My first venture into better quality listening is when my friend introduce me to a Sennheiser headphone. It is the HD 595 model. It changed my perception about the quality of music that we listen to. Since then I started buying CDs to get that extra quality. I was satisfied for 2 years or so.
Until recent months, I started wondering is there something more out there that could improve my headphone? I stumble upon a brand call Ibasso in low yat forum. Ibasso specializes in making portable headphone amplifier. I have to say the D4 mamba I got later is really good at making your music having better separation between vocal and musical instruments. Overall sound quality has been improved. The difference is really quite clear.
You cannot trust the quality of your music coming out from a laptop unless you have a good enough sound card. What Ibasso can do is act as another sound card and filter out the music through USB and the DAC on board will convert it to analog. Coupled with another Creek OBH-11 headphone amp and my headphone setup is pretty much complete.
The funny thing when you venture into something new is you will spend quite a bit before settling down. I went and check out mini hi-fi as well. That had to hurt as far as money is concerned but I was quite satisfied with the unit I bought. The Denon D-M37 coupled with a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 loudspeakers is really breathtaking. I have to thank my friend and various people in other forums for the advice. The bass surprised me the most. I guess headphones can't really do bass as good as loudspeakers.
I did made some unwise decision but I won't talk about it here. One lesson I got out of buying hi-fi is to be patient, test more systems and go to more shops. There are better prices out there most of the time. There are many factors in choosing a system since sound can be quite subjective. Many components will also effect the outcome so one must choose carefully. Denon CD Receiver RCD-M37
I have gather a few place here you can check out if you, like me is just starting to get into the realm of hi-fi.
-The Hi-Fi shop 1 Utama (New Wing)
The uncle in this shop is quite friendly and he will give good price. Most of the time I just wait for him if he is not in as I am not so fond of his assistant. He carries quite a lot of brand, Denon, Marantz and so on. I consider his shop comfortable.
-Acoustique Systems Amcorp Mall (First floor)
I have only been here once after looking around in low yat forum. This shop offer good price, usually can be RM100 cheaper than some hi-fi shops around KL. I got my Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 here at RM1100 while Desa in Low Yat plaza offer me RM1200. Since I live in PJ, this saves me time going down KL while this shop is in Amcorp mall. This shop however is small and crowded. Two to three people inside and you will find it hard to walk around. However I have only been here once so I guess my first impression of this shop will not be fair.
You can also check out a blog call Hi-Fi avenue for reviews of some hi-fi and news about AV shows and so on. A pretty good blog.
