The setting up the most anticipated hifi shop in KL has been progressing quite well. Recently, I had the opportunity to chit chat with TK Han and Shaiful Anuar of YY Sounds Systems about their shop and also other hifi related topics. On a Saturday, 29th July, I spent tth morning with both of them and also a fellow hifi enthusiasts Wahyudhy Zukara discussing about their vision of this shop especially on making it as Asia central hub for Gryphon.
We started off with TK Han explaing the set up they have in the shop now ranging from Gryphon, CH Precision, Magico and TechDAS among others.
We then proceed with the chit chat on the following:
The overall plan of YY Sound Systems in setting up tth shop in GLOMAC mall.
Level of sound treatment. They are going more towards a live ambient for the set up.
The challenges they face in achieving the sound they want guests to experience
How they choose test tracks
Analog vs digital sources
The hifi experience they offer to guests
We ended the session with a listening session to both digital and analogue sources.
If you wish to experience the YY Sound Systems hifi experience, please contact Mr. Shaiful Anuar 0172723036 to set an appointment.
The ATLAS Sound and Vision lifestyle outlet in The Gardens Mall is not a typical hifi shop. I have been frequenting this shop for many years to purchase various BOSE products from wireless headphones to noise cancelling ones to bedroom lifestyle units. I also purchased my Bluesound bedroom units in a more recent years. So, when Megat invited me to listen to the DALI flagship KORE speakers, I was a bit puzzled. Nevertheless, the specific listening event happened during my busy business trips time, hence I missed it. Nevertheless, Megat was accommodating to have me come and listen to the set up on a later date. THANK YOU Megat!
I actually listened to these speakers in the previous KLIAV show in 2022 where it was paired with an NAD amp if I was not mistake. It did sound very majestic indeed. Now, in this shop, this speakers were paired with Devialet Expert Pro amplifier which is another brand that had always amazes me with its look and sound quality.
Although I played several test tracks, playing this track Soolaiman by Neil Diamond was the highlight of the session. The drums and percussion sounded full and delivered with such speed and accuracy. It really got my feet thumping away. Neil's vocal was also really engaging and the overall musical presentation was in fact again, majestic! In fact, I do feel the Devialet gave a better performance to pairing the KORE with the NAD amplifier in the past set up.
This was not a full assessment of the set up but more of a casual listening session in which I enjoyed it. The KORE is one fine speakers in every aspect of musical delivery an aesthatic looks. Its a masterpiece that demands a room that matches its performance.
This set up is not a permanent feature in this shop, so better give them a call first if you intend to listen the KORE.
The products from Audio Group Denmark (AGD) have been making waves in this part of the world in the past couple of years. Borresen, Aavik and Ansuz are the 3 main brands under AGD that local audiophiles have been entertained by in the past few hifi events. Now, the 4th brand have been introduced under the AGD, named AXXESS. This new brand was introduced to further expand the AGD fans demograhics through a entry level concept to the AGD sound.
On Saturday 8th July, Audio Perfectionist held a launch event, not only for AXXESS but also the Borresen X3 speakers. AXXESS first model is the FORTE all in one streamer and integrated amplifier. There were 2 sessions held , one at 2 to 4 pm and the other is at 4 to 6 pm.
According to Kenny, the FORTE amplifier which has 3 models (1, 2 and 3) is targeted for those who aims for simplicity and an avid streaming fan. The FORTE is equipped with UMAC (TM) technology to ensure stability, reliability and precision. The streamer section is derived from Aavik streamer module and contains high quality capacitors and does not use any microcomputers to reduce unwanted noise. The FORTE is also equipped with a class A headphone amplification. The FORTE offers 3 digital inputs (1 toslink, 1 BNC SPDIF, 1 USB), 1 RC pre out, 1 headphone jack 1/4" and 2 USB A inputs. It does not have a wireless module though so you will need an ethernet cable plugged into it to make the streamer work.
The X3 speakers is the entry level of the newly launched Borresen X Series speakers. The speaker design includes 1 x Borresen planar ribbon tweeter, 1 bass/mid 4.5" driver and 2 x 4.5" bass drivers. Eventhough the X series is set to be the entry level for Borresen speakers, it does not in any way given less attention in its design to deliver the unique Borresen sound to it.
For a demo of the FORTE and X3, please visit Audio Perfectonist in Petaling Jaya (Unit 91-1, Block H, Jaya One, Jln Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor) or Audio Maestro in Adelphi, Singapore.
Its like the HiFi and AV industry in Malaysia is back into the good old days. More and more shops are bringing in more variety to the audiophiles. A long pending components to be open to the fans are the TAD R1TX speakers, M700S stereo power amp, DA10000TX DAC and also the full suite of Innuos Products. Although TAD has been traditionally part of Audio Visual Designs Sdn. Bhd list of brands, the Innuous has just came onto the list and is now officially available for demo and purchase for local fans.
On Friday 7th July, these products have been officially launched at their outlet. Attended by the usual audiophiles and other media reps, the full capability of the set up was demoed to all attendees.
Excerpt of the event report from my article in hifi4sale.net is as below:
'Audio Visual Designs Sdn Bhd (AV Designs), the official distributor of TAD Laboratory products in Malaysia, launched the R1TX flagship speakers along with the M700S power amp and DA1000TX DAC on July 7. Apart from these TAD products, AV Designs also launched the full suite of Innuos products into the Malaysian market. AV Designs only recently took up the Innuos distributorship.
The launch event started with a quick recap of the R1 speakers' evolution over the past 16 years, followed by an introduction to the Innuous products. Guests and media folks were then entertained with various music genres prepared and presented by local hi-fi celeb Joseph Ki.
The original R1 came out in 2007, followed by R1MK2 in 2012 when the woofer cone design was upgraded. The R1MK2 remain as TAD's reference speaker until 2019, after which the R1TX was officially launched. However, due to the pandemic that followed, the R1TX could only be brought into Malaysia this year.
Although the R1TX retains the original cabinet design, TAD has enhanced its forming and processing method for the baffle. This new cabinet is made by Tendo Mokko, where the reinforcement and fitting methods were improved; the side to back panel configuration was also changed from three pieces to two. Besides these, TAD also enhanced the woofer suspension system. The R1TX comes in a full black design, apart from the traditional wood design on the side panels.
The M700S was also launched in 2019 by TAD but only reach our shores early this year. This stereo power amplifier (a mono version is also available) replaces the M600 which was launched back in 2009. The enhancements include an upgraded transformer from 2kVA to 2.8kVA, increased wattage from 600W to 700W, aluminium chassis instead of iron and also a new spike construction.
On the source side, the full Innuos suite of streaming solutions is now available officially in Malaysia. During the launch, the flagship Statement model was used as the source for the demo of the TAD set up. The Statement is a two-piece dedicated streaming unit with a separate power supply box. This brand from Portugal is not new name to streaming fans in Malaysia. The full range, from the entry-level called PULSEmini to the Statement, is now available from AV Designs.'
AV Designs has also taken the liberty to list Bassacontinuo HiFi racks as one of the brands on their list.
When I lookd at the size of the speakers, I had a concern of an overwhelming bass response. I am not fond of bass that gives out literally a physical impacton my body. One of those too hard of hitting that it makes it uncomfortable to listen to. But not with these TAD R1TX. Excellent balance of low frequency response coupled with high clarity in the mids and highs. The bass drum and also the percussion sounded really enegrized going through this system. It really gets me going, bringing me back to my younger days of clubbing. Now, on another piece, the sound of saxophone was really melodious and engaging. It matches well with the Innuos source.
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Sampler 1
Sampler 2
For a demo session, please contact AV Designs (03-6241 1237).
