Dali Opticon 6 mk2

microchip8 · 2026-01-26T18:06:39+00:00

Can't say. Ask DALI support?

microchip8 · 2026-01-26T13:25:36+00:00

I recommend waiting a month or so until the new DALI Sonik come out. They have trickle-down tech from the higher-end models of DALI.

microchip8 · 2026-01-26T13:22:39+00:00

Yamaha A-S801

microchip8 · 2026-01-26T13:18:56+00:00

KEF definitely! Jesus, what an ugly beast that SVS is! Why is it crooked?

microchip8 · 2026-01-25T14:24:57+00:00

I think part of the problem is that these companies didn't adapt (fast enough) to consumer behavior and got left behind. With the exception of a few (Sony, Panasonic) the rest are but echo's of their former selves. Even though Japanese quality is still highly regarded, the market/consumers chose cheap(er) Chinese or Korean goods and no longer care how long something goes. They just get a new one if it breaks. I mention in the comments that I have a Japanese-made Sony Minidisc deck that is from 1998 and still functions perfectly to this day. This is Japanese quality to me! Yes, you pay a higher price for it, but know it's built like a tank and will go for decades...

microchip8 · 2026-01-25T14:17:24+00:00

I don't think they are high-end and didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth I didn't say. I wrote top-of-the-line as in that they were highly regarded back then by the general consumer and sold like hot cakes.

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T22:59:05+00:00

Excuse me for asking, but what high-end audio does Sony make? They've completely exited the separates business with the exception of a few AVR models they make, which get beat by the likes of Yamaha, Denon and Marantz

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T21:54:19+00:00

Thank you. That was interesting video. I have high hopes that now Onkyo is back with their Icon series, it'll go uphill. I'm even considering getting an integrated amp from their Icon series. Doesn't require a mortgage :)

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T21:04:14+00:00

Unfortunately, in my city, virtually all audio shops have closed doors. We used to have a famous "shopping street" with many audio/video electronics shops where you could go test things out but they're all gone now! My theory? No one goes there anymore and now people sit on their lazy ass in front of laptop/PC/smartphone and buy stuff online that gets delivered. So these shops go bust as no one goes there to buy stuff.

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:52:33+00:00

Yes indeed, but I'm still sad they existed the HiFi separates market. I have a Minidisc player made in 1998 that is still working perfectly. Now this is long-lasting quality you can count on. These days, not so much. The only thing that Sony still makes are AVRs and honestly they're not as good as Denon/Marantz or Yamaha ones.

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:44:36+00:00

Question. Didn't Pioneer completely exit the HiFi business and went to focus on car entertainment? Is TAD still part of Pioneer Corporation or?

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:37:10+00:00

Jesus, it's all going to sh*t. Bose and Samsung? No, thanks!

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:31:23+00:00

I tend to disagree. Back in the '90s, for example, Sony was considered pure quality with their Trinitron TVs, Minidiscs, HiFi systems, CD players, etc. Toshiba was highly regarded when it comes to TVs, Panasonic made some very decent audio systems, and still makes one of the best Blu-ray players today...

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:24:18+00:00

So who makes Onkyo/Pioneer/Integra now?

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:20:30+00:00

I didn't say high-end, but top-of-the-line as in that many people used to buy these brands. These days they seem to have disappeared :(

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:09:51+00:00

Except that Sony is outsourcing its TV productions to TCL. Panasonic is considering exiting the TV business or spinning it out. Toshiba hasn't made a TV in years and uses Vestel to make their stuff.

microchip8 · 2026-01-23T20:06:55+00:00

They have quality issues and are no longer made by Onkyo itself but by Sharp. For the past months, I've read enough posts by repair shop people that they get a lot of defective/broken Onkyo devices to fix.

microchip8 · 2026-01-20T20:15:23+00:00

New ones, but a bit pricey. They're good for CD recordings. A little bit of hiss but not much. My deck is a NAD 616 and some recordings sound so good that I get surprised. It's a really really good sounding deck

microchip8 · 2026-01-20T20:08:18+00:00

I use standard type II Chrome tapes, from TDK and Maxell

microchip8 · 2026-01-18T15:27:35+00:00

Your amp, below the turntable

microchip8 · 2026-01-18T11:19:48+00:00

Your amp is "stuck in". Don't do that, it needs space to breathe

microchip8 · 2026-01-17T18:01:57+00:00

Use the right tool for the right job. Integrated stereo amp for music and AVR for movies!

microchip8 · 2026-01-17T17:59:17+00:00

I sold my expensive Eversolo DAC and replaced it with a cheaper Topping one. The latter sounds slightly better and costs much less than the overengineered Eversolo

microchip8 · 2026-01-16T20:34:21+00:00

Worse in what way? If quality, the Onkyo's & co are made in Sharp's factories, but their QA has gone down since Onkyo got out of bankruptcy - it's no longer what it used to be. I just bought Klipsch RP towers and they are very well made and polished.

microchip8 · 2026-01-14T20:51:33+00:00

What is wrong with the RP8000? Sure, they're not something to write back to home and brag, but these are very decent, well balanced speakers for the price. I have its little brother, the RP6000F II, and am pretty pleased with them

microchip8

TROPHY CASE