Beginner need suggestion on home stereo setup

Hi recruiter,

Thank you for your recommendation. I've also heard some good and bad about both the M1DAC and Rega DAC. Some says that the M1DAC is just like the Arcam DAC = boring, flat. And some says that the Rega lack of details in certain situation. Which is why i get confused lol. I've seen a lot positive review of Rega DAC but i'm not sure those reviews are based on what sort of musics the experts listening. I've also seen a couple of negative review for the Arcam rDac. Would you mind how do you enjoy your M1DAC ? with what music that you listen to ? just for references see if there is anything similar in between of our likes :) 

Thank you

I certainly dont agree with the flat/boring commenst re the Arcam rDAC or the Mf M1DAC. Both are very good indeed and certainly open up the soundstage to a great level. Just I found the M1DAC had better synergy with my system & musical tastes plus I think it looks cool too haha

I listen to all sorts; raning from Metallica, Iron Maiden & System of a Down to Morcheeba, Hed Kandi, The XX, LateNight Tales compelations to electronic music like Daft Punk, Mount Kimbie, Flume, Layo & Bushwacka etc... I also listen to older music like Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole/Dean Martin, Bonzo Dog, Jethro Tull etc...

For my tastes the Rega DAC didnt do as well as the MF or Arcam DAC but it still did sound very good. A very good DAC, from the home demo's I did, was the Emotiva XDA1. It's a belter and well worth listening to if you can!

I only really went for the MF M1DAC because I was offered it at a silly price!

Hi recruiter,

Not sure why i've seen such comments on the DAC that mentioned above lol.

Indeed !!! The M1DAC does looks cool ! lol and that's one of the reason why i want to make sure it's worth picking

And i like Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole/Dean Martin too

I'll check the Emotiva XDA1 out, thanks for the recommendation

And i just realise that the equipments on my shortlist does not have any HDMI input ... sigh

Why do you need HDMI?

This is all stereo/hifi so it wont have visual connectivity etc...

Cause i was thinking how am i gonna connect my PS3 for cinema purpose to the system. Sorry i don't have a clue what i'm saying.

I guess i'm suppose to connect the visual with HDMI to the TV and the original AV lead (red/white) to the amp. Not sure if thats the proper or best solution or not.

I'd say that's about right

Not sure on your TV's outputs but you could connect that to the DAC as well then into your stereo amp for a better sound

Didn't know that will work. I was worry that someone gonna slap me when i ask such a stupid question lol. I'm too noob with HiFI T.T lol But i'm well prepare so that i can get answer for that lol. Thanks for the tips recruiter

Someone has told me the combination setup in my list does not get the right synergy and will not achieve a good sound results. And i was told to look for a modest amp instead. Any thoughts?

I will strongly suggest you to demo, demo, demo until you don't get the right combination and the sound you are looking for. Keep an open mind and start demoing whatever is available, you might come across pleasant surprises. Regarding what people say/write, you will soon learn that you won't find consensus all the time. Just try to get suggestions/short list on forums and then get out and experience yourself. Have fun

Hi I have an m6i and I love it the m3i is very much like the m6i it will control your speakers and give a big sound stage you could also try the roksan caspian amp or the roksan kandy or the leema pulse all very good amps the best thing to do if possible is have some amps on a home dem as they do tend to sound different  in the dealers I like your avatar   looks like a garrard 301 I could be wrong 

Thanks for your advice. Will do, that's why i'm trying to make a shortlist from forum Cheers 

Hello toyota man,

Thanks for your feedback :) 

I've heard the m6i is much better than the m3i in all perspective. I've also seen a lot positive reviews on the Roksan Kandy and the leema pulse (indeed it's a fantastic amp unfortunately it's beyond my budget at current state T.T). I will definitely go for an audition some time soon, just want to confirm a couple things before walk into the store for demo. I want to make sure the combination on my shortlist (Dynaudio x12/X16 or Monitor audio RX2 with the other components mentioned above) have a good synergy Hopefully someone could guide me through on that cause i'm still far from understand that.

Thanks for liking my avatar ! actually i'm not sure what it was, i simply grab the picture from somewhere else but i couldn't remember where it from lol. sorry.

Cheers !

I was trying to get an audition with the Dyn x12 with the m3i and m1dac couple days ago unfortunately the local store that i visited does not have any stocks on the floor. So i had a demo with the Dyn focus 160 and DM 2/6 instead with the m3i and m1dac. The focus 160 sound amazingly smooth, full and details. For certain type of musics the bass might sounds a bit low but i think that won't be an issue for most of the types of musics that i listen to. As for the DM2/6 it was a great set of speakers as well but compare with the focus 160 it was like day and night. 

By comparing the DM2/6 with the MA RX1 that i've listened before. I reckon the RX1 does brought a lot of excitement when it first play. But overall, i reckon the DM2/6 will brings more comfort to me and i found that the RX1 is a bit more bright and will fatigue for hours of listen. By saying that i do not mean RX1 was bad, it just my personal perferences of listen. Both are good and quality speakers. Besides, my judgement could be inaccurate as the source and settings that i listen on RX1 and DM2/6 are differences.

Cheers

Hello, nice reading your experience. I would suggest you to visit all different shops available and start demoing stuff...this is the best way to get a personal view on hi-fi equipment and how each component will match other components. Try to get detached from what other people/reviews say about sinergy and perfect matching and develop your own point of view...

I heard a couple of times the M6i and I find one of the best solid state for the money of course. If the budget could be stretched I think you should consider this one also. 

EDIT: also...since you like a lot of music I love also...never thought about a tube amp? Icon Audio and Mastersound make both very good and affordable amplifiers. I heard the small one from Mastersound (The Due Venti) and every time impressed me so much... 

I would wait until you move as some speakers are fussy about placement, if you need to put near a wall etc. Yes get some demos, best to go 2 or 3 times. The Rega DAC and amp and speakers I will be looking at next. That will push over your budget by about £200. Don't forget stands and cables they will be £100+, you may get cables thrown free sometimes. No need for a sub esp. in an apartment.