Message from me

Hi, its just my modest system that I have used and how the system evolved over the years since 1983. Most of the recently gears are bought used for better value. They were highly regarded in those days, well built and reliable and functions perfectly after more than a decade.

If you wish to comment or post your views in this blog, please send email to : changleh@gmail.com and I will reply to you.

Thank you for reading and happy posting.


Chang LH

REL Q100E subwoofer (SOLD)

12" sealed box subwoofer with 100W RMS built in amplifier. Complete with Neutrik Speakon connections. Can be driven simultaneously with 'high' level and 'low' level inputs. Rock solid bass with punch and extension. Ideal for both home theatre and audio use. Low price but amp power and control lacking.

Apogee Centaur Minor speakers (SOLD)

Apogee Centaur Minor ribbon hybrid speakers for sale. Classic Apogee transparent sound no colourations. Very good condition, ribbons in excellent condition, no waves, perfectly smooth and straight. 6 ohms easy to drive with 89dB sensitivity. Unit is complete with original Apogee stands. Weight - 60lbs each side. Height : 1.2m. Partnered with the Dared VP845 tube amp, the highs and mid range is perfect for my taste but the bass and mid bass sounds too boxy and booming to me, hence sold them and 'upgraded' to Apogee minigrand (Apogee Stage with sub woofer).

Technics SU-A90 Mk2 Integrated Amp

Very good condition Integrated Amp from Technics, rated 90W RMS per channel into 8 ohms. Virtual battery design by Technics. Complete with full function infra red remote control. Has phono MM/MC included.

Now used as 3rd system in my bedroom to drive the Celestion SL600s.

Dared VP845 tube integrated amp (SOLD)

Dared VP845 tube integrated amp in very good condition. 2007 model with latest improvements and gold plated tube sockets. Only minor scratch on solid aluminium knobs. Fully functional, pure class A single ended design. Good transformers used : weighs about 80lbs (38kgs). New driver and preamp tubes (Tungsols) 12AX7 and SN (4 pieces). Can be further upgraded to 845B or 845M (metal plate) tubes.

Best of both worlds - single ended sound with sufficient power (35W rms) to drive most speakers. Sold to a local guy who wants to upgrade to NOS 845 tubes or from a tube maker KR - expensive tubes.

Celestion SL600 speakers

Used pair of Celestion SL600 speakers without woofer front plate. Top speakers from the 1980s. Condition 7/10
Warm sweet sounding - sensitivity 84dB/watt.
Full aluminium honeycomb enclosure. Now used only occasionally - in the bedroom. Still full of warmth especially female voices played through it, but not extended at both ends of the frequency range.

Marantz CD7300 cd player (SOLD)

Marantz CD7300 cdp made in JAPAN, not china. Good review and excellent sounding with HDAM outputs. CD Text display, plays MP3 as well as CDR. It was sold to the guy who purchased my Musical Fidelity integrated amp. I sold it with the intention to upgrade to a new Marantz SA15 cdp but it didn't materialise after auditioning.

In its place I very much later bought a used TEAC VRDS-10 and used as a cd transport. And got a Promitheus Audio DAC, together costing less than the new Marantz SA15. But then it doesn't play SACDs - about the only disadvantage, sonically I think it betters the Marantz.

Arcaydis AK3 speakers

British made Arcaydis AK3 floorstanding speakers, rated 5 star by Hifi magazine. Real wood verneer finish. 6.5 inch woofer - 150W power handling.

Now used as part of my home theatre system - sigh...

Bose Acoustimas 5 speakers (SOLD)

BOSE Acoustimas 5 Mk II speakers in good condition - 7/10
2 satellite cube speakers and a bass main unit, high power handling capability.

Sold to a Johor guy who must be a great BOSE fan.

Dynavector Karat 23RS MC cartridge (SOLD)

MC cartridge in good condition. Hardly used. Rated 7/10 due to age only.

Sold in 2008 on eBay for USD180. Now I misses it and new Dynavectors like 17D3 is so expensive, even used.

Musical Fidelity B200 integrated amp (SOLD)

Musical Fidelity integrated amp in good condition. Warm sweet sounding with similar circuitry as the famed A1 integrated amp.

240V version, rated 60W RMS per channel, typical 78W RMS power. Sold to a local guy from Damansara.

My audio system

To begin with, my system since June 2008 comprises :

Analogue Source : Linn Sondek LP12/Linn Basik LVX

Phonostage : NAD PP2

Digital Source : pioneer dvd player

Digital I/C : Xindak FD-1

DAC : Promitheus Audio DAC

Interconnect : DIY pure silver 0.6mm terminated Eichmann bullets
Pre Amp : Conrad Johnson PV-14

Power Amp : Classe Audio DR-9

Interconnect : QED Silver Spiral

Speakers : Apogee Mini Grand (Stage only used)

Speaker cables : QED X-Tube bi-wire