anemic from bookshelf speaker

TS, your budget is 2k for whole system or each for amp and speaker?
Just the amp you eyeing alone will cost almost 2k.

For amp I would suggest you to get something that have more functions and plenty of inputs. More functions such as have DAC, bluetooth aptx-hd or LDAC. Input of optical, spdif, usb for DAC means lesser chance for your amp to be obsolete. 1 unit that integrate all those function might mean it will be very expensive, as such consider getting 1 unit of DAC that have multiple functions and inputs, and 1 unit of AMP for powering the speaker.

For speaker it is very very subjective since each speaker have their own sound signature and every person have their own preference. For living room where you're sitting 2 or 3 meters away I suggest to get speaker with bass driver at least 5.5" size. For treble driver, now this is the main thing that makes each speaker unique with it's distinct sound. It have a lot of varieties, the most common is dome tweeter, but even that have different of soft and hard dome plus combination of materials. There's also tweeter made of planar, electrostatic, and ribbon just to name a few. Then there's the horn design. All this combined will give different type of sound signature. The best would be to demo the sound yourself, or now due to MCO, read/watch review and listen to speaker sound comparison.

If you're looking for high end audiophile also can consider going second hand route, the price is much more lower than new. Google for "hifi for sale" to find the marketplace.

Now this LYN forum being more of IT literate people, me included, I would would suggest more on getting something that is bang for your buck instead of brand. For DAC you can get something from FiiO or Topping or Shiit which have a lot of functions at reasonable price. Then pair it to AMP for passive speaker or straight to speaker if it is active type. There's tons of DAC to choose around so check which one that tick all your requirement.

You can check out this Youtube channel for a lot of speaker sound comparison. Use headphone.
https://www.youtube.com/user/skubny/videos

But wait, it's not about those hardware only. Your speaker placement is also very important. It makes a lot of difference on it's bass, treble, clarity, soundstage, and more. See these videos for some of the advise.








No matter you got what type of hardware, be it tens of thousands audiophile grade system or like edmund_yung with his ribbon tweeter 6.5" bass "multimedia" speaker that's designed by Phil Jones, as long as the sound is pleasing to your ear, that's all that matter.

am I the only one who will suggest a SMSL AD18 as an amp and spend the other RM3500 for a really good bookshelf set w stands

Better KIV the bookshelf, just get floorstanding since bookshelf + stand occupy the same footprint... it's asking too much for tiny bookshelf to sound wide spectrum from 30Hz-20kHz without a subwoofer..

I prefer to have amp + speakers setup bro..

bold of you to say the AD18 isn't an amp

i mean home hifi amp and speakers bro..

is it not a home hifi amp?

Its kinda bulky for me bro cuz my cabinet partition is limited and this amp cant fit into it.. thats why looking for smaller size..

If amp size is your concern, you no consider those small footprint amp such as NAD D 3020 or Yamaha WXA-50?
Previously I saw local here selling NAD D 3020 around RM1.6k if not mistaken, can't find it anymore probably no more stock, lol.

Measurement and review for Yamaha WXA-50:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/in...aming-amp.7964/

ya, using Google Cache can view the previous webpage selling NAD D 3020, I think now no more stock...

as you are running stereo setup its better to stick with music oriented purpose.
I have not auction any of the system but i am looking the spec for each of them.
Denon & Marantz are under same company but comparing both model you mentioned, Denon is having higher output power. Cambridge somehow is having the lowest power output.

Speaker wise Dali having broader frequency range which is important for stereo setup. It will goes as low as 53hz. Its going to give you more complete audio freq if you do not have a subwoofer. Sensitive for all these speakers are about the same 85-86.5db on paper, dali should be the easiest to drive. All the speakers are rear ported, and should be distance from wall / cabinet for better audio experience. .

If you have more budget you can buy better amp maybe ~ 75w per channel for future proof. 40w/45w amp might not statisfy you if you are going to upgrade to floorstanding in future

my vote will goes for denon + dali. Lets see what other shifu will recommend

am I the only one who will suggest a SMSL AD18 as an amp and spend the other RM3500 for a really good bookshelf set w stands

I prefer to have amp + speakers setup bro..
The reason i opt for bookshelf is because the size of my cabinet.. limited space therefore choosing bookshelf.. otherwise i would get floorstander and blast it 

My Arcam is 45wpc has enough juice to run my KEF Q700 and at the moment running Paradigm Studio 20 V.5

That's a powerful amp, 80w per channel.
Sabaj A4 also not bad
Topping MX3 also good but only 40w per channel
Or Topping PA3 but no DAC
If OP can look past brand there's plenty of cheap China DAC and AMP

Personally if I change speaker I also will get good bookshelf speaker with ribbon or planar tweeter since it offer different sound signature than usual dome tweeter.
Even if bookshelf speaker some is long length for it's depth. Make sure measure properly.

Mine only have hdmi and 3.5mm jack bro.. Ill check it out too bro 

i wish i can have a try on Beryllium tweeter too  not sure if its as good as advertised

:thumbsup: bravo bro.. both of your speakers are having 89db and 90db sensitivity.. as comparison its easier to be pushed... compare to the model TS mentioned dali zensor 86.5db. However, those are on paper some brand defy whats on the paper.. but relatively i know KEF speakers are generally having high sensitivity.

also worth mentioning the effeciency of the amp even its marked with 45w its a question if the amp is able to deliver it efficiently. some marked with 45w but who knows if its actually delivering 45w.  if budget is not an issue of cos TS can get Arcam like urself or even class AB Accuphase

Personally if I change speaker I also will get good bookshelf speaker with ribbon or planar tweeter since it offer different sound signature than usual dome tweeter.
Even if bookshelf speaker some is long length for it's depth. Make sure measure properly.

Audiophile never feel anything is good enough.