Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by toolkit21

Secondary School in PJ recommendations?

toolkit21 — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:15:51 +0800

Am doing research on SECONDARY school for my boys (10 & 8 years old) for them to enrol in a couple of years.
Currently both studying in Lick Hung Primary in Subang Jaya; along with nephews, friend's kids, and other neighbours.
I live in Subang Jaya area and keen for schools in PJ as well, don't mind sending them to school in the wee hours.
Have been out of touch with schools nowadays and seeking some advice about new recommendations.
Trying to go with quality government schools or chinese secondary, instead of private (exception Sri KL coz nearby) or international school.

Have a few in mind;
1) SMK Seafied (USJ)
2) Catholic High School (PJ)
3) Sri KL

Looking for academic and co-curricular emphasis, not so much on being straight A all the way but an all-rounder.

Glad to have some usable advice here.

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

toolkit21 — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 18:50:46 +0800

Level 1
The journey from Nescafe instant coffee to a Rocket machine has been very enlightening. Nescafe Gold and Davidoff were the next best instant coffee options.

Level 2
Fresh grounded beans for making espressos, extracted from commercial machines at malls and cafes became the next stage, when there was a little more cash to splurge.
It then got expensive as you total up the Starbucks and cafe receipts. But the urge was still there. And alas the wallet spoke.

Level 3
Scouting for machines to do your own home brewing was the next step up. Went with Breville as its reasonably priced, all-in-one, sufficient to train, and spare parts aplenty. Attended brewing courses, latte art classes, exhibition to gather more of what this industry is. Malaysia still has a considerable traction to gain as compared to our neighbouring countries.
And which brings me to upgrading the limitation I face on a Breville. Its a fantastic machine, no doubt about it. Much akin to advancing a piano at your grade 4/5 stage. The ability of the equipment needs to change with yours.

Level 4
So the available options were; Gaggia Classic, Rancilio SILVIA and Nuova Simonelli OSCAR 2; because of budget constraints. Those few sit in the range of about RM3-4k. And not forgetting the need to add a separate grinder, another RM2-3k. Narrowed to Eureka Mignon range.
However, was told moving from Breville to Silvia may be too small a jump to see any significant difference because of its single boiler ability. That's where OSCAR 2 option came in for its Heat Exchanger; doing double duty to brew and steam milk at the same time. Yet there's some hesitation because the crazy thought of a shiny, reflective stainless steel piece of a raw manual espresso machine with knobs, levers, switches and pipes glistening all over the kitchen counter top every morning day, just can't seem to shake off.
And so my sudden love for Italian espresso art suddenly expanded with brands like Bezzera, ECM, Profitec, WPM, La Pavoni, Rocket...
Damn... have to add some more budget to an exploding budget already. Getting close to 5 figure range. Shortlisted were Bezzera BZ10, Profitec Pro300, ECM Classika, Rocket Appartamento.

Many videos, forum threads, reviews, and more videos... the narrowed winner to capture the winning trophy of spending my money, is a Rocket Appartamento.
They are built by a team of New Zealander and Italian mens. Very impressive credentials in the espresso lover circle. Nothing to fail me in the next 5-10 years of ownership. Probably I could make full use of it, and sell cafe latte to my neighbours for RM10/cup and recoup some investment.

Here's hoping to more better stories about this interesting journey unexpectedly discovered.

Cheers

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[SOLD] Laco Pilot Type B watch - Aachen

toolkit21 — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 22:58:34 +0800

This watch was bought NEW, about few weeks ago, from Singapore. Brought it back and realised the dial type wasn't for me. Felt it needed a better home. So didn't wear it at all. Plan to recoup funds for another watch.

Item(s): NEW Laco Pilot Type B dial (Aachen model)

Package includes: Watch, leather case, original box, warranty card, product tag, back sticker still in place

Price: Bought at RM1,250. Selling RM1,000

Warranty: 2 years, until October 2015

Dealing method: Cash

Location of seller: Petaling Jaya, Subang, Sunway

Contact method/details: Email to toolkit21(a)gmail.com OR PM me

Age of item: NEW

Click here for more details : Laco Watch
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Item(s) conditions: No scratch, ding, dents. Original plastic sticker still on. Unworn

Picture:

Reason for sale: Raise funds for another watch

Pre-registered cars bought / sold

toolkit21 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:19:03 +0800

I was in the midst of looking for a VW Passat and came across a nice chap (from Veemer Auto) offering a pre-registered Passat, in the colour I wanted. Its a personal car (as in boss punya lah, not test drive or demo unit), registered in November 2011, mileage ~4000km. Condition looks like new, exterior and interior.

What I most want to know from those who have bought pre-registered cars;

1) What discount rate / RM amount was offered?

2) Mileage of car?

3) Any pointers to look out for before getting these cars?

4) Is the savings better than buying it new?

Kit

AVR+Amp+Speaker = Better sound?

toolkit21 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:00:55 +0800

In need of some advice for amp+speaker pairing.

I'm now running an AV receiver (Yamaha RXV-465 at 105W/channel) to a 5.1 setup.

Front speakers (Alpha B1) are at recommended 15-80W. Am changing them to a better range (Image B6) with a 20-150W input.

My question is; can I add another amp (pre/power/integrated?) to the RXV-465, thereby increasing output to the Image B6? Would this provide better "kick"?

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WTA - Recommendation on HTA, budget of RM5k

toolkit21 — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:21:42 +0800

I'm in the midst of searching a decent HTS setup for my terrace house, with a budget of about RM5k running a 5.1 + receiver.

So far I've had a lot of reading done on 'TAKE ENERGY 5.1 CLASSIC + Onkyo AV Receiver' system which are selling like hot cakes in the USA, but not many information about it in KL. Nor does Mediaplex have much stock available here. Usage will be in the region of 60 movies, 40 music. Bookshelf size is better, for hanging. I would prefer not the 'common' supermarket store brands, eg. Sony, Pioneer, Samsung, Philips, etc.

Are there any suggestions on another range of brand? Thanks heaps

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Beginners Guide to Saxophone

toolkit21 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:30:41 +0800

As I'm a beginner to learning the ropes of music through an alto saxophone, I've put up a blog http://eflatsax.blogspot.com/ detailing some of the experiences, ups and downs from learning this instrument.
(Note : Unfortunately the chronology of events begin at the bottom end, then works its way up to the latest ones on top.)

I hope to hear of any feedback on what my comments or opinions are correct/incorrect, that way I may improvise and hopefully assist others to do the same.

http://eflatsax.blogspot.com/

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