International Sound & Sight Exhibition 2024 (29 Nov - 1 Dec)

It's that time of the year again! Head down to the International Sound & Sight Exhibition 2024 to experience top-flight audio systems and more.

ISSE 2024 runs from the 29th of November to 1st December at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre (5 minutes walk from Somerset MRT station).

Here are the details of the show :-

Date: 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2024

Time: 11:00am - 7:00pm

Venue: Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. 11 Cavenagh Rd, Singapore 229616

Ticket: $15 / $20 (2-day pass)

Tickets sold on-site by Sound & Sight Journal

This year's sampler disc features our very own Chloe Chua and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra performing Butterfly Lovers & Paganini. Buy the two day pass and you will get the special UPM AG CD version created from the glass master personally handled by Aik, founder of Hugo Productions.

Here is a walk-around video of the rooms :-

And here are the pictures and write-up :-

First, we have the large rooms on B1.

Hifi.com.sg

Tunes were being played courtesy of the Audionote turntable, Airtight amplification and Avantgarde speakers. The ATM-2211 monoblocs were especially handsome.

Simplicity Control

Luxman electronics and Magico speakers make for an especially beautiful sounding combination! 

Ong Radio

For some reason, B&W 800 series speakers were featured in more than one room. Paired with McIntosh electronics, this setup sounded really good and effortless. 

Audio Maestro

Keeping things strictly in the family, this was a setup made out of Ansuz, Aavik, Borresen and Axxess.

Element 5

The Barefoot Sound active speakers really impressed. If you want to keep your setup simple and like studio neutrality, do give these a listen.  

Jolida and Starke Sound

Then, on to the 8th floor.

AV One

If you love displays, you cannot help but fall in love with the Hifi Rose. The streamer's display is huge and the partnering DAC made me feel like I was in a laboratory. The Chord amplification looked like a million bucks (its actually priced at a fraction of that), making the traditional looking Dynaudio speakers seem conservative in comparison. 

Daring hi-fi stunt #1 has to go to this setup. The Wiim Amp was powering the Focal Aria Evo X No. 1. Since the Wiim has a built-in streamer, that's about it, just throw in an internet connection, speaker stands and cabling. It sounded far better than you would think. 

Bjorn Hegelstad of Isotek was giving an insightful talk about the company's products as well as the need for power conditioning. He made an interesting point about the proliferation of EV vehicle chargers and solar power systems, and the electrical noise they put out into the environment. 

Eversolo's new flagship AIO streamer and preamp, the A10.

Live Acoustics

Aqua streamer, Swix Audio Design DAC, Line Magnetic amplification and a custom-built horn speaker system made for one of Live Acoustic's customers. I've always liked the steampunk industrial design of Line Magnetic's products. 

Acuslik-labor

I attended a demo in one of the previous ISSE shows. These tweaks really work!

Yamaha Singapore

The Yamaha S-3000 speakers were sounding fine. Switching between digital and analog, both playback sources sounded great. The GT-5000 turntable was fitted out with a DS Audio optical cartridge. The DS Audio phono stage was physically as large as the Yamaha components. 

Reference Audio

The Wilson Benesch speakers had definitely been working out in the gym. It's workout partners were Isotek, Melco, Wattson Audio and Gryphon. 

Horizon Acoustics and CD Acoustics

A notebook computer was used to run Roon, with USB output to the Aries Cerat Helene DAC. The Aries Cerat Protos amplifier was driving the Harbeth SHL5plus XD. Lessloss power conditioners were also used. 

Meticulous attention to equipment support and bass corner trapping resulted in an especially transparent and natural sound. Remember only to use hifi-grade crates and cardboard boxes for best effect. Oh, if you are sharp-eyed, you will notice the Tungsten Groove footers, Lessloss, Verstarr and Luna Noir cabling. Hidden from view are the QSA power accessories and fuses. 

Infinite Sound

Very pleasing sound. It's been a while since I've seen Audio Physic speakers. 

SIVA

That looks like a Tannoy Kensington GR with supertweeter. 

Jay Audio

This setup was really nice. Somehow, all the B&W speaker setups sounded great this year. The Marantz 10 series line-up is special. I attended the product presentation given by Massimo at another media event and the attention to detail is amazing. The copper mesh on the power amp is visually stunning. 

Audio Maestro

The wedge-shaped speakers reminded me a bit of Spica speakers of the past. These Audiovector speakers were very natural and comfortable to listen to. 

Sky Audio

Steve Sai decided to give Point Audio a run for their money for daring hi-fi stunts. Streaming Youtube via Bluetooth would have most audiophiles running for the door. The audience though was enthralled by the sheer dynamics and liveliness of this setup. 

Other than the Aurorasound electronics, the rest of the gear was new to me. We have Coherent Audio speakers and a Beoneway CD 3.2 player and Bluetooth receiver.

Aural Designs

The Sonus Faber Concertino is back, with a 30th anniversary edition. As you would expect from Sonus Faber, it's made of solid walnut and leather. I was already in the hobby when the speaker was first released, so now I really feel old. Here, the Italian beauty was paired with a Teac source and Audio Research amplification. 

Absolute Sound

Sonus Faber speakers with a full Esoteric stack. Why choose black or white when you can have both? 

X Audio

Aurender's new A-1000 was used as a digital transport, fed directly into the Mola Mola Kula integrated amp with the optional DAC unit installed. The speakers used were the Vivid Audio Kaya 45. The Phasemation 300B amplifier was not playing when I visited.

The crowd was suitably entertained and awed by the Acoustic Revive RHR-21 Acoustic Resolution Exciter (who comes up with these names?). As a long-time Vivid Audio speaker owner, it wouldn't be fair for me to praise the sound. Go have a listen and be the judge.   

Thank you for reading and see you at next year's ISSE!