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!