Well, I got the Opera Reference 5.5 in the end. It's a great piece of kit!
Now I want more, hehehe. The R5.5 (mk2) is 300B powered, and has nice bias adjustments on the front. Very convenient.
However, obviously I also want 845s! Just so I have something different, in case I feel liek a change
So I am still considering MingDa. I can probably get MC845-C's (845 mono blocks) plus an MC-7R (pre-amp) for about 12k RMB. However, now I know the build quality et al of the consonance, I'm wondering if it's worth saving up some extra cash and go for the Consonance Opera Reference 9.9, which is a dual monoblock using 845s. Again gorgeous pieces of kit, but this one also needs a good pre-amp. So if I go for the R9.9's plus pre-amp from same brand, that sets me back 30k RMB! Whilst the MingDa set would set me back just 12k RMB, quite a difference!
Another point I'd like to bring up is: Speaker choice.
What speakers should I get using the R5.5? With 18W I can imagine I need quite sensitive speakers. Any suggestions for what goes well with 300B driven 18W integrated amp? I'm currently using B&W CDM 7NTs
Now I want more, hehehe. The R5.5 (mk2) is 300B powered, and has nice bias adjustments on the front. Very convenient.
However, obviously I also want 845s! Just so I have something different, in case I feel liek a change
So I am still considering MingDa. I can probably get MC845-C's (845 mono blocks) plus an MC-7R (pre-amp) for about 12k RMB. However, now I know the build quality et al of the consonance, I'm wondering if it's worth saving up some extra cash and go for the Consonance Opera Reference 9.9, which is a dual monoblock using 845s. Again gorgeous pieces of kit, but this one also needs a good pre-amp. So if I go for the R9.9's plus pre-amp from same brand, that sets me back 30k RMB! Whilst the MingDa set would set me back just 12k RMB, quite a difference!
Another point I'd like to bring up is: Speaker choice.
What speakers should I get using the R5.5? With 18W I can imagine I need quite sensitive speakers. Any suggestions for what goes well with 300B driven 18W integrated amp? I'm currently using B&W CDM 7NTs