International Sound & Sight Exhibition 2023

Introduction

This year's ISSE is slightly smaller compared to previous years, due to the absence of some of the major exhibitors, and the exhibitors from Taiwan. 

Keeping with the format adopted over previous shows, exhibitors are split over two floors, with the larger rooms at the basement level, and the smaller rooms on the 8th floor. 

Here is a short video highlighting the sound from the various rooms :-

Basement Floor

1. Simplicity Control

This is one system that makes your complaints about current COE prices seem trivial (For foreign readers, COE is our vehicle licensing system in Singapore. You need a COE to purchase and use a car for 10 years. During the latest round of bidding, it cost S$ 85,001 for a small car, and S$ 135,002 for a large car).

The analog source here is the J. Sikora KV12 Max with DS Audio Grand Master EX Cartridge. Digital duties were handled by the Taiko Extreme Server and Network Switch, as well as an EMM Labs DV2 DAC. Amplification was from Pilium and the Magico S3 speakers completed the picture. 

According to the dealer's equipment list displayed, everything at the show costs a total of S$ 491,330. Frankly, I think they are fibbing - the list forgot cabling of any form! Thank you for your considerate thoughts in not shocking us with the real cost of this system. 

As a special for the show, you can get everything at 25% off. There is a possibility that you may also get a free anti-money laundering investigation thrown in too with the package. On the bright side, you don't have to retire the system after 10 years.

This system surprised me. Kenny - everyone's favourite pre-owned audio equipment dealer, was helping out in the room. I was listening intently to a track that was being streamed. I asked Kenny after that whether the turntable would be used for demonstration. He replied that they had actually swapped over after the first track. To be honest, the deck was so quiet I would be hard-pressed to tell the two sources apart. 

Sonically, this system was effortless and highly detailed. Personally, I would have liked a a bit more energy and air on top. I give this system joint best sound for the floor.    

2. AV One

The first thing that grabs your attention is the Focal Stella Utopia EM Evo speakers. The accordion-like tilt is visually striking. A long time ago, I owned a pair of Diablo Utopia speakers so you correctly guessed that I find them aesthetically appealing. 

Paired with Naim electronics, this system was too bass-heavy for the room. Hopefully they switch to simpler acoustic tracks for the demos going forward. 

3. Element 5 Laser Laboratory

Element 5 were displaying Barefoot speakers and Soundaware electronics. The home theater setup was from Starke Sound. The line of water bottles in front were either a reminder to keep hydrated, or some advanced acoustic tweak. 

4. Ong Radio

All those soothing blue meters guaranteed a warmish and relaxing sound. Believe it or not, I've had more than one non-audiophile friend ask me whether the "microphone" on top of the B&W speakers were for karaoke. Jokes aside, the 801D4 will certainly serve as a conversation starter. 

5. Audio Maestro Pte Ltd

Audio Maestro demonstrated the Borreson X6 speakers with the Axxess Forte Streamer Integrated Amplifier. As you would expect, Ansuz cables were used throughout. Music was reproduced with a grain-free sound, with very good imaging and staging. All this for under USD 50,000 - no mean feat.

I give this system joint best sound for the floor with a special mention for outstanding value.  

8th Floor

1. Project Perfection / Infinite Sound

The Project Perfection boys were thrashing both the Fink Team and Epos speakers (through their dealer, Infinite Sound) within an inch of their lives. The excursion on those woofer cones was eye-popping and you could feel legitimate pressurisation in the room as you entered. Not bad at all for bookshelf speakers. Despite the pretty loud volumes, the high frequencies were neither harsh nor shouty.  Great promise here and hope they dial down the volume a few notches. 

The Fink was paired with the Audia Flight FLS10 when I visited. My little bird told me that the Dan D'Agostino Progression integrated amplifier made an appearance on Day 2, and the Burmester 032 integrated amplifier on Day 3.

The Epos speakers were paired with an Esoteric disc player and Symphonic Line electronics. 

2. Yamaha Music
(Asia)

I love the retro look of their amplifiers. The system wasn't playing music when I dropped by, so no notes on the sonics of their setup. They were also going to showcase their new flagship headphone, but the presentations did not coincide with my visit.

3. Reference Audio

Music was being streamed to a CH Precision DAC which was paired with an all-Gryphon system (Essence Pre / Power amplifier and Eos 2 speakers). Nice sound, but I thought the system was a bit bass-light. A switch was made to the analog system, with Dire Straits played loud on the 14-4 Turntable from The Wand, paired with a Classic Cartridge from Goldenberg and an EAR Yoshino phono stage.

4. Raindrop Audio

Revival Audio speakers hail from Alsace, France. I have a soft-spot for Gewurtztraminer and Riesling wines from Alsace, and these speakers (the Atalante 5) really impressed me. The SPEC Corporation RSA-M99 amplifier, SOtM stack and Cen.grand DAC played supporting roles. This system has a nice balance between organic warmth and detail. I vote this as my favourite sea-salt caramel ice-cream.

5. Horizon Acoustics

Qualio speakers sound very much like full-range speakers. Although they are a three-way design, their parent company is Cube Audio - producer of full-range drivers. Paired with the very clever GaN based amplifiers from AGD, and COS Engineering digital equipment, this was a system that had a lively sound that was lighter, brighter and more dynamic compared to the softer presentation of the Revival Audio speakers. 

I vote this as my favourite raspberry sorbet.  Do you think I cheated by having two favourites? That's why you opt for two scoops at the Gelateria! 

6. Lawrence Audio

You can't help but notice the gold finish on the "Star" from Lawrence Audio. The styling won't appeal to all, and I personally prefer their musical instrument inspired models. You can't argue with the sound though which was highly resolving. I love the heirloom quality of the Luxman electronics too!

7. CD Acoustics

Hmm, a subwoofer from Harbeth? Well, Andy Whittle designed the AB1 subwoofer for the LS3/5A when he was at Rogers, so why not! Paired with the HLP3 ESR XD, you finally get a compact Harbeth with proper low-end extension. The AB1 was a passive subwoofer, but the Nelson subwoofer is active, and utilises DSP trickery to optimise crossover frequency, phase and shape. 

In typical Harbeth fashion, you got a very natural midband, with excellent imaging and soundstaging.

The source was an Audio Mirror DAC, and amplification was from Modwright (LS99 and KWA99).

8. The Experts Group

This was one of the few AV setups at ISSE, I got to watch Top Gun:Maverick on an all-SVS AV speaker system.

9. Absolute Sound

The Duetto marks Sonus Faber's entry into the active wireless speaker world. It has HDMI and optical inputs, and can stream from Tidal, Spotify and Bluetooth. The Teac AP-701 power amplifier is a pretty little thing. Looks like almost everyone is back to analog power meters.

10. Wow Acoustics

Wow is wow. Can I cheat and get a third scoop of ice-cream? Tonally closer to the Revival Audio, the Mofi SourcePoint 8 speakers present a wonderfully coherent soundstage, befitting of speaker designed by Andrew Jones. The top-end energy is a tad restrained, but if you like a non-fatiguing presentation, this is the speaker for you. The Mobile Fidelity Masterdeck turntable sounded great too. 

11. Tritone AV

The Piega Master Line Source 3 was oozing refinement, both visually and sonically. The tall ribbon array delivered outstanding image height, and a very refined yet detailed top-end. The four woofers (two drivers are rear-firing) were superbly controlled - no bloat here.

The MAG-LEV Audio turntable had me taking a closer look, just to make sure that the turntable was truly suspended in the air.   

12. Audio Sound - Surprise of the Day !

I heard someone call my name, and the boss said that I had to try this in my own system. Apparently, it's a speaker cable unlike any other. I politely enquired which internal organ I needed to sell to afford this. Boss said that there was no need, but according to my rough calculations, this one isn't chump change. 

Sneaking off to the website, I found some pictures that suggest that the cable consist of 6 individual cores threaded through a Jules Destrooper biscuit-like hexagon spacer. 

Let's see where this road leads me.

Conclusion

I hope you had a good time at ISSE 2023. See you next year!

AGD GaNTube88KT MKIII

Introduction

My AGD Audion monoblock amplifiers just received an upgrade to the GaNTube88KT MkIII. Let's see what differences it brings to the table and whether it is a worthwhile upgrade for existing owners.

Description

AGD builds their amplification stage into a glass envelope. While visually looking like a vacuum tube, they are solid-state devices. Some people have criticised AGD for this move. I found it visually appealing and an interesting talking point. With the introduction of new "tube" variants, AGD users are now able to upgrade their amplifiers without too much hassle. You could swap the "tube" in under 5 minutes per side, with most of the time spent undoing the hex screws to remove the protective cage for my Audion. This is not necessary, but gives my large fingers more room to work.

The MkIII has been two years in the making, and AGD claims that the PWM stage and output filter have been redesigned with more advanced materials to deliver reduced distortion, lowered noise, higher bandwidth and faster response times. 

Class-D amplifiers require a low-pass filter to remove high-frequency circuit noise. Poor filtering designs result in a loss of high-frequency detail and air. According to AGD, the new filter results in flat response up to 60KHz.  

Output power has been increased to 250W at 4 ohms, and with the Audion, 200W at 4 ohms, due to limitation of the power supply of the Audion. In comparison, the original "tube" delivered 170W at 4 ohms.

Sound Quality

Despite the increase in power rating, there is no noticeable increase in gain moving to the MkIII. The tonal balance remains close to the original, although there is a noticeable improvement in speed and neutrality. Bass quality immediately hits you with more power and articulation. Low frequency notes simply go deeper and with more detail. 

On the midrange and high-frequencies, there is better vocal refinement, with an improved sense of air. Placement of voices and instruments are also improved, with better separation and dimensionality.

In tube terms, the improvements are similar to a change from KT88 to KT120 tubes. It's possible that some listeners may prefer the softer presentation of the original tube, but most would prefer the MkIII. 

Conclusion

The improvements are not on a subtle level and are on par with the sonic gains associated with moving one model up the product line. This makes the MkIII an easy recommendation for AGD customers. My only criticism is that AGD should make available a trade-in program for customers to help defray the cost of the upgrade.  

Price : USD 1,500 per pair

Hifistay Stella 80 Triple Swing Spike Shoes

Introduction

Hifistay is a Korean company that takes a novel approach to audio equipment support. The spike shoes on review here are part of the company's flagship "triple swing" line. The "triple swing" description refers to the three levels of ceramic ball bearings used within. No prizes for guessing how the "single swing" and "double swing" products compare.   

Conditioned by years of audiophile training to suppress unnecessary motion in speakers, the Hifistay will challenge your beliefs. A gentle push on your speaker will result in free motion as the cabinets move back and forth. The Stella 80 is highly efficient in converting vibrations to horizontal movement. As the product stood on my study desk, I saw the top spike-cup gently move. I realised that the barely felt vibration was coming from construction work about 50 meters down the road! 

Description

The "Swing" line-up consists of various products ranging from 60 mm to 100 mm diameter spike shoes. The 60mm model is only available as a "double swing", while the 80 mm model is available in both "double swing" and "triple swing". The 100mm model is only available as a "triple swing" model. The choice of shoe would depend on the component, and weight supported. In the case of the 80 Triple Swing, it is described as being suitable for speakers, heavy amplifiers and your equipment rack. Rated load is a maximum of 120 kg/shoe, with a recommended load of 10-60 kg per shoe. The main body of the shoe unscrews from the base to provide height adjustment, which allows precise levelling.

Sound Quality 

I tried the 80 Triple Swing with a Partington Super Dreadnought speaker stand (replacing Isoacoustics Gaia footers), and my Tannoy Kensington GR speakers (replacing the stocks spikes). In both cases, they rested on hardwood parquet flooring. Once installed, the speakers rock gently as they are pushed. Audiophiles being fixated with non-movement will find this disconcerting initially.

In the case of the Partington Super Dreadnought speakers stands (with Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 speakers perched on top), there is a useful cleaning-up, and tightening of the music across the frequency range.

Moving on to the Tannoys is when things really got interesting. The Tannoys have always sounded dynamic and fast in my setup, albeit with a tendency to sound a bit bright and bass light. I attributed this to a lack of power, although the Tannoys are easy to drive on paper at 93db sensitivity / 8 ohms. Nevertheless, I got the best bass using powerful amplifiers like the Apollon 1ET400A (227W) instead of low-powered tube amps.

With the Triple Swing installed, the increase in tight and deep bass was remarkable, almost as if I had upgraded my speakers. A dramatic improvement across the rest of the frequency range resulted in improved detail retrieval and focus. As a result, the soundstaging become pinpoint with very deep and distinct layering. High-frequencies were also improved, with a more defined leading edge and decay. 

Unlike some other ball-bearing products that I have tried, the Triple Swing does not impact musicality nor coherency. It is far from sounding bright, and instead imparts a fluidity to music that is pleasing. There is no spotlighting of specific frequencies, nor aberrations in the tempo of music. Somehow, this product really manages to deliver the best of both worlds - reproducing plenty of details and improving speed, while retaining naturalness and musicality. 

As a forewarning, I anticipate that this product will shift the tonal balance of your system. In particular, the increase in bass power will be a boon to some, and a bane to others. Judicious tweaking and adjustments post-installation will be required to maximise performance. 

Conclusion

This product is expensive, and makes sense only in high-end setups. Nevertheless, the improvements made are worthwhile in my personal opinion. Considering that audiophiles typically spend significant amounts for that last degree of improvement, this is a well-justified investment given the magnitude of improvement - Highly Recommended.

I would like to thank KC from XPS Acoustic for arranging this review.  

Price : S$ 4,800 for a set of 8

Hifistay products are available from :-

XPS Acoustic

271 Bukit Timah Road

#03-01, Balmoral Plaza

Singapore 259708

http://www.xpsaudio.com.sg

    

BE@RBRICK Portable Bluetooth Speaker in 400% size

 

Here is the perfect companion to your BE@RBRICK 400% - a Bluetooth speaker! Dropping in November 2023 at JPY 70,000 or USD 499, the BE@RBRICK 400% Portable Bluetooth Speaker will be available in three designs - Clear, Smoke and Black. 

Boasting up to six hours of battery life, you can also pair two units together to create a stereo pair.  

Weiss DAC204 Review

Introduction

Weiss is best known for their professional products which see use in studios worldwide. They have seen success too in their domestic products and I personally know a number of discerning audiophiles locally that use Weiss products. 

As an owner of an INT204 USB/DSD interface, I appreciate the level of quality and performance delivered. Not cheap by any means, but their products are priced reasonably, especially in the context of current high-end pricing.

Description

The Weiss DAC204 is a compact shoe-box-shaped device that combines the DAC board of the DAC205 with the functionality of the INT204 USB/DSD interface. The DAC205 offers only a Toslink and coaxial input, making the DAC204 the unit of choice if you require a USB input. Based on an oversampling sigma-delta D/A convertor, four paralleled D/A convertors are used per channel for superior signal-to-noise performance. High jitter suppression is claimed by virtue of several signal re-clocking schemes.

The USB input supports sampling frequencies of up to 384kHz and DSD64/128 (sampling frequencies of 352.8 and 384kHz are downsampled to half the original frequency). Two front panel toggle switches convert DSD signals to PCM at either 88.2kHz or 176.4kHz sampling rate and 16 or 24-bit word-length. The coaxial and Toslink inputs accept signals of up to 192kHz. 

The flexibility offered by the DAC204 is tremendous. Three digital outputs (coaxial, BNC and AES/EBU) allow digital signals to be routed to another DAC or digital recording device. For example, the DAC204 could be used with legacy DACs that neither have a USB input, nor DSD compatibility. 

Turning to the analog outputs, both single-ended and balanced outputs are available, with four selectable output voltages (0.23V to 7.5V for the balanced output, and 0.115V to 3.75V for the single-ended output). This allows the DAC204 to be adjusted based on the gain structure of your system. The higher voltage settings would be especially useful for passive preamp users. 

The power supply is off-board, with a medical-grade switched-mode power supplied. The DAC204 accepts a supply voltage between 6 to 9V DC, with a current requirement of 1050 ma at 6V or 700 ma at 9V. Weiss will also sell you the PSU101 universal power supply if you wish to upgrade the performance of the DAC204. Just be warned though, it's as expensive as the DAC itself!

In use

The Singapore distributor for Weiss kindly included a Plixir Elite 6V-6A power supply and Statement DC cable to try out with the DAC204. I used both the Plixir and the stock power supply during my evaluation. 

I hooked up an old CD player to the coaxial input to run-in the unit. None of the sampling frequency LEDs lit up although music flowed. Reading the manual again, I realised that the LEDs only light up when using the USB input. Apart from this initial scare, the DAC204 performed without any issues.  

Sound Quality

With the Plixir, the DAC204 impressed with a highly detailed and cohesive sonic performance. The first thing that strikes you is how music flowed without any particular frequency calling undue attention. 

Bass was tight and impactful and had good speed and tempo. Vocals had a mild laidback quality that provided some warmth to the human voice. High frequencies were reproduced with a clean and crisp edge. The Weiss managed to strike a perfect balance - with a detailed and grain-free midrange and good highs without sounding bright or strident.  

Readers to this point would be wondering what made the Weiss special compared to competition? In my view, the DAC204 was able to convey a superior sense of dimensionality and realism - with clear illumination of the acoustic space around each voice and instrument in the recording. I associate this particular quality with high-end DACs which is high praise indeed for the Weiss. 

The subtly warm tone and lack of harshness allowed for many hours of fatigue-free listening. Despite the professional audio heritage, the Weiss struck me as a musical device - I spent most of my time enjoying the music instead of trying to dissect the recording. 

Swapping out of the Plixir for the stock power supply greatly diminished the performance of the Weiss. Apart from losing impact and power in the low-frequency region, the drop in resolution and separation was obvious. 

Conclusion

Sonically compelling with the Plixir power supply, the Weiss offers great flexibility in a small format. The price with upgraded power supply is well justified if you require the functionality of the INT204 board - Recommended.

I would like to thank Sound Affairs Pte Ltd for arranging this review. 

Weiss DAC204 D/A Convertor

Price - S$ 3,996 (with stock power supply), $5,000.40 (with Plixir Elite BDC and Statement DC cable)

Sound Affairs Pte Ltd

110 Lorong 23 Geylang

#06-03 Victory Centre

Singapore 388410

http://mysoundaffairs.com

 

KZ xHBB PR2 In-Ear Monitor

Introduction

Knowledge Zenith (KZ) is back with a planar driver IEM tuned by HBB, the popular Youtuber who runs Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews. Priced at USD 45, this is aimed squarely at the budget planar market.

Description

Based on a single 13.2mm planar magnetic driver, the KZ PR2 is made from an alloy die-cast shell. The supplied 1.2m long cable is silver-plated and you can also order a mic version for USD 2 extra. The cable is nothing special - no chin slider, and the 3.5mm plug is not interchangeable. At least it's flexible and doesn't tangle up easily. The PR2 uses 0.75mm pins, so feel free to express yourself with a third-party cable of your choice. I ordered the version with the mic and the voice quality is quite decent and works well enough for conference calls in a quiet environment. 

Included in the box are four tips - one set of foam tips and three pairs of silicon tips in different sizes. There is no carrying case, or anything else fancy. 

The cut-away diagram on KZ's website shows a silver-plated diaphragm with seven N52 rubidium magnets on either side of the diaphragm.

Here is a picture of the measured response from KZ's website :-

Specified impedance is 15 ohms (+/- 3 ohms), and sensitivity at 94db (+/- 3 db). Well, planar drivers are hard to drive, and this one is especially difficult. Driven directly out of a computer or mobile phone headphone jack, the resultant performance is poor to mediocre at best. Apart from limited volume, music sounds strained and confused.  

Sound Quality

Bring proper amplification to the party, and the PR2 sounds great. Both an Aurender Flow DAC/headamp and a Questyle M15 dongle DAC had enough power to allow the PR2 to shine. 

Bass is especially impressive, with a tight and impactful quality. The tuning is neutral, with good and clean vocals and highs. Decay is good, although on the drier side. Staging and imaging are also above average, with good separation and layering. There is a touch of forwardness to the midrange though, which gives vocals a subtle presence boost. You also get speed and details galore, which is especially impressive given the low price tag. 

Tonally, this is one of the brighter-sounding IEMs on the market, with very little midbass and midrange warmth. You could use EQ to tune this IEM more to your liking, but the intrinsic character won't change that much.  If you prefer a warm and bassy IEM, you are better off with something else. 

In comparison to the Letshuoer S12 Pro (the other planar IEM in my collection), the PR2 is not quite as musical or fun to listen to. The S12 Pro has a much better cable, interchangeable connectors (including a 2.5 and 4.4mm balanced plug), and is easier to drive. The S12 Pro has a warmer and fuller balance, and better dimensionality. The S12 Pro also costs four times more than the PR2, and in my opinion, the performance gap between both is not that big. This gives a clear nod to the PR2 in the value stakes. According to HBB, the PR2 uses the same driver as the KZ PR1 Pro which is almost twice the price of the PR2. In short, you get a lot for your money. 

Conclusion

An outstanding bargain if you are a fan of its neutral tuning. The low sensitivity makes a good dongle DAC or headamp mandatory though - Best Buy.

Price - USD 45

http://kz-audio.com

Canjam Singapore 2023

Canjam Singapore is now on from March 25-26 at Pan Pacific Singapore. It runs from 11 am - 6 pm on March 25 (Saturday) and 10 am - 5 pm on March 26 (Sunday). See you at Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595. You can visit the website, http://https://canjamglobal.com/shows/singapore2023/ for more information.

Here are some pictures of the event. I had a brief listen to the Fiio R7, Final D8000 Pro SE, DCA Corina and Expanse, and the DITA Perpetua with Celeste cable.

Dan Clark Audio

The Corina has stunning bass-lines, and fantastic everything-else. I would have grabbed one if not for the hefty price-tag.

The Expanse sounded fantastic and is easily the best magnetic planar headphone from Dan Clark Audio that I've heard. 

Project Perfection / DITA

The DITA Perpetua with Celeste cable. This will challenge your idea of IEM performance albeit at a cost that few can afford.

The Final D8000 Pro SE must be the Baby Bear's Porridge of headphones. Nice organic midrange with extended and sparkling high frequencies. 

AV One / Fiio

Fiio R7 AIO Unit with SP3 active speakers

Interviews

I was also lucky enough to interview Rob Watts (digital design consultant for Chord Electronics) and Kevin Chen (director of Fiio). The interview covered the following :-

Rob Watts

• Products in the pipeline
• Tap length and the view beyond 1 million taps
• Thoughts on software solutions like HQPlayer and PGGP
• His thoughts on criticism on the technical performance of some of his recent products

0:09 - Tap Length

8:20 - Ultimate DAC and new scaler

9:00 - Software solutions

12:27 - Power supplies

23:40 - Measurements on his products

42:50 - Early days in Deltec

47:53 - Singapore food

Kevin Chen

• Products in the pipeline
• High-end products from Fiio
• Fiio R7 AIO unit and SP3 speakers
• Future trends