Tag Archives: KLIAV show

Now, for the final part of the KLIAV 2009 show full report.

AVP Soundcraft, the new Simaudio representitive in town, show cased a full line of the flagship Moon series electronics powering a pair of German Physiks omnidirectional speakers. The sound was highly impressive to say the least. With lightning fast transient response, tight, solid bass and very airy highs, making sound staging very believable and convincing. Too bad the mids were a bit lean for vocals, and the music choice was rather limited to showcase the system’s strengths. One of my personal top 3 fav demo.
Over the Simaudio Moon???

A closer look at the German Physiks speaker.

AV World, demonstrated a very tonally balanced, coherent beyond reproach sound, from a system, consisting of the lagendary Mark Levinson electronics and KEF Reference speakers. Cables are all Nordost and a Burmester Sine Wave Reconstruction PLC helps no doubt. These guys know some good, real world music choices too. A mighty fine demo. On static displays are B&K amplifiers and the full line of KEF speakers.
Great synergy from the ML and KEF combo! Noticed the Nordost Valhallas streching across?

The Burmester Perfect Sinewave Regenerator, very potent indeed!

More KEFs on display.

Not to be out done, A&L Audio also had a big demo room on the 4th floor, displaying their newly aquired Dali speaker line and VTL tube amps. Their main demo system consist of a 2 pc PS Audio Perfect Wave memory player, VTL 6.5 Signature pre amp and MB450MKII mono block power amps and a pair of Dali Helikon Euphonia MS5 speakers. The sound was big, powerfull, warm and dynamic. Also on static display were the full lines of Dali speakers and VTL tube amps. PS Audio power products were also featured here.
The latest Dali Euphonia MS5, and VTL tube amps!

PS Audio Perfectwave memory player with VTL 6.5 Signature pre amp.

Dalis in a row.

The ATS Marketing room featured their full range of locally made hifi supports, racks, speaker stands and isolation cone sets.

Wood support?

Or would you prefer acrylic?

The Ayre/TAD Ref 1 demo room, presented by Pioneer, is one of my top 3 fav demos. The sound was highly resolved, transparent and very coherent. Though some others had remarked that for a big system, the sound was rather small scale, but that’s my point actually! How many big systems can portray sonic imeadiacy like a smaller system??? I also found that the highs tend to beam at certain frequencies from the speakers, but that’s more of a set up issue, I guess. The system is made up of Ayre CX5e CD player, KX-R pre amp and MX-R mono blocks powering the TAD Ref 1 speakers.

AV Designs had some very impresive surround sound AV system on display, probably the best AV display of the show! They had devoted most of the show time for AV demo, which has short changed us stereo dudes a chance to hear the new PMC PB1i speakers powered by full Bryston electronics in it full musical glory. I did get a chance for a private audition and it was impresive. I was so musically awed by the sound, I had forgotten to take the pictures! Sorry James.
The new PMC Fact 8 speakers on silent display, no sound! James tells me this is PMC’s new direction for the next generation of speakers.

I missed this Bryston setup, which was in my room just a few days before the show.

The naked Torus Power PLC, it shows that you’re not paying for a box full of air!

Next up is the Kondo demo room, displaying the full Kondo Japanese set up. Many remarked that it did heavenly vocals and organically beautifull music. I personally think this set up is more for conoisuers whom are very seriously well endowed!(think $$$………..)

I’ve heard that you could buy a prestigeous condo in Kuala Lumpur for a full Kondo set price!

More condos, err….. Kondo on display.

The Sooloos Meridian room was show casing more of the user friendly interface in the Sooloos music server, feeding low level signals straight in to a pair of Meridian DSP powered speakers.

The Sooloos Meridian music server, the future of music sources?

Another room featuring music servers is the Norman Audio demo room featuring a pair of Avalon Acoustic NP Evolution Series 1.0 speakers power by an intergrated amp. Crystal cables were on display too.
The Avalon Evolution NP 1.0 speaker.

The jewel like Crystal cable, for the feminist in an audiophile?

Auralex sound treatment products made it’s KLIAV debut courtesy of Acoustic Innovations.

Lastly, my personal top 3 fav demo at the KLIAV is also the most expensive, the Swedish Statement main demo on the 4th floor, cost a whopping RM$1.2 million! The sound is understated, refined and highly transparent. It’s strength is more in micro dynamism rather than macro dynamism. Most say that I had eye-fi ed rather than hifi ed. But my point is, irregardless of price, it’s still the single most impressive system on display(I am talking sound wise!) Most have failled to factor in the point of diminishing returns at this level of high end audio. Frankly, the sonic diference between an RM$500k system and of those costing more than a million is somtimes not that much either! Never expect to double the returns for the double of your $$$ investments, well at least that’s the way it is with high end audio. Anyway, this is where the big boys play! This system had plenty of room treatment help from our dear friend Joamonte, whom spent more than 3 sleepness nights tweaking the system.

See the great amount of room treatment efforts by Joamonte?

The very refined Vitus Audio electronics, the high end aura is certainly there!

Look at your RM1.2 millions worth of high end audio.

And lastly but surely, here are the following results of our Readers Choice for Best Show Demo.

1st place, total of 4 votes = Swedish Statement, featuring Marten Design Coltrane Supreme & Vitus Audio electronics. (Panzer, 1 vote)

Joint 2nd place, total of 3 votes each =

a) CMY, Dynaudio Confidence C4 & Jeff Rowland electronics with Acoustic System accesories.

b) CMY, ProAc & Naim electronics with RGPC power supply.

c) Kondo, full Kondo system.

d) Ong Radio, full McIntosh system. (Hifikaki, 1 vote)

Joint 3rd place, total of 2 votes each =

a) Rave System, Wilson Benesch C-60 & Gryphon plus Weiss electronics.

b) Norman Audio/Hi Way Laser, ATC SCM50A & Ayre electronics.

c) Audionote, full Audionote system. (Hifikaki, 1 vote)

d) Pioneer, TAD Ref 1 & Ayre electronics. (Panzer, 1 vote)

Others that made the survey with 1 vote each =

a) Tropical Audio, Harbeth & Quad electronics.

b) Centre Circle Audio, Amphion, Pathos and Esoteric, with JPS cables.

c) AV Designs, PMC & Bryston electronics.

d) AV World, KEF Reference & Mark Levinson electronics with Burmester power supply.

e) CMY, Dynaudio Confidence C1 & Jeff Rowland electronics with Siltech cables. (Hifikaki, 1 vote)

f) AVP Soundcraft, German Physiks & Simaudio electronics. (Panzer, 1 vote)

g) A&L Audio, Focus Audio FS88 & Densen electronics.

All tallies are taken from those votes presented by our readers, taken from an earlier survey. Also tallied in to account is Hifikaki’s and my own top 3 fav demo choice.

Hifikaki’s top 3 fav demo choice:

1) Audionote, full Audionote system.

2) Ong Radio, full Mcintosh system.

3) CMY, Dynaudio Confidence C1 & Jeff Rowland electronics with Siltech cables.

Panzer’s top 3 fav demo choice:

1) Swedish Statement, Coltrane Supreme & Vitus Audio electronics.

2) Pioneer, TAD Ref 1 & Ayre electronics.

3) AVP Soundcraft, German Physics & Simaudio electronics.

Congrats to all the those exhibitors mentioned above, your extra care in setting up efforts have made a strong imppression on the KLIAV 2009 show goers and our readers. My special congrats to the Swedish Statement team for an extra ordinary strong showing.

In summary, I thought the show would be a subdued affair, with the economic crisis in full swing and wanning stereo interest, as indicated by demographics. But as the show ended, most dealers actually reported higher interest, with more quality enquiries than before, which indicates a healthier stereo market. We can only speculate the show attendence traffic, once 3 DOTS Events, the show’s organizers release their statistics.

Once again, I throughly enjoyed the show.

Here’s looking forward to another KLIAV show next year!

Let’s continue with the KLIAV show report.

Electrades show cased the Sugden electronics and Spendor speaker combo in two systems, first the Sugden Masterclass series with Spendor S5e speakers which was making nice, warm, cuddly, if undistinguished music.

Sugden Masterclass!

Electrades also showcased the Sugden A21 series electronics with the Spendor SA1 speakers, which were in “silent mode” when I got there. I’ve always loved the Sugden A21 amps.

The Sugden A21 SE amp, middle rack.

The Norman Audio/Hi-Way Laser demo room featured Krell Evolution electronics driving the big, bad, ATC SCM50A SL speakers. Ken’s favourite demo room!

Krell + ATC, not your average combo, but stil sounds excellent according to Ken.

SQC Audio from Singapore demoed this Canadian made, weird bomb like room tune contraption, called Sonic Enhancer, to be placed on top of speakers, or any where you deemed gives you the best sound! An enthusiastic uncle from Hong Kong demo-ed the 4 in 1 contraption, where you can split the unit in to 4 pcs spreading it’s properties all over the room, or for maximum fire power, just stack all the 4 pcs together on top of your speaker. I heard some sound changes during the demo, but I could not ascertain if the sound changed for the better or worse. The demo was done using all DIY electronics!, the said uncle’s handiwork. A breath of fresh air, perhaps?

Big bomb, small bomb!, you can split this device in to 4 pcs and used it where ever you like the sound best! Very versatile.

My good ghost from the past caught up with me in the form of car audio boys, K.K. Lau and Extro Aim, a new company set up to market Micro Precision drivers for both car and home audio uses! The top of the line Z series feature speaker cones hand made from clam shells and other organic materials by Mr Thomas Hoffman in Germany. Even the speaker surround rubber is joint using organic latex sap, harvested from Christmas pine trees! It’s also claimed to be “Probably the best sounding speaker in the world”. Yeah, Probably!

This Micro Precision Z series drivers and x-over cost an extravagant RM$16k!

Alpine head units as source with tube car audio power amps.

K.K. Lau can custom build your speaker cabinets, to use at home, should you be bored with car audio one day! Nice piano black finishing too!

Next up, is another claim to be “The best loudspeaker in the world, period!” room, yeah! you’ve guessed it. It’s the YG Acoustic speaker demo room. Partnered with Audio Space Reference grade tube amps and Jungson Chinese made flagship CD player, the sound was very smooth and lush. But based on the said demo, YG’s advert copy writer’s claim will just have to wait to be proven in another more convincing demo. By the way, no one sells YG Acoustic speakers in Malaysia just yet, and they are inviting any interested parties to come forward to represent them.

Jungson flagship CD player, looks more like a space craft to me!

The best speakers in the world, period! Maybe, but certainly not here, in KLIAV 2009!

A&L Audio demo-ed the Focus Audio FS88 driven by Densen electronics, and cables by Audioquest.

Tropical Audio demo-ed the Quad/Harbeth again!, as did every other year. This time it’s the Harbeth Super HL5 to take center stage. Sam Chan is the antithesis of the typical audiophile in us. He throws caution to the wind, by using computer grade UPS for power supply and un balanced speaker wire length between the two chanels. Plus, I spotted a hasty speaker wire joint job going to the right speaker!!! All this, and yet, so many have praised this room for it’s natural and engaging sound! I personally disagree though, but that’s just me!

Vintage 80’s Quad gear!

More Harbeths on static display.

CMY demo-ed the very balanced, yet big sounding Dynaudio Confidence C1 with Jeff Rowland electronics on one of the smaller rooms upstairs. Cables by Siltech and power supply by RGPC. One of Hifikaki’s top 3 fav demos. He likes the overall fatigue free, organic sound with big solid bass coming from the small Dynaudio C1s. I couldn’t agree more!
The Jeff Rowland Capri and the 501D mono blocks. Did you know they’re class D amps??? They sure don’t sound like it.

Another CMY demo is the Prima Luna tube amps, CD player with Usher Tiny Dancer pairing.

Yet, more CMY demos, this time it’s the Naim/ProAc partnership.

C&O Enterprise made it’s maiden appearance in KLIAV with Telos tweak guru, Jeff Linn, on hand to answer all your questions and doubts(if you have any) about his products. Also on demo were Onix speakers and electronics with all cables and accessories by Telos(who else?), which many remarked about the “Nice” sound.
Telos tweak guru! Jeff Linn, too bad I don’t speak mandarin well.

Telos cable lift, Jeff offered me some for a test drive later.

Onix amp and CD player, making some very pleasant sounds.

JAS Audio room demo-ed their full range of electronic, speakers and Zion isolation bearings, which my hifi buddy bought a set, found it so……. good, he went back to the show again on the second day hoping to get another set, only to be disappointed, that all the Zion stock that they brought in for the show was sold out! He swears by the Zion 4 in 1 bearings now, and intends to order another set from Hong Kong.
Jas Orsa, the bookshelf was on play when I heard this room, sounds very nice indeed, must be those Zion bearings???

JAS Array 2.1 amp, using 845 and 300B tubes combo.

JAS Musica 1.2 CD player with tube inside, note the center window. Also my favourite Tong Lee CD, Dialougue II

Zion 4 in 1 bearings, my hifi buddy just couldn’t get enough of them

More show reports to come later!

I attended the KLIAV Show on Friday, 24th July, which was the first day of the show. And here are some of the exhibitors featured on part one of my complete show report.

First up the Audio Note demo room, was serving some sweet, luscious vocals and very organic music in rather near field setting. Hifikaki’s top 3 fav demo, citing musicality for top score. However, I have some reservations that this system is dedicated more towards simple, and smaller scale music.

Can you see how close we’re sitting to the speakers! Top photo left bottom corner.

Next up is the Rave System demo room, home of Gryphon, Wilson Benesch and Weiss DAC. Music was pipe through an Apple laptop using loss less and WAV files amongst others. The Wilson Benesch Torus sub was on demo with the full carbon built C-60 Limited Edition floor standing speakers. The sound was refined, well balanced and the bass is room filling, in control, yet, no over hang despite the small demo room.

Weiss DAC and the Gryphon Diablo amp.
Note the Wilson Benesch C-60 speakers with the Torus sub in the back ground?

The rather transparent, if cool and analytical sounding mini Swedish Statement demo room, with the Baldelius Embla memory player as source, Saga pre amp and Ymer power amp powering Marten Bird speakers. This system’s got so much more potential.
Yawn!Yawn!

Center Circle Audio featured the rather low key Esoteric x-05 SACD/CD player, Pathos Logos intergrated amp and Amphion Argon2 speaker, said to be rather good sounding.
Esoteric, Pathos and Notingham Analog.

Amphion Argon2

Ong Radio demo-ed the full set McIntosh gear, with the latest XRT1 speakers alone, rumored to be costing a cool RM$160k. One of Hifikakis top 3 fav! He likes the thrilling dynamics and musical scale derived from the system.

The full big Mc set up! note the 1.2KW power amp’s full bright panel meter?

Acoustic Arts demo-ed the Creek electronics with Epos speaker synergy to the max! The best real world budget system demo, anytime, anywhere! Total system cost excluding cables and accessories, less than RM$10k. This system did all the fundamental hifi things right and most of all, utterly musical and enjoyable to listen too. This proves you do not need big budget for good sound. The system however, had some help from the Walker Velociraptor Quantum PLC and all Straightwire cables, which together, cost more than the basic system!

The Creek/Epos synergy is real!

Hidden help! The Walker Audio Velociraptor PLC and the Straightwire Maestro II speaker cable.(silver jacket, just below the fore ground)

Woo Kee Hong had static displays, which is disappointing to say the least, but had the full Marantz and Denon range on display, including the 30th Anniversary KI Pearls, my dream SA7-S1 SACD/CD player and a very curious looking modern production of the Rogers Ls 3/5A, BBC mini monitor. The new production LS 3/5A cost a whooping RM$16K plus! My good friend Jo, whom has many, many pairs of the said speaker in his private collection, must be grinning from ear to ear! His investments in to the demure little speaker seems to be a better bet than the KLSE stock market.

My dream machine! Would Woo Kee Hong let my test drive this baby in the near future???

Jo Ki, lunch on you, my friend, your investments are paying off BIG time!

Asia Sound Equipment also choose the “Silence is Golden” route! Rega turn tables on all their full colour glory and irresistible price offer too! Also on offer is the full range of Xindak cables. Where are the Focal JM Lab speakers???

Xindak cables galore on offer!
Micheal and the colourful Rega turn tables. Where’s the Utopia?

Perfect Hifi disappointed me when they choose to leave Audio Research on static display! Meaning, I did not get to hear the Reference 5 pre amp and CD8 Reference in action. However, they more than make up for it by showing the DCS Scarlatti 3 piece stack plus Pass Labs amplification and the very latest Wilson Sasha! My friend, Mr. Wilson Wong was drooling all over his next potential upgrade purchase! One word best describes this system’s sound, smooth! Some say a little too smooth!
Wilson Wong, you can stop drooling now!
RM$250k worth of musicality???

Perfect Hifi also demo-ed a second system in the same room, the Accapella Musica Horns driven by some sweet Wavac 300B tube jobbies and Reimyo transport/DAC source.

Mickey ears!

Wavac 300B amps.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, these unassuming Sonus Faber Toy Tower speakers are one of the best RM$8.6k money can buy! They are simply stunning! My friend bought a pair at the show and was floored, the moment he hooked it up on Monday morning. I heard highly transparent qualities, well defined bass, warm mid range and a slightly sweet treble coming straight out of the box, from this very unassuming l’ll package. Once the drivers runs in, you can bet it’ll only get better with time.

This SF Toy Tower floored both my friend and me when he brought home! It’s damm good!

The CMY flagship demo room, where Franck Tchang of Acoustic Systems held his presentation of the Resonator Cups. The flagship Dynaudio Confidence C4 speakers driven by top flight Jeff Rowland amplification are front runners to our readers choice top 3 fav demo poll!

The system has the help of the RGPC Isogray system (what out for Hifikaki’s review coming soon!) and top range Siltech Royal series cables, plus not to mention, 11 of those tiny l’ll resonator cups and other Acoustic Systems products.

The latest Jeff Rowland Criterion pre amp. Yummy!!!

More show reports to come, stay tuned!

Here’s my top 3 favorite show babes at the KLIAV 2009. The Pioneer Twins, boy am I starting to feel like Hugh Heffner already???

The sweet looking Sony girl next door. Hey! Did you guys remembered to ask for the Sony XA5400ES SACD/CP player?

Miss TAD, she’s a photographer too! Note the camera? She took pictures of me too, and I hope I came out looking as good as she did here. Ha!Ha!

The KLIAV 2009 Show is going to start tomorrow. The event is not only for us audiophiles to gawk or listen at the latest and greatest gears only. We mostly take the oppurtunity to meet up old friends and perhaps gain new ones too, by working the audiophile social network.

Some of us would also take the oppurtunity to grab some of the hifi bargains on offer during the show, especially the last day!

And lastly, most of us will not go home empty handed from a hifi show, there’s always an LP or CD at least, to tempt our hard earned $$$ somehow.

But most importantly, is remember to have fun!

Here’s hoping for a productive KLIAV show to all participating dealers and friends, and a for us visitors, to have a great time.

Be there or be square!