RimBlock

IT / computer stuff is around the same price here as buying from the US especially if you include shipping and import tax etc. Until recently Bluray PC drives were much cheaper from the US than here but the market in Singapore is now catching up and whilst they are still cheaper in the US the price difference is becoming less and less. You can always check out newegg.com or Amazon.com for deals though. Home theatre is cheaper in some areas but you have to pay shipping for either big or heavy or both which can work out expensive. A amplifier I am looking at I can get for S$400 second hand in the UK but shipping the 25KG bulk comes in at around S$380 inc tax. If I can find one then I have seen them for 500-600 locally second hand, it is just finding one. If buying any big ticket items then check out the shipping and warranty. Some manufacturers offer world wide service whilst some do not. When I first started looking, the projector I bought was quoted around 4k. I could get it from the US for around 2.3k. Downside, no local warranty and the issues if there was any problems during shipping (broken bulb would cost S$400+ to replace) could eat up the price difference quite quickly. Bluray movies as we have mentioned are a lot cheaper for the most part importing. DVDs / CDs are around the same price and not really worth doing unless you are looking for something not easily available locally. The other big advantage of importing is the amazing choice available. The US and UK are big for internet shopping and to be honest I was very surprised to see that Singapore had not embraced the concept from a sellers point from view. They could get their products out there, people can order and get delivered straight to their door, prices are available to save wasting trips all over the island but people can still visit showrooms. Here shops still seem to rely on the power of the sales person rather than great prices and the item selling itself. If someone was willing to get the ball rolling (probably an IT company from Sim Lim) and do it properly, as most web store attempts here are half hearted and not very intuitive or regularly updated for stock and offers at the moment, then they could make a killing with sales whilst seriously cutting costs. Back in the UK I used to get all my food shopping delivered apart from the standard day to day stuff I would pick-up on the way home. Saved so much time, browse on-line and choose, it then arrives at your door. No more clutter in the isles, no more inconsiderate people blocking your way, no more big queues for the tills. Your fruit and veg may not be the absolute best you could get if you went yourself but it should always be acceptable and if you were really fussy then you go shopping for those and get the rest delivered. I believe the supermarkets are catching on with this now but last time I looked only deliver during working hours . They used to do this in the UK. It was not until they expanded to out of working hours that it really took off. Anyway ..... Amazon (US or UK), newegg.com, could try kmart and sears from the US too although I do not know if they deliver and have never used them myself. Ebay (US & UK) is also great but you need to be a little more cautious. I was also shocked to discover that Amazon also has a 'Health and Wellness' section with items of, how shall we put this, an intimate nature which are significantly less than those bough locally err, or so I am told . Bare in mind though that some things may be cheaper locally. Still shop around here as well. RB

Thanks Kobelala, We used Supreme (mid level Malaysian material). The reason for this was that the material is sourced locally and so has better tolerances for the humid environment in Singapore. We have a couple of dents in the flooring, one where I dropped a tool and another from an unknown source. Rather than cut out the section and replace, the people were able to fill the small dent and I now cannot see it without getting on my hands and knees. The other one still needs to be sorted out. My wife is a little concerned as it is not as tough as tiles but being used to carpet and wooden floors where I come from I find it a lot more appealing. It is also a lot softer for two kids bouncing around all over the place and a new one due in a couple of months now. We chose Raffles Oak for downstairs and Bali Chengal for upstairs. Both are under the 'Executive' selection on the Supreme website here. Our quote was 5.8k for up and down stairs overlaid over the existing tiles (est 430 sqft). The original laminate cost about 1k to have removed. It does require a bit of different care so dusting using a cloth flat bottomed mop or very light mopping with a damp not wet mop and then drying with a cloth. If you are not careful, excess liquid on the laminate may penetrate the joints and cause the floor to bow along the long edges giving the wave type effect we saw when we bought the place from the previous owner. We suspect their maid mopped the floor as you would a tile floor. We use a duster like this and a mop like this. Both were bought from NTUC and made by 3m IIRC. Cheers RB

Take a picture of the gate handle / lock and the door handle / lock and will see if I can think of anything to help. RB

One other thing that may be worth noting and which I am pretty bad at (I blame my British upbringing) is that when you audition you are under no obligation to purchase. Take your time, get away from the shop and get a coffee or something and think it over before laying down the cash. Do some backup research (bring a laptop and find a coffee bean or starbucks etc) and also ask your self if you need to spend all that money or if the level below cash wise is still good enough. It may also be worth looking at the items resale value as well just in case you want to upgrade later. Go listen as many times as you want to as much kit as you can and pay when you have the choice you are happy with. Don't think you are putting the shops out by going to multiple demos as they are charging you int he price of the equipment. The projector I bough was 75% higher than the cost of buying and importing from the US. Luckily the price dropped just beofre I bought as a new model was coming out. RB

Will come back on this tomorrow Drexter as family life has me away from the computer most of the weekends and evenings. I work on computers so ........ well I will just leave it at that . RB

Not the Yammy AV range. A number of lower end bluray and dvd players also come hard wired. I agree. Go listen and buy but be aware there is no scientific basis for any perceived change. The problem is that you were not originally suggesting for people to go and try but telling them that they are better so just get one. I have nothing to argue about if you are now suggesting people should go listen and choose for themselves. Maybe you would like to post up your top ten cds for demoing now in the other thread and could post your equipment. I will start another equipment thread for members to list their systems tomorrow. Would be interested to see both from you especially considering your statement on the demo music thread...... Donald Fagon and Tracy Chapman are not pop music . If you only listen to classical they you may be forgiven for that mistake though as you must be too old to know any better . RB

No argument there. There are subtle differences as exhibited by people testing the Yammy 667/Onkyo 608 and the Denon (forget the model). I understand your point about good low end companies not being the best at he high end as good high end companies generally concentrate on that end of the market and not the broad spectrum of the whole market. I do not agree that companies should be disregarded solely on the nationality of the owners or place of manufacture. The equipment should be purchased based on listening and which equipment give the sound the listener may like. Some may prefer the sound you like... others may prefer what I like... others still may prefer something else. As I have tried to emphasize, choose a few setups and try them. Buy what you (the buyer) likes best regardless of name or what others tell you. Simple really. RB

I would agree but it needs to be a blind test and preferably not a t a shop whos interest is in selling something to you. Of course the other issue is that most low to mid end HiFi has directly wired power cables. I know the mid to lower Yamaha AV amps do which makes it hard to do. The test is better done at home if possible with borrowed cables like I did for HDMI cables showing there is no difference for the average user regardless of price. You say go listen, I agree. You say there is a difference, I say from a scientific and expert opinion there isn't. This should not stop people testing for themselves by any means. The problem is arranging a blind non subjective test, i.e. measuring the output scientifically rather than just listening which is open to perceptional influences. RB

AVS forums view on the subject here. Bottom line, whatever the fuse is made from it is still connecting to old crappy bits of metal in the plug. The last post I like the best in that thread... Another thread from the same source on expensive power cables. This one includes the response from Chris Russel of Bryston. Favorite quote from that one, apart from Chris Russels reply is; Lots more interesting threads on tweaks here. People will believe what they want especially when they have spent a lot of money. I prefer to believe in science, respected authorities and my own experience. Others prefer voodoo to justify spending money. RB

Plenty of choice, take a look back over the last 4-5 pages of recommendations others have had made to them and their thoughts after listening to them. FKN is in a world of his own and will steer people to his anti-British views and HiFi vooddoo tweaks without being able to provide any from of evidence. Check the suggestion back in the thread and listen fro yourself. Buy what you like and not what internet hifi experts tell you that you must like. RB

So said the person who claims the leading industry experts are wrong and he is right, spouts nonsense, by their own admission believes in voodo special equipment tweeks that have no basis in science. I speak from experience and knowledge provided by industry leading experts citing evidence to my positions with all I say. You speak from your head. Hmm, not much more to be said really. Really a green pen affecting a digital bitstream to make the high end sound better. Fabulous. As you stated here Taken from Snopes (the hoax identification website) Deaf by your your definition, and we all know how dodgy they are by your postings here, but at least I am not stupid enough to fall for that. RB

Or have equipment with a reasonable power stage, it seems unlike FKN. Of course the voodoo power cables he uses magically fix any issues with house wiring using non special cable and SP Services common electrical cables to the power station. Test for yourselves by all means but use your head and think why leading experts state that any difference is a placebo and produced in the listeners mind and not from the equipment. Check out the "top ten myths thread" for more info and documented links. By their evidence, any one who perceives any big difference either needs better equipment or more than their ears tested. I also hope that FKN is not suggesting that people should open their units and hard wire a new super power cable in as a lot of low to mid end equipment has hard wired power cables. That would be a very bad idea. You would invalidate your warranty and could invalidate your life if done incorrectly. RB

And I see you are putting your mouth out there again without any value. No facts, beyond you aren't they, no contribution, no point to your post as usual. Again you show your ability to state rubbish. So any system will play this music the same huh... regardless of what power cable, fuses, green marker which all make so much difference according to you. You state myth as fact then you contradict yourself here. Ludicrous comments, pointless rubbish statements, no evidence, no contribution to the thread, waste of time. Were you drunk when you wrote that ? At least you are consistent. Congratulations. RB

Only to some people. The X-Files tag line springs to mind "I want to believe" where these people come to mind. Then I would hate to think what rubbish you were using in the first place or how poorly designed your amp was to not be able to handle receiving the current over standard cables. If the engineer was telling you that all cables were the same then he should have gone back to school in the first place. They are not the same but any differences they make would be inconsequential in a reasonable amp with a reasonable power stage. The fact is I am not suggesting anyone should not try, only that it is a commonly accepted truth that they make minimal to no difference among experts and any difference perceived is generally in the mind of the listener. If someone tries them and thinks the change is enough to warrant the price then who am I to stop them spending their money. I can only pass on documented evidence from people considered experts in the field, unlike you. If you were able to provide some documented evidence rather than just spouting this stuff and expecting everyone to ignorantly lap it up then you would have a whole lot more credibility. You by your own admittance cannot explain how these myths you believe work actually work, just that you are sure they do. Like me telling everyone a Honda Civic goes faster than a Porche if I polish the rubber hoses so they can reflect more heat in the engine. Car expert say it is not so but I still state it as fact. Anyway, if you believe a word of this then go try for yourself people. If it sounds better and you are willing to pay the price then there is nothing wrong with that. Most of the rest of the worlds experts in the field believe you wont from a technical Voodoo free point of view. Rb

Sorry hentamkings & Drexter but I have to run now as I am seeing Sucker Punch tonight with my oldest son . Have a browse through the thread as others have spent around the same amounts (last 4 or so pages should do) so that will give some guide. Will try to post over the weekend if I get a chance. Regards RB

Again, neubie hit the nail on the head... Any old rubbish cable from the power station to your door.... any old power cable to your wall socket..... standard power cable to your amp... rubbish sound... Any old rubbish cable from the power station to your door.... any old power cable to your wall socket..... expensive magic power cable to your amp... great improvement... I love this picture and it just seemed so appropriate. Look, I have no doubt you believe what you are saying but you cannot backup anything you state and there are numerous recognised experts and users who disagree with you. If you think that drawing a green line around your CDs makes them sound better then good for you. Same for the other things you state as true which we have evidence of not being so. You are not hurting anyone else so enjoy the benefits of your green marker or expansive speaker cables and power cords. My only issue is when you try to convince others that these myths are true and the others take what you say as fact. There is no reason others cannot try what you suggest but any improvements according to scientific testing indicate that the difference is with the users own perception rather than an actual change. RB

I will ignore this on the assumption you have got bi-wire and bi-amp mixed up. So you are saying that putting a line of green marker around a CD will not just make the reading of the CD more accurate but it will even improve the original data on the disc but only on the treble. The green pen makes the laser somehow read the digital 1s and 0s laid on the disc, assess which ones need improving for better treble, amend them and then pass the amended digital information to the CD player. I suspect you are also very confused as to how CDs and the reading mechanisms of CD players work. The information on a CD is digital and the reading process has only two states, read or fail. The read data has only two states, 1 or 0. A green pen has not been proven to affect the second state that I am aware of. Snopes article on the subject (yep the urban legend site) here. Another article on Toms Hardware tracking the history back to the first mention recorded being confirmed as a hoax here. The other obvious question would be, why are audiophile recordings not edged in green as standard. If it has such a big quality difference and is so cheap to implement then why do all the CDs currently sold not have a green edge ? Again, I will jump this one as I believe you have the terms mixed up (hopefully). So you prefer the warm sound of tube amps then clearly. RB

A very good article from on speaker cable by Roger Russell... Who is Roger Russell ?? Enjoy RB

Should have no issues with that. Let me know nearer the time . RB

ok, so far I count 4 myths on this and the spec me a system thread. 1. Electrical conditioning - "AC power cord REALLY is the MOST important cable in the system". 2. Bi-wiring - "If you biwire your speakers (assuming they're not crap) and you can't hear any difference...............either you're not a good listener or you need to see an ear doctor.................." 3. Golden ear - "If you biwire your speakers (assuming they're not crap) and you can't hear any difference...............either you're not a good listener or you need to see an ear doctor.................." 4. The cable lie - "just put the money into better american cables. " I am assuming you are not getting bi-amp and bi-wire mixed up although it seems like you may be. Which one, do you believe, takes two cables from a single amp output ? Need more time on this but have a meeting now. Back later. RB

Sure. So a fair amount of thought has been put in to it. What the previous owners of our place did and we kept is put the living room down lights on three switches so any one switch only turns on 1/3 or the lights but all three can be used for all of them. For us, 1/3 is usually enough but we do have around 10 lights in a 5mtr long living area (4x2 for the sides and an extra 2 front and back) which we didn't change but will in the future. RB

Haha, wise as in old . Google is really a great tool if you know the terms to search for. RB

From Wikipedia on Bluray Singapore is under the same region as the US. Note, the UK is in a different region. To my knowledge, Oppo is the only player manufacturer that is not enforcing the Bluray region codes. Unless something has recently changed, all other manufacturers lock the players to a code by requirement of the Bluray Disc Assocciation. Again from the same source... I try to send my discs over 3 at a time as the price does not seem to change much until after that number but play with the figures in the Borderlinx and vPost cost estimators. Some suppliers may be able to deliver direct for less but some will not deliver outside of their country (or ouside of Europe in the case of the UK). Note also that quite a few UK places require a UK credit card be used for purchases and the items are only sent to the credit card holders address in the UK. The Borderlinx Concierge (presumably vPost has this too) should get round this issue as they buy the item for you with their card then cross charge your card (or most likely charge you then buy). RB

I had quite a lot of stuff sent from the UK to Singapore when I moved here 4.5 years ago including around 120 DVDs. The only box that was opened by customs was the one with my books in it. I have read reports of discs being confiscated by Singapore customs if they happen to check the packages but that is very unusual for a few discs. If you bring in 10+ then the chances of being checked will probably rise. None of my stuff has been stopped by customs yet. RB

Just out of interest, have the lighting points, especially for spot lights been simulated for you. I understand that some places can give an idea of how much light you would need for a specific result. A google may help as I have no more info though . The reason I ask is that we have far too many spotlights in or lightbox than is needed and it is common for people to over spec what they require. Would have though you could get away with 6 in the living area saving running costs. RB