On 22nd Feb recently, the media press conference was held in The Sunway Putra hotel. Who's who in the local AV industry were present. Excited with the new but old venue, pictures of the AV show from 16 years ago where the show was held in this hotel, previously known as Hotel Legend. It was a really big affair back then as there was a picture where Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin was seen to be gracing the event together with the still young looking Mr. Dick Tan.
There will be the 6th Edition of the KLIAV show CD with every entry ticket purchased at the show.
The show will be held here from 28th to 30th July 2017. There is ample parking within the hotel and mall. Also surrounding areas have lots of parking option.
Hi Res audio is among the theme mentioned for this year. Hope to see Oppo 205 launched there and also maybe QLED and Dolby Vision as well.
.....and when I thought KOGA was disappearing....the designer sent me two new designs.... The first in review is the KOGA Snygg; with the aspiration to further refine the its predecessor D'Bomb. The second is a mini Class D amp called Mykro-D.
BUILT AND SPECIFICATION
The Snygg came in the usual black casing that KOGA Labs always use for it full size design. Very simplified front fascia with just a power button. As this is the prototype, the labels are still handwritten. Kind of heavy for its sized. I reckon weighs about 5 kg unpacked.
The rear house the connections which are standard RCA inputs to be connected to your choice of pre amp. Also, the amp is equipped with speaker terminals for stereo set up. Standard banana plugs can be used here. The power socket is of standard IEC in which you can use your choice of power cable.
The topography of the amp follows a dual mono design with the following specs.
Output Power : 50Wrms + 50Wrms into 4 or 8Ohms.
Total Harmonic Distortion : 0.02%
Frequency Response : 10hz-100KHz
Input Sensitivity : 1Vrms
Input Impedance : 15KOhm
THE SET UP
I connected the Snygg to the following:
Musical Fidelity M6i integrated but in a pre amp mode (most of the time)
Oppo HA-1 pre amp
Source is mainly from SONY HAP Z1 ES Hi Res audio player
Siltech Classic Anniversary 330L speaker cable
MatYeoX interconnects between the pre amp and Snygg
ProAc Response D18
DIY bookshelf speaker
THE TRACKS
Lelaki Teragung by Dayang Nurfaizah (DSD)
Atlas Rise by Metallica (WAV 16//44.1)
Get Lucky by Daft Punk (WAV 16/44.1)
THE SESSION
Lelaki Teragung on D18
With vocal like Dayang Nurfaizah, it benefits from the sonic sound the Snygg provides. Even at high pitch, the Snygg sounds energetic with minimal sibilance. I could do with more bass on this track but refine sound is what I believe Snygg is going for. Her vocal sounds deep and I can even feel the vibrato coming through. The rim shots on the snare was also very natural and the guitar riffs sounds melodic. It gives full justification to this track.
Atlas Rise on D18
It can go loud. Really loud. With Metallica's latest masterpiece Atlas Rise, the impact delivered by Snygg is quite remarkable. It belts out metal tunes with such energetic angst and authority. Again, it does not emphasise on any particular frequency, hence its quite natural sounding. Its definitely not shy when it comes provide sufficient power to create that head banging atmosphere.
Daft Punk on D18
This is one of Louis Desjardin of Kronos favourite track. With a less 'noisy' music, the Snygg gave me a different perspective of bass. As oppose to KOGA's previous d'Bomb, the Snygg is actually a more refined design where the low end frequency tend to be warmer rather than a hard thumping bass. For track like this, it definitely delievered a more relaxed atmosphere without leaving out the details and clarity of the track. Listen to the guitar works on this track. Very crisp and refined as well.
THE CONCLUSIONS
KOGA keeps reminding me about amp efficiency. I do believe higher wattage provides you with enough head room and better control but that is not all. An efficient amp can provide a similar attribute at a lower wattage. Nevertheless, the Snygg came to me as a more neutral amp. It refines the music with sufficient highs and lows without taking away the wow factor. It has enough energy to pump out metal tracks effectively and at the same time melodic enough for ballads. Another fine product of KOGA, worth a demo for those looking for a budget power amp.
I have a confession to make. I am quite ashamed that I have lost touch with the development of the local underground scene. I still follow the scene but mostly the bands that was in my era of growing up and when I was still patronising the local gigs. Names like SilKhannaz, Brain Dead, Nebiras, Silent Death, Carburetor Dung, The Pilgrims, The Bollocks, The Splatters are among the bands that I still spin their music. Coming back to this LP, I was intrigued to see The Pilgrims was in the line up. So, that was my first driver to quickly get a hold of this LP. Second reason was that the Volume 1 was so good as well.
What is the best time to listen to this LP? Of course early in the morning, with a cup of coffee and roti bakar. I started to spin this LP as early as 630 am. Ten bands contributed towards this compilation. All with different genres which made this compilation a very interesting mix. Although it titled as Malaysia underground, this did not stop for the label to include a Singaporean band called Ammarah to join in the fun.
Achtung Riders
Now, as The Pilgrims was the only band on this LP that I am really familiar with, I immediately cued my stylus to the last track on Side A to listen to Achtung Riders. Very refreshing indeed. Its not really the Perfume Garden type of punk rock where Sua Sue Good Morning will make you jump for joy. But its more energetic and heavier than the normal punk rock tune they play. Just listen to the thunderous double pedal throughout the song. The vocal was also clearly presented with a very growly pitch that fits the track nicely. It was not lost in the music mayhem of heavy guitars and drums. It reminded me of Pennywise as I can feel the angst.
Sengsara
Ammarah caught me by surprise as their track was equally superb. The vocal was quite melodic and suits well with the guitar tune. Very impressive lyrics in Malay. Super impressed with how the vocalist pull off this track. Will need to find out more about this band.
It goes the same for the other tracks. Very impressive for a local production. They have improved from the Volume 1 which I already thought was quite good. They must have done quite a lot of work to master/remaster the tracks as it sounded very wholesome with big soundstage but still maintains its rawness. Clarity of vocals, punchy double pedals, roaring guitar leads, shredding rhythm and a hint of bass strings made this LP production one of the better one in the local scene. Seriously, this LP can easily put shame to the recently reissued 'super warped' Ella LP by Warner Music. I guess it pays to remain underground and not controlled by the super capitalist of the local music scene.
Congrats to Vinyl Passion....Beattle Blakk, Shufian and their gang.
Peminat rock kapak tanahair sekali lagi disajikan dengan hidangan LP yang ganaih. Keluar dengan versi tiga warna yakni merah, hitam dan biru, LP Wings berjudul Hukum Karma ini merupakan LP tempatan terbaru yang telah mula diedarkan oleh Zan Din di bulan Disember 2016 untuk versi merah dan hitam. Ini disusuli dengan versi biru yang diedarkan oleh Dream Studio di bawah kelolaan Dato Zaharul Anuar pada penghujung Januari 2017.
Apa bezanya antara ketiga2 versi ini? Semuanya agak sama kecuali versi biru dikeluarkan dengan pakej T-Shirt dan bandana. Di masa yang sama, CD Edisi Emas dengan dua lagu tambahan juga diedarkan pada waktu yang sama (jualan asing).
Taman Rashidah Utama
Saya telah membeli kesemua versi LP ini semata-mata kerana nostalgia membesar dengan alunan muzik Wings. Lebih2 lagi, album ini diperkenalkan kepada saya dalam bentuk kaset oleh abang saya, agak2 sekitar 1988 atau 1989.
Dari segi pengeluaran, kualiti kulit luar dan poster amat memuaskan. Kualiti kulit dalam diperbuat oleh kertas putih. Agak biasa. Untuk versi biru, pengeluaran 100 yang pertama telah di cap dengan nombor bersiri 1 ke 100.
Yang lebih penting sekarang adalah mutu bunyi yang dikeluarkan. Seperti yang kita semua maklum, pengeluaran LP mesti menitiberatkan penjagaan kualiti pada setiap tahap pengeluaran. Setiap tahap akan mempengaruhi mutu audio yang dihasilkan. Apabila lagu Taman Rashidah Utama diputarkan, jelas dapat didengar mutu audio yang agak bertenaga dan pementasan bunyi yang agak luas. Ini dapat didengar dari bunyi hujan semasa pembukaan lagu ini. Satu kelebihan LP ini ialah fokusnya terhadap vokal Dato Awie yang diketengahkan. Selain itu, bunyi paluan deram oleh Black amat padu bunyinya dan tidak berkecamuk atau dalam istilah Inggeris muffled sound. Setiap paluan tom2 dan pedal kaki amat bertenaga. Gorengan gitar Joe pula walapun nyaring, ia adalah di tahap yang sesuai untuk menonjolkan konsep rock kumpulan Wings.
Hikayat Penuh Ranjau
Terus terang saya nyatakan, lagu kegemaran saya dalam album ini bukanlah Taman Rashidah Utama atau Misteri Mimpi Syakila. Lagu kegemaran saya adalah Hikayat Penuh Ranjau. Melodi yang rock tapi indah ini berserta dengan lirik yang mudah, serba sedikit mempunyai kesan peribadi buat saya. Di sini juga, mutu audio yang dilahirkan memperketengahkan vokal Dato Awie yang garau dan rock dengan amat baik. Petikan bass oleh Eddie juga agak melodik di dalam lagu ini.
Secara keseluruhannya, pengeluaran LP agak bagus. Ada sedikit kelemahan dari segi bahagian nada tinggi tetapi ia tidaklah mencacatkan pengalaman mendengar lagu-lagu di dalam LP ini.
Kepada peminat rock tanah air, LP ini haruslah menjadi sebahagian dari koleksi LP anda. Belilah jikalau anda memang pengguna LP sebagai sumber musik anda. Untuk membeli LP ini, bolehlah hubungi Dream Studio atau melalui Raja2 LP Malaysia di Facebook seperti Sezali Zakaria, Jpari Din, Zan Din dan ramai lagi.
Frasa kunci di sini adalah - Edisi Terhad! Apabila kesemua stok telah dijual, tiada lagi pengeluaran akan dibuat. Jikalau tidak silap, hanya 1000 keping dihasilkan untuk semua versi digabungkan.
Terima kasih khas buat Dato Zaharul dari Dream Studio dan juga Zan Din kerana berusaha untuk mengeluarkan LP keramat ini.
