It has been more than 1 years since my last visit to AV Designs. So, when I had the day off on Xmas eve, I did not miss the chance to visit and get updated with their latest set up and offerings. In the past 1 year, AV Designs have brought in a number of new names under their belt - ARCAM, Lexicon, JBL, ASCENDO etc.
SET UP 1
In the smaller HT room, AV Designs have set up a 5.5.2 speaker configurations using JBL HDI-3800 fronts, HDI-4500 centre speakers, ASCENDO CCM5-P surround and ATMOS speakers and SV12 subs. All driven by ARCAM FMJ AVR.
I was entertained by 5.5.2 and 5.3.2 settings and I prefer the latter as it provided a more relaxing but still punchy experience. The ported ASCENDO SV12 subs provides a more extensive low frequency but hard hitting bass is not its forte. This is actually my preference as I get uncomfortable if the bass is a really hard hitting physically.
My main amazement came from the fronts HDI 3800 fronts. Looking at the top horns on them, I was worried that it would be too sharp on my ears especially during blasting of movie tracks. However, to my surprise, the speakers did not sound 'horny' at all. Very musical in fact when playing concert movies.
The second part is the ASCENDO surround speakers. The unique design disperse the effects in all direction, providing a more realistic surround ambient as oppose to a unidirectional sound form the unit itself.
All of these were driven by an ARCAM FMJ AVR (no longer in production but wait for my review of the AVR20).
SET UP 2
In the main room, a 7.7.4 set up was the main highlight of my visit there. With PMC remains as the LCR speakers, the subs were 4 units ASCENDO SMS G18, 1 unit of SMSG24 and 2 units of SMSG15 and the surround and ATMOS speakers are ASCENDO CCRM6P. All were driven by the JBL Synthesis SDP55 processor and PMC Active amps (LCR) and Bryston power amps.
I have seen the evolution of this room ever since AV Designs was in Rohas Perkasa. Many different speakers and AVR were installed previously but I must say, this is the best set up I have experience in this particular room thus far. With the calibration done properly, the ambient of any movies played through this set up is so natural that I felt like there live sounds around me and not coming from any speakers. (Refer to El Hefe HiFi Review Facebook for video samples)
SET UP 3
The open area hosts a number of new speakers and hifi equipment. I was particularly attracted to the newly opened, Limited Edition for Malaysia and Singapore only, Falcon Acoustics Maida Vale speakers. Only 10 units in the shop now with total 50 units only to be produced.
There was also the huge JBL Model 4349 Studio Monitor on static display and also ARCAM ST60 streamer being played through PMC Cor amp and PMC Fact 12. Of course, I cant resist but to take home the streamer for a review.
Why not start 2022 with something special for your hifi set up? Head down to AV Designs and request a demo for any of these items you fancy.
H-2-6, Block H, Boulevard Business Park, No. 115, Jalan Kepayang 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There have always been debates on cables, may it be power cables or even speakers cables and interconnects. Does it make a different in one's system? How can a short power cable makes a different when power supply from utility company is as raw as it can be with some of the toughest industrial cables being used? Yes, I had a series of power cables being installed in my system, ranging el cheapo came in the box cables to 5 figures priced cables as well. My resident cables are a mixture of Siltech and QED. In my experience, each power cable that came into my system, it does give me different experience. It is however a matter of whether it is significant enough for me to actually spend more on new power cables when my existing ones are already doing its job for my pleasure.....
.................until Chorus Audio contacted me.
The Siltech and QED have been in my system for over 10 years and whilst there were many other power cables that came in throughout those years for review, I never changed them. However, with these 2 Chorus Audio power cables, I am finding it a bit hard to return them.
Read on....
Chorus Audio is locally brewed, professionally hand made with over 30 years of passion in audio. The cables are made from few types of cables and hand weaving technique with triple insulations. For the 2 power cables I received (Moonlight Reference and Moonglow), both of them are copper based but Moonlight Reference is combination of solid core and multicore combination of OCC while Moonglow is only using multicore pure copper.
The craftmanship is actually of high professional level. Very sturdy and have high level of stiffness (Moonlight Ref). On the other hand, Moonglow is more flexible. The sleeve on the Moonlight is a matter of personal preference. To me its OK but some might say its leaning towards unattractive :). Most importantly, both ends are terminated properly and it fits well into my units and also Furutech US plug points.
THE SET UP
The Moonlight is recommended to be used with an amplifier while Moonglow can be used for amp or sources. For this review, I tried the following:
Moonlight - SPL Audio Performance Power Amp
Moonglow - SPL Direct Mk2 pre amp, McIntosh MCD350 SACD player and HiFi Rose RS150 streamer
The best impact to me is to use the Moonglow with the HiFi ROSE RS150.
At the point of review, the cables have been run in for more than 300 hours easily.
THE TRACKLIST
Easy on Me by Adele - TIDAL MQA
Enter Sandman by Metallica - WAV 24/96
Whiskey In The Jar by Metallica - WAV 16/44
Take Five by Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band - TIDAL MQA
Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman - WAV 16/44
THE SESSION
Easy on Me
This is my latest favorite track. Something about Adele that I feel no other singer can deliver is how she relates her personal experience in her performance. With the introduction of these 2 Chorus Audio power cables, I feel that the delivery of of Adele's vocal sounded sweeter and more luscious with lots of energy behind it. Cleaner performance as I can get really engaged to Adele's husky voice when she belts out the chorus. This is a simple song with piano, a bit of percussion and bass but the power cables really opened up my system and provide a bigger staging and made the track sounded large, bold and 'full'.
Enter Sandman
Now that I feel the power cables can really make a laid back song like Easy on Me to sound lively and energised, I like to see how will an already energized song like Enter Sandman will sound like. To my surprise, my system continue to sound very open and at the same time, the low end spectrum sounded even more solid and controlled. I just love the sound of the toms and bass drum being played by Lars on this track. Sounded full, bold and heart pounding indeed. Clarity is another aspect that I find was further enhanced after using these power cables.
Whiskey In The Jar
Just to ensure my ears are not playing tricks on me with Enter Sandman, I then played Whiskey In The Jar. Although I did not get the same experience with Enter Sandman (somehow did not feel the same level of energy), the open presentation was still there but a little thin on the bass. Lars drums did not sound as impactful as on Enter Sandman. The overall sound was a little bit too laid back to my liking. Clarity was still evident with clear and cleaner vocal by James. The heavy guitar riffs also sounded a little bit thin. Could it be because Enter Sandman was played on hi res while this was on 16/44 ripped from CD? Maybe.
Take Five
While I usually use the original Take Five by Dave Brubeck for reviews, I decided to use this upbeat version given the fun and livelier sound I am getting using these power cables by Chorus Audio. The delivery of the brass instruments and saxaphone is the highlight as oppose to the percussion from the original version. With this track, the power cables again open up my system even wider but the beauty of it is actually, it does not loose any grip on the bass. Very often I feel that when a system opens more, it looses its grip on either the bass or mids. Not with these Chorus Audio power cables. Its like I am in a club and the band is asking me to get up and put on my dancing shoes and dance along with this upbeat tune.
Time To Say Goodbye
Can't complete a review until I play my all time favorite track. This is when I can confirm that the addition pf these power cables have elevated the sound experience in my system particularly on tracks with vocal as its main strength. Sarah's vocal in which can be a bit ear pinching if played on a bright system, did not show any signs of that but instead, the same energy that I felt from previous track was again evident in this track. Cleaner vocals with an injection of energy behind it that made the overall performance to be livelier and engaging. Andrea's vocal also benefitted as his deep voice was further refined, delivering a remarkable blend into the music and compliments Sarah's vocals too. Mesmerizing indeed.
THE CONCLUSION
Both these Chorus Audio Moonlight Reference and Moonglow definitely have something special in it. It has really open up my system even further without deteriorating the bass that I love from my PMC speakers. It did wonders to vocals sweetness and enhance the engagement of music. Clarity is another aspect that I find to have improved too. At first, I was a little bit confused as these cables are copper based (which I believe will usually enhance the low frequency spectrum) but what I am hearing is more emphasis on mids and highs, bringing out the clarity even further and also vocals. However, after many hours of listening through various genres, I can conclude that what it really does is creating a 'cleaner' environment for the music to be reproduced by the system.
Overall, I feel these power cables will help to open up many systems that may sound a little closed in or struggling with sound staging. If anyone feels that their system is a bit restricted and less engaging, these power cables may be something that you want to try to audition in your system.
If you are interested to know more or would like purchase these cables, you can either Whatsapp Chorus Audio on +60 11-7010 9244 or email them at info.chorusaudio@gmail.com
How much you ask? If it was based on the impact I get, I initially thought these cables will hit 5 figures. Lo and behold.....Chorus Audio is giving a promo price now....
Moonlight Reference - RM1699
Moonglow - RM550
Seriously, what are you waiting for? Chorus Audio just need at least 1 week for Moonglow and 3 weeks for Moonlight to hand make your order. If the materials are available upon ordering, it can be as fast as 3 days.
