Hi-fi setup with budget RM2k

Hi guys
I am planning to set up a hi-fi for my music listening and for now i only have RM2000 to spare. I have a pair of KEF Q300 to use so any stereo amp to suggest with good performance within my budget?
Choices i am keen to know are

1. Audiolab
2. Cambridge Audio
3. Marantz
4. Rotel

Please share your opinion. Thanks

What will be your source? CD player, LP or computer?

It would be PC for now. I am thinking of Mac Mini as source for Hi-res audio.
CDP may be later when budget permits then.

For 2K, i would recommend you to take a look at TOPPING TP60 Class-D amp (around RM700) and a usb power DAC (ESS Sabre, around RM600). You wouldn't believe you can how good they sound at less than 2k.

Same same, I am getting one today. dont exactly know how it will sound.

RM2k sound system is very real and achievable. You did be surprise how good it is when u seriously look for it.

I recommend u go with magnet wire as well for speaker cable. Dirt cheap by hifi standard. Someone said,this is very much u see at anticable~

adrian4454 wrote:Same same, I am getting one today. dont exactly know how it will sound.

RM2k sound system is very real and achievable. You did be surprise how good it is when u seriously look for it.

I recommend u go with magnet wire as well for speaker cable. Dirt cheap by hifi standard. Someone said,this is very much u see at anticable~

What are you getting?

Just heard my friend's Usher S250... going for less than rm1k used, really amazing sound for the money. Will keep you happy for a few years until you save up for something upmarket. But this is an unpretentious speaker with great potential in my humble opinion. Later you can add on a sub if you want to augment the bass (which is actually very decent to begin with for such a small footprint.).

If you can get your hands on a Cyrus 1 or 2, preferably a Cyrus 2 ......

The Cyrus 1 & 2 are classics. It trounced many more expensive amps when it was released in the 80's and can still hold its own against some modern amps.

You will need to re-cap some capacitors to bring the amp back to its best. I have both the Cyrus 1 & 2, both re-capped.

I would split your budget between an amp and DAC unless you have a separate budget for DAC.

Audiolab amp, unless you purchase a used one, you will not be able to get one below RM2K.

Safest and most neutral sounding would be Marantz. If you want to split between DAC and amp, go for Marantz PM5004 with 40 wpc for about RM1100 and get a Musical Fidelity V-DAC II for about RM750. RM150 for a decent speaker cable. Or if its just amp you want, go for the Marantz bigger brother PM6004 for about RM1800.

Cambridge Audio is a bit laid back to me. But ANy of the Azur series would be a good option too.

No comment on Rotel though.

Dont forget to audition the amps.

Ok, thanks guys for the suggestions. Much appreciated.
I was thinking of CA Azur series but i want to know, made in china stereo amp compare with Japan, UK or US made amp, any different in SQ output?
I am sure there would be in some ways.
Do enlighten me if you have such experoence . Thanks

mikeyz wrote:Ok, thanks guys for the suggestions. Much appreciated.
I was thinking of CA Azur series but i want to know, made in china stereo amp compare with Japan, UK or US made amp, any different in SQ output?
I am sure there would be in some ways.
Do enlighten me if you have such experoence . Thanks

If you understand how amp work, it is basically a supply circuit to drive the load. My experience with different amps (Parasound, ATI, Emerald Physic, etc... ) shows little noticeable differences, except that those that have more load result in more punchy bass (this is making sense right?).

Talk about SQ, you need to look at what you have in your audio chain. The DAC matter, your preamp matter and your speaker and listening matter the most.

There is no answer to tell you which sound better, you just need to experience it yourself.

I would definitely advice you to go into direction of dac->preamp->poweramp, and avoid at all cost the integrated amp if budget is permitted.

sph wrote:If you can get your hands on a Cyrus 1 or 2, preferably a Cyrus 2 ......

The Cyrus 1 & 2 are classics. It trounced many more expensive amps when it was released in the 80's and can still hold its own against some modern amps.

You will need to re-cap some capacitors to bring the amp back to its best. I have both the Cyrus 1 & 2, both re-capped.

We know electronic parts deteriorate along time. When you recap did you recap other parts as well?

How do you know the recapped one still sound the same as what it intends to sounds 30 years ago?

HiFiFreak wrote:

sph wrote:If you can get your hands on a Cyrus 1 or 2, preferably a Cyrus 2 ......

The Cyrus 1 & 2 are classics. It trounced many more expensive amps when it was released in the 80's and can still hold its own against some modern amps.

You will need to re-cap some capacitors to bring the amp back to its best. I have both the Cyrus 1 & 2, both re-capped.

We know electronic parts deteriorate along time. When you recap did you recap other parts as well?

How do you know the recapped one still sound the same as what it intends to sounds 30 years ago?

Recapping the critical parts are usually along the mains PSU and the smaller caps near the transistors.
A recapped amp will sound fresher and clearer - so it's surely not sounding the same as it was 30 yrs ago. And my personal choice is of course a recapped amp rather than a 30 yrs ago signature.


cheers.

6 hour in the running of the topping tp60 class D amp. Rm600 only. 8ohm into 50 watts. Sound surprisingly good for the price. It seems all the hype about this little fellow is true. Very natural sounding. Rival the clarity of exposure 2010s2. Too early to tell how it will compare to my exposure. Sell by a guy name eric in lowyat website. Very good service.

adrian4454 wrote:6 hour in the running of the topping tp60 class D amp. Rm600 only. 8ohm into 50 watts. Sound surprisingly good for the price. It seems all the hype about this little fellow is true. Very natural sounding. Rival the clarity of exposure 2010s2. Too early to tell how it will compare to my exposure. Sell by a guy name eric in lowyat website. Very good service.

The only complaint is it is not remote-controlled. Enjoy your amp.

Can get NAD or Marantz for a start.

For DAC can get either CA, arcam or Beresford.

Amp-NAD3020i- Best AMP[ light-weight category] almost as good as Naim Nait 1

CD Player- Marantz CD40 [Best Reliability, fast tracking,Strong laser,Musical].lastly plenty room for modification on par with highEND player after modding.

You dont need any DAC in-order to sound good. Pay attention to the spk placement/positioning and read my "No Money No Talk" topic. Use coin tweak to "release" the potential on those componets i have listed above.

Good luck.Welcome learning.

If you're willing to leave the world of passive speakers and jump straight to active speakers, then take a look at some studio active speakers. Cheaper and much better than 'legacy' passive speakers needing amps, speakers, cables, nonsense, etc. All you need is a source - try www.mmo.net.my and view Behringers, KRK, M-audio. Just type speakers at the search of that website and view the models and the prices. I understand there is also another studio store in Berjaya Mall. Studio equipment is cheaper because they sell more whereas the Hi Fi market is smaller,so they sell for more (Exclusivity, hype, etc). But the studio market is where it all (recordings) begins and so the accuracy is important.

Noticed you are looking at the Mac Mini as a source - highly recommended (have the same) , just make a search and you will see why. PM me if you need more info to set up and why I chose that path.