petetherock Posted December 29, 2006 Posted December 29, 2006 Dear brothers and friends I am in the midst of setting up a new system and have narrowed down some speakers for audition. This will take place in the fourth week of Jan '07. Some of you have expressed an interest in joining me. I am no professional, no expert or seller, but it's fun to trade ideas and join forces for purchases. I will visit Adelphi, and probably SLS and maybe People's Park. I will also go to Hean Lee Radio for my wiring/ cabling needs, the boss there is a friend of mine. (she also does surge protecters etc) I mght pop into the SLT shop S.C. mentioned too. ** I have no commercial interest and do not seek to make any $$ from anyone joining me** We can sit down, share tips, and analyse your budget, floor plans and music preference. And if we buy or just listen or just drink coffee together, I am happy to make new friends and share my SPL meter, demo discs etc. Important other bits to do: Get a floor plan A realistic budget What your aim is Read up first, on the FAQs posted here, some of the tips available, and google or search around a bit. Get wife consent to buy :) --- most important, if you kena chase out of the house, don't blame me :) Have a couple of Cds, DVDs you know by heart. And just be open to making new friends. Those who have pm me earlier, just remind me around middle of Jan (hopefully some of you stay in AMK area and can give me a lift) Then we can arrange for a weekday and maybe a weekend to go hunting. (weekedays are better as the shops are less busy). I am keen to buy so I wil go prepared with my cheque book. (BTW some of them don't like Credit cards) Some speakers I will defintely be auditioning: MA RS and GS series B & W CM (need to get 'lobang' from a brother first) Triangle JM Lab I will also visit or buy an Oppo either 970 or 981. And I might shop for a new plasma plus minus a PJ + screen as well. Room treatment material. Any comments on speaker choices and any ideas and tips on places to shop - esp for the video side will be appreciated. BTW anyone with a light meter to spare? Pete
SiriuslyCold Posted December 29, 2006 Posted December 29, 2006 my SPL meter is light if i remove the battery... ;D seriously though... I'd like to tag along when you go listen to the MA RS series.
petetherock Posted December 29, 2006 Author Posted December 29, 2006 Yeah got S.C. coming! I need your help - if I cannot discern any difference between the GS and RS (hoping so) then I save mega-bucks!! The boss is called Peter ;) and Edward is a decent guy (sales rep) I will also visit Mr SK Lee - Seng Heng cos he always has bargains. Got my SR 12 from him.
gerald1624705841 Posted December 29, 2006 Posted December 29, 2006 Like i told u before i want to upgrade my speakers. Currently looking at MA RS or GS too but open to other brands. I will follow u for audition. Weekdays is also fine but unable to make it between 14 to 20 Jan as i will be out on town.
petetherock Posted December 29, 2006 Author Posted December 29, 2006 Gerald I note your reply :) -- prob head there after 27th Jan BTW I read up on the B & W CM series, I suggest you do so too, If you can get the GS series, also think about the Anthony Gallo reference - about 5-6k but a work of art as well as an audiophile speaker. Don't forget Thiel. But I found that MA compliments my Marantz better. BTW S.C. Last quote I got was 1290 - pre gst on the RS 6. Any brothers who have deals on their speakers, please let me know. Thanks to Civicguy, Darthfunk and Sparks for putting ideas, and offering their tips and suggestions and prices.
DJQ Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 So Peter, any tentative date you can give us on this event of yours? so we can plan in advance. ;)
petetherock Posted December 30, 2006 Author Posted December 30, 2006 Hi after 27th Jan, depending on how I feel, I might go on the 29th a monday but its too early. Sorry dude :)
Quest88 Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 going for any jmlab can count me in. hoho! add: and totems, and usher also. ;D
ks Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Ok, can count me in. Setting up 2 systems at home, 1 for HT, 1 for pure stereo. What I am doing now, is to lay dedicated power lines for these 2 purposes. I think we a cleaner power source, comes better sound. Go echoloft and read up if u find it worthwhile trying this out. 1)home theatre [/b]components I already have for:[/b] 2 pairs of usher S-520 glossy black 1 piece of usher S-525 glossy black 1 piece of SVS PB-10 bronze 1 piece of panny XR55 Apogee Wyde Eye digital cable Belden 1810A 3m pair speaker cables no name brand 2.5m braided speaker cables [/b]components I plan/need to buy :[/b] Target Speaker 4 posts stands from NDV@Adelphi Component rack from Linn audio@Adelphi Canare 4S8 9m surround speaker cables(from overseas) universal DVD/SACD/DVD-A player stepdown transformer for panny component cables for display so need some recommendations for the components i need/plan ;D
petetherock Posted December 30, 2006 Author Posted December 30, 2006 Welcome ks! BTW If you live near AMK, might come and listen to the Ushers...boleh? I need a component rack too, so I will go with you, but Linn sounds out of my budget. I was going to get some 'Queenie" stuff for my supports. Any brother selling old target racks? I think Oppo is a nice player for you, either 970 or 981. I am aiming for the 970 right now, since I don't have a HDMI capable reciever. Or I might get a Panny DMR E65, which outputs to 1080i If you know the price of the racks or maybe even the Panny recorder, please let me know? Thanks P
petetherock Posted December 30, 2006 Author Posted December 30, 2006 BTW, part of this ops is a good makan, never buy on an empty stomach! Harder to enjoy hi fi :) So Phase I meet at FUP: I know a solid beef noodle close to Adelphi - near beach road (can't recall the exact rd name - 2 lanes from Raffles Hotel) IB If its SLS, I know a solid mee pok in the basement of SLS, and a nice popiah too - slurp! Phase II Planned assualt on showrooms. Probably 3-4 showrooms in a single day max. Phase III Go to each others place and listen, help set up and sit back and enjoy! And enjoy the food around each other's home ;) Phase IV Buy and eat some more! Phase V Buy some software to enjoy the new hi fi with Then, repeat above process at many other localities....
ks Posted December 31, 2006 Posted December 31, 2006 Welcome ks! BTW If you live near AMK, might come and listen to the Ushers...boleh? I need a component rack too, so I will go with you, but Linn sounds out of my budget. I was going to get some 'Queenie" stuff for my supports. Any brother selling old target racks? I think Oppo is a nice player for you, either 970 or 981. I am aiming for the 970 right now, since I don't have a HDMI capable reciever. Or I might get a Panny DMR E65, which outputs to 1080i If you know the price of the racks or maybe even the Panny recorder, please let me know? Thanks P My new place will be in AMK so when it's ready, feel free to drop in and listen. Anyway, it wouldn't be ready until late feb or march. As for the component rack, its not a Linn rack. price wise, i think its not too bad. I have shopping around for a while for a rack that is able to put centre speakers, 2 amps and 2 sources and so far that is the one that has been able to meet my needs. cost ard $300 if I can remember correctly. The others are really hifi racks, that go 3/4/5 tiers but not being able to accomodate my centre speaker. If you want Target racks, check out the buy/sell in echoloft. someone is letting go of target rack. One of the reasons why I got a full Usher setup is so that I can have more consistent sonic signature by using (almost)the same speakers for multichannel SACD player. Am initially thinking of getting the OPPO but Im not sure of its competency has a SACD player but now I am considering the Denon 2930/3930s which i think will sound better than the OPPOs. So this is for the HT. What I need help is in the calibration and advising me on the kind of room treatment I need. For home stereo, its a different story :)
antpink Posted December 31, 2006 Posted December 31, 2006 would love to join, but too early for me - plans for upgrading will begin in earnest sometime after Feb. Looking at MA BR series for 5 speaker surround sound, and a new TV (plasma), but must bust the budget in stages - plasma first. ks - interested in the rack you saw, can you share what brand this is so I can see what it is like on the web? Thanks
Darthfunk Posted December 31, 2006 Posted December 31, 2006 Yo Pete drop me a msg when you are back in town man. Can always meet up for drinks and makan before your buying spree!
petetherock Posted December 31, 2006 Author Posted December 31, 2006 Ha man from the east ;) Sure, hi fi and food, yum! I saw a TV console in the papers about 3 weeks ago, not sure how much though, but it accomodates 50" plasmas Sadly no one replied my queries on the cost of a Pioneer 507 :( Antpink, it doesn't matter if you don't buy, just pop by and make friends esp, if you live near AMK And, you can get first, ship / set up later if you like. Some brothers here are experienced so I hope that helps Finally, the new Ultracube 12 from Paradigm is available from Asia Sound if anyone is keen, small (big on WAF), tight and goes down to 19Hz and it's pretty loud! Expensive though - SRP USD 999 Yo Pete drop me a msg when you are back in town man. Can always meet up for drinks and makan before your buying spree!
ks Posted December 31, 2006 Posted December 31, 2006 would love to join, but too early for me - plans for upgrading will begin in earnest sometime after Feb. Looking at MA BR series for 5 speaker surround sound, and a new TV (plasma), but must bust the budget in stages - plasma first. ks - interested in the rack you saw, can you share what brand this is so I can see what it is like on the web? Thanks I dunno what brand, but its in Linn's store last week when I went. If you walk into the store, u will see it right away. They underwent renovation so Im not sure if they shifted the rack. They also sell other hifi racks, and nice designs too, which are going at abt $250
Jason Tee Posted December 31, 2006 Posted December 31, 2006 Hi ks, may I know where is the store located ??
rahul Posted January 1, 2007 Posted January 1, 2007 would love to join, but too early for me - plans for upgrading will begin in earnest sometime after Feb. Looking at MA BR series for 5 speaker surround sound, and a new TV (plasma), but must bust the budget in stages - plasma first. ks - interested in the rack you saw, can you share what brand this is so I can see what it is like on the web? Thanks I am in a similar situation. Only I have bought my plasma. Thought I will put off the 5.1 speaker sale till later...but excellent picture quality deserves excellent sount as well. Do you know the price of Monster Audio bronze 5 speaker set ? I am really interested in that.
petetherock Posted January 2, 2007 Author Posted January 2, 2007 Why not call Edward (Ban Leong) at 63344 611 and tell us how much and post it here. Even if you are not buying immediately, come and make some friends.
petetherock Posted January 2, 2007 Author Posted January 2, 2007 Tentative plan: 29th Monday Phase I - Adelphi (MA, JM Lab, KEF + visit KEC) 30th Phase II - Monsoon (B & W)+ SLS 31st - Adelphi part II (review and audition others) 1st Feb - wires and other stuff - Jln Besar / SLT 3rd for a Saturday review if needed (I don't like Saturdays cos its crowded and the sellers have less time for you) I will go late morning and be done before rush hour)
DJQ Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 wow great. will apply leave asap. ;D but dun think i can go everyday. maybe 1st & 2nd day only. ;)
benzx Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 Hi Pete, for video displays, those guys in adelphi usually got lobang one. Just look around for the model you want and note the best price you've seen so far. When you're done with audition and decided which speaker to get, also ask the salesman to source the video display for you. They should be able to match the best price, or even lower. (I guess since they've made from the speakers, they dont mind not making from the video display, just provide additional service. hehe)
rahul Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 Why not call Edward (Ban Leong) at 63344 611 and tell us how much and post it here. Even if you are not buying immediately, come and make some friends. OK will do that. Am interested in joining you when possible. Work at Suntec so can join you at Adelphi for a bit on 29th. Other days not sure. Though I fear I might buy something before that... Got the itch ! I went to Adelphi today but most shops were closed. I had gone to Audionote to buy preowned RS8 speakers going for 1200$. Saw the deal on www.hifi.com.sg But later found out that they were already sold :-( After that I browsed around a bit. Audioone guys were very friendly. Auditioned some Castle speakers. Not really my cup of tea. Also audiioned some Jamo FS speakers (900-1200$), B&W 3 series FS (around 1150$) Nothing that really kicked me. One of the shops(Level 1, with Monitor Audio written outside) was selling RS6 for 1250$. Supposed to be a discounted price. The Klipsch showroom had RF-25/RC-25/RS-25 set going for around 2200$. I just saw it from outside(shop was closed) Might audition them tomorrow. Have heard that Klipsch speakers are too bright (due to the Horn design ?) and they are best with tube amps (something I have no clue about). So a bit sceptical about them. My idea right now is to buy : good Floor Standers for music (around 1000-1200$). Buy ordinary surround/center (500$). Get an SVS sub (when Monsoon gets them..) (1200$), Get an old Marantz amp - SR8300 or similar (600$). Total budget around 3500$ 70%music, 30% movies Any suggestions welcome ... By the way, I have the Pioneer PD-427XD plasma. Cost me 4400$ at Best Dinki. Extras I got were 5 yrs warranty, Pioneer HDD recorder DV645 (with HDMi upscaling). Its gorgeous. I am most impressed by the quality of Standard Definition stuff. The footy matches look great. And 42" screen is big enough for my room. Viewing distance about 3.5m The prices of 50" plasmas that I know... 1) Pioneer 507XG (about $7.3k at HN) 2) Panasonic TH 50PV600H (about $6k at MegaStore)
petetherock Posted January 2, 2007 Author Posted January 2, 2007 Wow Rahul! Thanks! You can be the forward recce party! If you are getting a sub, the RS6 is plenty, in fact the Rs1 maybe sufficient if you crossover at 80Hz and save so you have more for the sub. Thats the price I was quoted as well for theRS6, but be careful if it includes GST - their trick! The RS LCR should be in your budget. You can use old speakers in your home til you get $$ for the rears. Suggest you keep REL or Paradigm on your list, mayb the Velo CHT12R as well (more for HT though) BTW how much did you pay for the Pioneer DVR645, and any idea of the price of the 745? Thanks for the suggestions benzx. If other bros can post prices they spotted, I would greatly appreciate it. I will be on leave during the period so I can settle the buying and setting up issues, so we can meet, talk etc in between too. BTW Zam, if you are shopping for subs, keep SVS in mind, even if you ship them from US. (I forgot to add last night, I use one sub for music and one for HT, so no overlapping bass / interference issues ;)
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