YL Audio have been around for quite some time now and always known to be home of Kronos, Absolare and the one of a kind Ocean Five blue speakers, featured in manay KLIAV shows. Fans of these brands usually will have to either visit a Kronos owner or visit James Chin's home. However, now audiophiles can visit their new show room at Ten Kinrara Residence, Unit C-02-02, Jalan BK 5A/2D, Bandar Kinrara.
In conjunction with the Kronos head honcho, Louis Desjardins visit to Malaysia, YL Audio organised a Kronos Discovery Presentation for media and audiophiles on 19th March 2023. Attendees get to see and admire the full Kronos solution in a more exclusive ambient. We also get to listen to Louis sharing on the design and how it all came about.
What is an audio event without a good meal right? All of us headed out to lunch in a nearby kopitiam. James, being the good host, treated us for a nice meal and a very friendly and cozy restaurant. At the end of the day, the audiophile camaraderie is what we are here for.
To experience the ultimate Kronos Audio Discovery solution, please call James Chin on 012-3712699
I first got to know about this tonearm during a live online Chit Chat session with the man himself, Louis Desjardins during the pandemic lockdown. I then was given the chance to listen to this Kronoscope RS tonearm in Munich High End show in May 2022. After a few years of owning the Kronos Sparta, I feel that it is time for Kronos to provide the option for me and other Sparta owners to squeeze out more music from our LP collection. So, when James Chin of YL Audio brought in a unit for the KLIAV Show in 2022, I told myself that I need to give this tonearm a listen in my own set up. Soon enough, James was kind enough to set it up in my home.
When I thought the Helena tonearm was light, this Kronoscope RS tonearm is even lighter. I was having trouble to get the right alignment as the the ZYX Omega cartridge was too light for the tonearm. Had to really adjust the counterweight to ensure the right weight is distributed onto the cartridge. But once that is done, I was in for one of the greatest upgrade I have done on my set up.
The design itself is already physically pleasant to look at. A notable change compared to the Helena and definitely a huge step up in the looks department. But beauty alone cannot justify this upgrade plan unless it delivers something more than the Helena.
THE SESSION
I chose 4 tracks to test the limit of this Kronscope RS tonearam:
1. Bali Run by Fourplay
2. Take Five by Dave Brubeck
3. Don't Want A Miss Thing by Aerosmith
4. Era Gio Tutto Previsto by Andrea Bocelli
Sampler 1 - Bali Run by Fourplay
Putting on this masterpiece through the new tonearm was a jaw dropping experience as it really opens up more clarity and musicality which I thought was already impossible to get more from the Sparta. The bass sounded fuller and more bodied with the overall presentation leans towards openness and sounded bigger and livelier. The drums sounded sharp and on tone. The guitar works also sounded really melodious compared to my previous Helena tonearm.
Sampler 2 - Take Five
This to me was the highlight of the review. Take Five sounded extremely good playng through this tonearm. It really engaged me throughout the track. The bassline was rich, deep and tight at the same time. It really extended the low frequency spectrum which made the whole experience a deeply engaged one. The tonearm somehow allows the ZYX cartridge to extract more music from the LP. The saxophone sounded so airy and lively that I really felt like I was in a live concert. The snare sounded sharp, solid but at the same time maintained that sazzy sound of the wires beneath it. The toms sounded original enough as the hollowness of the classic set up really transpired as intended to through this Kronscope RS tone arm.
Sampler 3 - Dont Want Miss A Thing
For the sake of challenging the Kronoscope RS towards a universal performance ability, I put on this track by Aerosmith to see how the tonearm performs with modern rock ballad. Steven Tyler's vocal stood up melodiuosly which it was a surprise to me. I was not expecting for the Kronoscope RS to open up this track to this level. The drums on this track also sounded really crisp and on tone. The guitar works however was not really represented adequately as it sounded a little bit laid back. Somehow, the vocal overpowered the overall tracks a bit.
Sampler 4 - Era Gio Tutto Previsto by Andrea Bocelli
Andrea's stunning vocal became even more mesmerizing using the Kronoscope RS tonearm. His deep voice sounded even more emotional than before. It goes really deep to uplift his vocal to a much more livelier presentation. The tonearm somehow opens up more the details of this track with no sign of his vocal overwhelming the instruments. It was all balanced that it gave me the goosebumps listening to this track over and over again.
THE CONCLUSION
A MUST BUY for any Kronos turntable owners. I had no second thoughts to place an order after the first few tracks playing. (At the point of this review, my new unit have arrived but have to install). At USD 14,000, it is not cheap for my standard but 2 years of pandemic, I managed to save up a bit to put this on my shopping list for 2022 actually. This tonearm is not just another tonearm. It is a well engineered unit that really gives out a more musical extraction to my Kronos Sparta.
All the different genres I have played, it gives out more openness, livelier, more solid bass and clarity of sound that I have not heard on my Helena tonearm before. Kronos Audio keeps on designing new innovative components that will provide more and more musicality to Kronos turntable.
To sum up, Kronoscope RS is an Innovation Done Right!
The pandemic impacted not only major industries globally but also our beloved hifi industry. Some are negative and some are positive. For the founder of Kronos Audio, Louis Desjardins the past 1 and 1/2 years have proven to be a period where more engineering wonders have emerged from his passion of music enjoyment. He has translated that passion into the latest addition to the Kronos turntable line up - The Discovery.
I had the pleasure to chit chat with him to hear more about this latest design. In this 45 minutes chit chat, Louis shared his experience in coming up with another step up in analogue performance from the previous Sparta and Pro turntables. This include the chassis and the electronics behind it and also the Kronoscope tonearm.
Louis also explained on what to be expected from The Discovery compared to previous models. Saying the The Discovery is total revamp is an understatement. This is not a limited edition model but its more as an exclusive edition as it will go into a more restricted market.
Louis also shared his exciting plans for existing Pro owners to upgrade to the new Discovery model.
Specific to Malaysia, given that we already could not organised 2 KLIAV shows (2020 and 2021), Louis is still hoping the global borders will start to open up soon and he will come to Malaysia and share more about the Discovery.
Currently, there are already a few units being sent out for reviews in USA and also the UK. There are also a few units already being sent out to new buyers!
Have a listen to this chit chat to know more about the new Discovery.
What can I say? I still love Kronos. I mean everything about it, just make sense. Even the price is relatively attractive for a high end equipment. After a few years since its debut in Malaysia, the Kronos brand dealership has landed to Perfect Hifi effective 18th May 2018.
To commemerate the occasion, Perfect Hifi hosted a launch event at their KL branch where Kronos legend, Louis Desjardin was in town to give an update of whats new. The event was done on 19th May where most of the hifi who's who was present including Mr. Dick Tan, Erik Goh, Lam Seng Fatt, Dato Danon, Yong Fan Shing etc.
It was a simple do but an exciting one as for the first time, I get to experience the new Kronos phono stage among other enhacements to the Kronos Pro. Paired with Audio Research and Sonus, the audience were generally amazed with the clarity and 'quietness' of the Kronos.
Louis was his usual jovial self and explained to the audience what is the meaning of a complete and true analogue source. The basis of the design is to reproduce, as close as possible to the original master tape. The Kronos Reference Phono Amp is a 2 chassis design that sits firmly on a Kronos SCPS stands that was designed to isolate resonance.
While we wait for the glorious sound to be show cased in the upcoming KLIAV show 2018, have a listen here.
It was the time of the year again where audiophiles, headfi-ers and AV nutheads locally and neighbouring countries would be in JW Marriot hotel to attend the Kuala Lumpur International AV Show, organised by 3DotEvent. Its a 3 days (22nd to 24th July) event and Yes! It was done after hari raya and fasting month.
Due to work commitment, I could only attend on Saturday 23rd July. I arrived at 1015 am and met up with Mr. Dick Tan first, looking sharp in a suit as usual.
Again this year, I was given the chance to be in the show as a press member. Thanks Mr. Dick Tan. I went down to the GF to kick start my visit cum exploration. A bit disappointed that I was not allowed to enter a second time after I went out for lunch. Was stopped by an unfamiliar staff saying that Press was only allowed in on Friday 22nd July. But at the same time, he didn't really know where and who he needs to clarify with that I was there on duty. He kept asking me to go to the registration booth. It was embarrassing and I kind of lost the mood to listen to more systems. But I kept calm and after about 5 minutes, a senior staff came out and explained to him that its OK for me to go in. A brief explanation from the senior staff indicated that there were incidents where the Press member passed their tag to others to gain free access!
My personal objective:
To demo 4K display and purchase a UHD BD player
To finally get into an Dolby ATMOS and DTS-X set up and demo SVS Elevation Speakers on its debut here
To demo the combo of Kronos (and its new PSU) with Absolare amps
To demo Musical Fildeity ENCORE system
To find bargain LPs and Bluray discs
The prizes for the lucky draw. I never win though :(
Samsung
A big disappointment for me and the FB Komuniti Blu Ray Disc of Malaysia as we have to continue to wait for the availability of a UHD BD player. Samsung had a player on demo here but still no news on the launch date in Malaysia.
The usual bargain section of Desa Home Theater was also there but it looks like the discount level is not as attractive as last year. Maybe due to the weaker currency we have now.
I was a bit skeptical on this room at the beginning, knowing that the sound in last year's bigger room was not as per my expectation. But, Steve Chua has managed to set up this Naim Statement system with much improvement that made me quite impressed with Naim. Bass was taut, mids were crisp and the highs was just sweet and luscious. Steve have managed to transcend this system to a level that shows more of its potential. Congrats Steve Chua.
For those who follow my blog, should know by now what Musical Fidelity means to me. Year in year out, I feel slight disappointment not to see MF in its true glory in this AV show. This year, A&L presented the Nuvista top notch series of MF, coupled with Dali speakers. For a CD based system, I find this set up was quite the sound that I am very familiar with but much more meaty. However, I was looking forward to hear the latest product of MF which is the ENCORE all in one system. Unfortunately, A&L did not manage to get this on time for the show.
Another British brand that I miss dearly in the past few years. This year they came back with a bang. The AVR can really shake one's booty with its powerful bass reproduction. I thought that they installed 2 subwoofers in the room. Turn out to be NO subwoofer at all. However, they should have gotten a bigger room to properly display its true potential.
Another brand that needs no introduction. One of those brands that you will not mistake it for another. From its casing design to its sound signature. Clean, transparent and honest music reproduction.
Three rooms! Audio Art took three rooms to set up 2 hifi systems and 1 home theater system.
The Heco and BMC already impressed me last year. And this year, it just got better especially with Eric Suh explaining to me about of the Heco design. The first combo of Heco and BMC sounded really authoritative, good control on low and high notes with quite an upfront mids. Was also surprise that they managed to present the system with high clarity in this small room. Kudos on their effort in acoustic management.
HECO Concerto Grosso
With David Kestez and Eric Suh - Who is briefing who?
Behold the glory of BMC!
At this price, it can match a number of more expensive speakers!
The Heco Direkt speakers - my new obsession. I want them to be in my house.
Simple and retro design with punch and poise that can match a number of traditional shaped speakers.
I was fully impressed with the capability of these retro looking speakers. With high WAF and adaptability to a living room deco, these pair could sell itself. The sound was mesmerizing with high clarity, sufficient bass production and sweet luscious presentation of vocal. Very much the sound you would want to listen to with no fatigue and relaxing mood.
Max Loh and Yoon Tat did it again this year. With an unorthodox approach of subwoofer+speaker+amp wiring set up.For those who managed to experience the surround sound of this SVS and Denon system, you might be wondering on how the bass was produced with such punch and impact bass kick. All I can say, the sub was not connected directly to the Denon sub out as the normal practice. Contact Max for further info on this unorthodox set up.
And of course.... the debut of SVS Elevation Speakers...which yours truly already have a pair as front upfiring speakers for my recent Dolby ATMOS and DTS-X upgrade. ..... and the sound is truly amazing. These are not just acting like presence speakers. Its actually reproduce the atmos signal as it was intended for.
The two usual headphones distributor Jaben and Star Pickers Audio made various headphones and headphones amps available for demo and testing. I had another listen of the Audeze EL8 as I was eyeing for it since last year. But again this year, I some how got put off by the 'non-responsive' staff of Star Picker for a second year in a row. Requested for the cable to the headphones and waited for 10 minutes and they just entertained some other visitor who came in after me. The same thing happened last year. Maybe I have to be active again in the headfi scene before getting some basic respond.
To drown my sorrow of non existence of UHD BD player and ownership of Audeze EL8, I ended up with some retail therapy on the various LP stalls. 25 pieces.... and still listening to them.
PMC Twenty5.24 with Bryston Electronics by AV Design
This is what I call simplicity at its best. James Tan and Tony Low have never failed to impress me with how they set things up. These newly launched speakers have definitely leaped into a higher level compared to its predecessor Twenty series. Made me thinking of upgrading my Twenty.23 to these. The slim PMC cabinet and its transmission line technology sounded big even in a decently sized room. No struggle at all to deliver substantial, rich and luscious sound.
Yes Tauke James, PMC is also in my heart.
..................And on the AV side, this is where I experienced the the true 4K experience. AV Design imported a UHD player from US and feed it into the latest JVC 4K projectors and displayed it on to a high curve projector screen. This video does not justify its true magnificent display, but you can imagine how frustrated I am that UHD player have yet to be launched in Malaysia.
Happy to see the participation of the Malaysian company APS that provides engineered racks and stands for your audio needs. I reviewed one of their speaker stands a few moons back and I can say that if I ever go back to bookshelf speakers, I will get an APS.
The Mighty KRONOS Pro, ABSOLARE 845s, SKOGRAND and Frank Powerbank - HiFi Creations Increased the Performance Bar
This must be the new benchmark of audio set up in a show, at least for Malaysia. Not only the sound stage but the overall professional, high class, luxurious look of the room as well. With a guest reception area separated from the main listening hall, it made me feel like walking into a prestigious red carpet event.
Victor Pheh of HiFi Creation have thought through almost every aspect of the show. From having the principal of the Kronos and Absolare brands to the usherettes that woo the visitor with their charm. On the technical side, the power management was done with a series Malaysian pride Frank Powerbank.
The sound from Kronos Pro reminded me of the few months I had the Kronos Sparta in my house for a review. Only that this sound even much much more engaging. Very unfortunate that they had issues with the Absolare amp but the level of commitment from the principal was outstanding. He brought in the technician from Turkey immediately to get the unit fixed and it was up and running again on Saturday by 5 pm. I had the opportunity to listen to both set up of Kronos; with Magnet power amps and Absolare 845. I have yet to hear any set up that can match this level of sophistication. Some might argue that the system can sing even much better with other speakers, but the Ocean Five speakers still had a unique musical expression. The overall presentation was musical, airy and excellent sound staging. And not forget to mention that this is and still is the quietest turn table I have ever experienced. I do miss having the Sparta in my house. With the new power supply for the Kronos Pro, it upped the ante to a level that is near perfect in my book.
Congrats to Victor, Louis Desjardin, Kerem Kucukaslan, Frank Voon and James Chin.
Yes....it is a hard work for the press!
Yes Victor, I had the Kronos Sparta in my house and now I am missing it!
Devialet went really big this year with a few visitors went home with this BB8-look-alike sensation. It can go loud effortlessly. filling up a big venue with pure excitement and good sound.
