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.
This is not a typical hifi or HT review as it is more the essentials behind it which is the Internet quality especially for video streaming.
While my previous Internet hardware of a router downstairs and a repeater upstairs seems to do the job for 4K and TIDAL streaming, the seamless connectivity has diminished eversince WFH started in March 2020. With 4 MS Team users and 1 Zoom user concurrently, plus Netflix, Apple TV, TIDAL and Spotify usage, buffering and 'internet not available' issues seems to be getting worst by the day. This happens even with a full wifi signal bar can be seen on my devices.
Video call drops, unable to finish a streaming movie, TIDAL drops, video on YT and on FB not loading....are some of the issues that has become unbearable.
I had read and watched videos about ISPs not telling consumers everything about the state of internet in Malaysia compared to neigbouring countries and this situation could be remedied by some other devices. I was not fully convinced until a few days ago....
A demo was set up to show how to remedy this. It took about 15 mins whereby my Internet wifi experience elevated to a new level soon after. I have been meddling with all sorts of gadgets from power plugs, repeaters, stronger routers, longer antennas... nothing compares to this unit installed by POWER LINK WiFi Solution.
After 2 days of multiple MS Teams session by 4 users, smooth 4K playback from Netflix, Apple,Disney+, TIDAL, Spotify, I now can confidently say that this thing works. Forwarding movies now is really smooth, loading of videos are much faster and no MS Team video calls dropped in the past 2 days.
I am not all well versed on how it works but if you would like to have a no obligation demo, you can contact Tahir Mazlan for a home visit.
Andy or also known as Baba Andy is one of the local male artist that I follow ever since he was in the underground band called Flop Poppy all the way back to the early 90s. When an announcement by Custones Production for the pre-order of his latest masterpiece popped up on my FB, I did not hesitate to put in an order immediately. Based on Andy's previous works, I know I will enjoy the new songs. However, what is unique about this album is Custones Productions first album release.
Custones Productions was formed on 26 Dec 2020 as a record label providing pre and post audio/video production and also artist/band management services. Basically the A-Z of producing and releasing your music to the public. The company is managed by skillful team members lead by music producer cum engineer; Y8 a.ka. Faraque Daud under his privately owned Y8Studio in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Packaging of this CD album was nicely done in a Custones box with also a thank you note. For those who pre-ordered the CD, it arrived a day before the official release of the album. I immediately put on the CD into my McIntosh MCD350 SACD player and got hooked onto the 1st song called Lukiskan Aku Hati which is now my favourite track on this album.
The album consists of 8 great tracks:
Lukiskan Aku Hati - vibes from the 70/80s, a touch of Earth, Wind and Fire type of music. A fun, catchy song. It stuck in my mind throughout the whole day and it made me cover it on my drums later that evening. Not an easy one actually. Lots of shuffling.
Dan Ku Akui - the guitar plucking throughout the track, percussion and I believe is some trumpet works reminds me of some great Latin tunes.
Lain - Yes yes another great drum works on this track. A mixture of U2 and Radiohead.
Terus - A slower ballad in which I can feel Andy's emotional side though his passion on this track.
Read The Book - One cannot shy away from thinking that this is a remix of Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel the first time listening to it. But as you keep on listening to it, you will realise is not even close to Mrs. Robinson. The tune is another fun to listen and play along.
Aku Suami Mu - Such a sweet tune. Reminds me a bit of Noh Salleh's attempt on his Angin Kencang EP. However, again, keep on listening and I realise this is actually a very refreshing song. With a little bit of Barry White in it, strong bass line and lots of open-close hihat works here.
Aku Tahu - Similar to track 3, lots of U2 influence here but with Andy's excellent bass line. The drum works sound quite basic but blended in nicely. The guitar works on this track sounded raw but refreshing at the same time.
Sebelum Aku Tidur - The slowest tempo song on this album aptly name Before I Sleep. Not really my taste but I can feel Andy's emotion singing this song.
Now, on the sound quality. I believe Y8 and his team did a marvelous job for their first official production. This album indeed was mixed, mastered and produced with neutrality in mind. There was no specific focus on any particular frequency range. However, neutral here does not mean flat. The dynamics and energy coming from this CD made me move my feet and shake my head to the beat while working from home throughout the day. Now, for those who follow my reviews will know that one of my way to appreciate a good product or album is when it can deliver that high emotional aspect into my listening pleasure. The music and sound quality from this album did exactly that. Y8 and his team managed to surface up musical instruments at a level where it highlights the best of how it should sound. My favourite bit is of course the drum works and also the bass line. On top of that, despite of all these highlights, Andy's vocal was not lost nor submerged in the music but blend rather harmoniously.
I have been streaming music since 2007. Managed to kill off 3 laptops in that process :). At that time, CAS seems to be the only option I had. Even that it was more streaming from NAS and not online streaming. I also explored Apple iTunes as they had a cloud system. Then came TIDAL and Spotify. While Spotify was so much easier to use and more widely accepted by most hifi and AV designers, TIDAL remains to be the chosen streaming platform for most audiophiles. Yes, there are debates on the merit of MQA but most would still say TIDAL gives a better sound quality compared to Spotify. Given the niche status of TIDAL, for many years, only the higher end equipment would be able to provide the proper experience of TIDAL. However, things has changed and TIDAL user can enjoy their subscription using various equipment in the market.
I started to subscribe to TIDAL in 2018. Even that, the complicated process to unfold MQA made it less desirable for me to spend a lot on equipment. So, I bought an ARCAM CDS50 SACD/Streamer that can stream TIDAL, a SONY DAP and also ensure my next car purchase in 2019, had TIDAL in its ICE. Somehow, during Malaysia MCO in 2020, a series of more affordable equipment came into the market. One being iFi ZEN DAC which I reviewed a few moons ago. 2021, then became the year I explored the possibility to have a streamer that can complement my SONY HAP Z1 ES.
First came into the picture is this Cary Audio DMS700 streamer, fresh out of manufacturing last month. Thank you Issac Ho of Audio Perfectionist for loaning me this unit.
BUILD AND SPECIFICATION
Issac, being his usual helpful and passionate self, delivered the unit and help to set it up. The unit is relatively heavy for a streamer. At about 28 lbs and measuring 3.75" H x 17.25" W x 16.25" D, this is definitely a streamer that means business. It comes with a full functioning remote control but if you are a streamer, a mobile app is something that you would use more often.
This unit has abundant of inputs and outputs:
2 coaxial, 1 optical, 1 AES/EBU digital inputs
1 coaxial, 1 optical digital outputs
3 USB inputs (2 in the rear, 1 in front)
1 SD card slot
1 AptX(R)HD Bluetooth
A pair of fully balanced XLR output
A pair of RCA output
The unit is capable for ethernet connection and wifi (2 antennas). I am however a bit surprised that it does not have a USB DAC input. Most probably because it can already stream whatever you want through this unit.
The main highlight is of course TIDAL and the capability to fully unfold MQA. However, the DMS700 comes with other typical capabilities which are Spotify Connect, Qobuz, vTuner and streaming from NAS or computer. The unit can easily detect my SONY HAP Z1 ES as a NAS and can playback the files on the HDD.
At the point of this review, the DMS700 is still pending of the Roon certification in which Cary Audio will release a firmware once it gets fully certified.
Setting up of the unit was quite straight forward. A dedicated app Cary Streamer 2.0 needs to be downloaded (mine is on Android). Upon launching the app, it detected the unit within 5 to 10 seconds. Once connected, you can browse through the different features that the unit can offer.
Both Spotify and TIDAL can be logged in using this app directly. While Spotify was quite straight forward, I had issue with my TIDAL log in. After a few attempts, it was evident that there was an issue with my home network. As a temporary solution, Issac set up my account in Audio Perfectionist shop on the same day using the shop internet network. I can then start using TIDAL in my set up.
THE LISTENING SESSION
First up was Japanese Roots by Takedake on TIDAL. Percussion on this track sounded really good with a great punchy signature. Nearly perfect in my book when it comes to low frequency delivery through my PMC speakers. This particular track really needs a streamer that can really belt out the not only the percussion but at the same time, create that airy ambient for the wind instrument. Lo and behold, I have always felt that streaming (either over the net or even NAS) can make the music sound less livelier. Not in this case. The DMS 700 is definitely a streamer that can inject that liveliness into a system.
Japanese Roots
Second track was Take Five by Dave Brubeck. Another remarkable musical presentation from the DMS 700. Somehow, the 'lifeless' I usually hear from an online streaming platform has been injected with life through this unit. Saxophone sounded airy but very engaging. The snare sound sharp and the bass hits hard. Minimal sign of this was coming from online streaming. I do have this preference that digital music is still more enjoyable when being playback from a hard disk like the HAP Z1 ES. This was indeed a different experience altogether. The overall musical presentation flows naturally and full of energy.
Take Five
Now, I was curious about how this streamer would sound in another set up. So, I went to visit Audio Perfectionist to hear this same track Japanese Root on their show room set up. My my my, it made my set up sounded small. Nevertheless, the same traits that I heard at home were present here as well. Punchy percussion, sweet highs were all there.
Japanese Roots in Audio Perfectionist show room
THE CONCLUSION
The Cary Audio DMS700 is one capable streamer with the emphasis on delivering a lively presentation even from an online streaming platform. I would sum it up as a unit that focuses on seamless flow of musicality. At times, I was not sure whether I was playing a CD from my SACD player or from this streamer. The main strength for this streamer leans more towards a good level of transparency and dynamics. I also tried to play lower quality digital files and with the upsampling that can be done by the DMS 700, it sounded quite acceptable. If you do have a good digital files collection of high quality recordings, you will be in a for a treat. I still prefer it if is played off a hard disk compared to NAS. But I guess that is based on your own preference.
If you are looking for a streamer that can give you more excitement in your digital quest, do go and listen for this unit in Audio Perfectionist.
Malaysia actually is not short of having a good venue to experience real hifi sound. This week, I continue to explore another venue in Jaya One, Petaling Jaya. Not that I am not familiar with the venue but the last time I visited this shop was last year when I bought my McIntosh MCD350 SACD player. Not much have changed with the room itself but the equipment now features the following:
McIntosh XRT1.1k speakers.
McIntosh C1100 pre amp.
McIntosh MC462 power amp.
Cary Audio DMS700 streamer.
McIntosh MCD350 CD player.
HRS SXR Audio Stand.
HRS R3X isolation platform.
HRS damping plate on top and Helix under the DMS700.
HRS Vortex under C1100 controller and pre amp.
Ansuz Speakz A2 speaker cable.
Ansuz Signalz C2 1.5m xlr from DMS700 to pre amp.
Ansuz Signalz A2 1.5m xlr from pre to power.
Ansuz Mainz8 D2 distributor.
Ansuz Mainz A2 power cord from wall to distributor.
From distributor to components all Ansuz Mainz X2 1.5m power cord.
When Issac Ho of Audio Perfectionist messaged me to come and see something new, I agreed and arranged for a Friday evening to visit the shop as soon as I can travel inter district. Besides the CaryAudio DMS700 streamer which I had the pleasure to review it at home, there was also the new HRS racking system. The HRS racking system is for the discerning audiophile who really want to squeeze out the very best of their system. I was entertained with various track after track.
In this sampler of Japanese Roots by Takedake, this whole set up send shivers to my back with its deep digging low frequency and at the same time, having that airy experience with its mids and highs. The percussion sounded punchy and lively. While its wind instrument really pushing the envelope of providing sweet sounding highs. When I first saw the set up, I was a bit overwhelmed with the height of the XRT 1.1k speakers but as it was set up properly, that overwhelming feeling turned in enjoyment of a good pairing between a McIntosh amplification and speakers with Cary Audio DMS700 streamer.
I must also admit that the HRS is giving some different impact. We did some comparison listening with and without the HRS damping plate and Nimbus system. As this is a very revealing set up, I must say the difference was quite evident. Without these tweaks, the string works and percussion sounded a little bit less dynamic. You have to a go with this experiment and visit the shop.
I am actually not done yet enjoying the system here but Issac promised for another session once their turntable is fully set up.
To demo this system, please contact them and arrange for a demo session. You will not regret it.
Centre Circle Audio have stepped up the hifi game with a new addition of 2 listening rooms to the one existing in their outlet in TTDI. Taking up the floor above, CCA have set up full Roon environment in 2 new listening rooms and also to the existing one downstairs. Completed sometime in December, CCA was also not spared from the MCO as it is quite restricted to get audiophiles to come and enjoy this new addition to the listening rooms.
HiFi ROSE RS150
Primarily, I went to have a listen to the HiFi ROSE RS150. So, I spent a good 1 hour listening to various tracks where the ROSE was used as a streamer cum pre amp to an Audia Flight FLS4 power amp, driving a Boenick W8 speakers.
This set up reveals rather a big sound for my first impression. The RS150 is one heck of a machine. The ecosystem which is based on Android is very stable. The unit of course have all the bells and whistles to play a wide selection of streaming platforms.
Here is a sampler form this system:
Mola Mola Tambaqui, VAC and Living Voice
I was then brought up to the upper floor into the first new listening room comprises of Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, VAC Master pre and Signature power amp and Living Voice speakers. Source was from Roon ecosystem placed in the main listening room. This brought my experience up a notch from the room downstairs.
The deco of this room is really relaxing and reminds me of the house I used to live in UK back in my time there. The Living Voice speakers looks like a typical British design, basic and boxy.
Here is a sampler of this set up:
Avant Garde, WADAC and VAC
This room was the ultimate experience of the day. It was good that we started off with the room downstairs and slowly build up the excitement for this. I personally have always been skeptical about horn speakers given the few times I heard it in the KLIAV show. However, recent 2 experience with Avant Garde speakers in Melaka, told me other wise.
This was the same experience. These speakers and the room was set up pretty darn good that I wish I had more time here. Good solid bass impact. Sweet melodious highs. For this set up, I will not share the sound quality as I would like to keep it as a secret. You have to go and visit CCA to experience a 4 stack WADAX Roon system with top notch VAC and these speakers.
To arrange for a demo, please contact CCA at 03-77282686. Their outlet is located
Yes. You read it right. I have hemp. Yes. That hemp. Not to be smoked though. This hemp is part of a Limited Edition headphones by GRADO Labs. Managed to get a hold on a unit a few months ago before the current MCO started. Been using it extensively with either SPL Audio Phonitor 2 or CHORD Mojo DAC amp.
This hemp is highly compressed by Grado design engineers as one housing together with another maple wood housing. The drivers were specifically tuned to for this design as it is the first time Grado is using hemp. You can read the details spec here.
I will not bore readers talking about the overall design as it comes in a typical Grado leather headbands, detachable ear cups, fixed and thick 8 conductor cable, 3.5 mm jack. The packaging is also as simple as a gift box. No fancy stuff but it worked and came in to Malaysia with no damage or whatsoever. The cable however, gets easily entangled and kind of irritating. I would prefer a woven fabric over the cable.
Is it comfortable? Compared to my old Alessandro Grado Pro pair, this seems lighter but a bit tighter fit. Well at least for my head. With the current on ear design, I can easily use this continuously for about 1.5 hours before start to feel a bit heavy on the head.
Now, how is the sound? I must admit that I actually miss and regret selling off my Alessandro Grado Pro a few years back under the notion of 'reducing' number of headphones I have. Well, that failed miserably as I own a Beyerdynamic T1, Audeze EL8, Sennheiser HD800S, Nuraphones and countless earphones. Oh well, then I guess its no harm to re-add a Grado headphones to my collection.
THE TRACKS
1. Lawan Kartel 2.0 by Slumber Sonic - 24/44.1 WAV
2. Blue Moon by NYC Quartet - DSD
3. Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake - DSD
4. Take Five by Dave Brubeck - DSD
5. Enter Sandman by Metallica - 24/96 FLAC
THE SESSION
Iswardy's ferocious guitar on Lawan Kartel 2.0 during the intro really got me going. Followed by thumping snare, toms and floor toms by yours truly, the Hemp presented quite a fully body sound to the tune. The highs can be a little bit on the sharp side but well compensated by the bass. The most evident signature of this Hemp is actually on clarity. The little sounds from our song came out quite clear such the hi hat play and also the bassline from our bassist Herman. Even the second vocal by Azwad was clearly separated but still complement nicely to Is's vocal. I like what I am hearing through this Hemp.
With Blue Moon, the Hemp sounded sweet with the focus on the vocal. It can sound a little too upfront but its a matter of preference to the listeners. The saxophone sounded airy but at the same time, it can provide that huge spacious sound. The Hemp also is detail in presenting the little details of the wire brush on the snare drum. At times, the highs can sound a little bit sharp but tolerable.
Can it handle bass? I mean disco bass? I put on one of my favourite modern 'joget' tune, Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake. And this Hemp made me move head and body to the beat of this tune. It flows. It definitely flows music with ease and made me want to start shaking. Bass was taut and deliver high energy level to listeners.
How about those extensive low frequency track? Lets put on Take Five by Dave Brubeck. First of all, again the saxophone sounded airy and sweet. Yes, given the open back design does help to sort of unleash a more open listening experience but there is something else coming from this Hemp. The double bass and also the percussion really gave the Hemp quite a workout. Slamming and digs deep without loosing the clarity of the overall track presentation.
Now the ultimate test - metal music! While so many headphones can easily fail delivering the adrenalin, surprisingly the Hemp can really belt it out. No sign of strain and presented this track with full body and energy. I am quite surprise to get this level of fun to listen experience with an open back design. James's vocal sound raw with Kirk's wailing guitar really hit the adrenalin point. Lars's drums you ask? Snare was tight, hi hat was sharp and the bass drum was slamming.
THE CONCLUSION
A very fun to listen to cans the Hemp is. Not fussy. Easy to drive even with a portable DAC headphone amp such as the Mojo. Even direct connection to my SONY Walkman was fun to listen to.
Is it for everyone? Maybe not but I do feel that it can satisfy most people at this price point.
Is it for all genres? I do feel so. I even tried it with a death metal track by Deicide. Easy peasy.
The caveat is however, it might be a bit bright at times but well compensated by the bass coming from this compressed hemp design. On this note, its more of a personal preference.
Over the past few years, more and more audiophiles in Malaysia were bitten by the Accuphase craze through its high quality performance and of course, the mesmerizing VU meters. Readers can read various reviews from official local hifi blogs such as audiofi.net. I also had the chance to contribute a review to novohighend.com on the Accuphase E370 integrated amp a few years ago. Thanks to Victor Pheh of HiFi Creations Trading, I was given the opportunity to listen to the Accuphase P4500 power amp and pen down a few opinions about the amp.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
The designer of this amp has put in quite a remarkable architecture internally and externally. It features an instrumentation amplifier configuration realized with discrete semiconductors in the signal path, triple Darlington 4 parallel complementary push-pull architecture. Big words, big buzz ey? What does it really mean? It gives out S/N ratio of 121 dB, damping factor of 700, 90W/8 ohms and doubled at 180W/4 ohms. And again, what does this means to musical delivery? Read on folks.
One can identify an Accuphase from far with its trademark gold chassis. Simple front fascia featuring the famous large and well lit VU meter. It provides 4 different gain selector to match your pre amp (MAX, -3, -6, -12 db), meter selector, speaker selector and input selector. Besides the power meters, there is also the function indicators to see whether the amp is in BRIDGE, DUAL MONO LINE/BALANCED.
At the rear of the amp, it offers either RCA or XLR balanced input from your pre amp. There is also the operation mode selector which I prefer it to be in the front actually, 2 pairs of speaker terminals and also balanced input polarity selector.
All these to give you a whopping 29.2 kg amplifier.
THE ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
SPL Audio Director Mk2 pre amp
Kronos Sparta TT with SPL Audio Phonos
SONY HAP Z1ES
McIntosh MCD 350 SACD player
PMC Twenty5.24 speakers
Cables - mix of Siltech and Vermouth Audio
All samplers recorded using SONY PCM D100 Hi Res recorder.
THE SESSION
I played through different sources and each source gave me quite a different experience. Music range from jazz to heavy metal, vocal heavy, Hi Res audio, RBCD and LP.
Where Did The Children Play by Cat Stevens - WAV 44.1
Temptation by Diana Krall - DSD
Tak Seindah Wajah by Dato SM Salim - WAV 44.1
Take Five by Dave Brubeck - SACD
Whiskey In The Jar by Metallica - LP
Tuesday's Gone by Metallica - LP
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton - LP
Just The Way You Are by Diana Krall - LP
By the time I was reviewing this amp, the amp has been run in for approximately 150 hours.
Where Did The Children Play from HAP Z1 ES
The string works on this track was assuring enough that each strumming sent out a a huge amount of energy to the music. Blends in to the unique vocal of Cat Stevens that goes quite deep at moments. The hollow toms and sharp ride and crash on the drums really gave an authentic 70s vibe for this track. High clarity is one character that the P4500 can offer.
Temptation from HAP Z1 ES
This one was a hard track to crack. The bass for this track will usually sent me some kind heavy low frequency waves through my PMC. While there is no thud thumping action, the bass that came out was refined and digs deep into my listening area. The big soundstage that the P4500 creates makes up to slightly lower slam that I am used to. Again, when it comes to vocal clarity and sweetness, this amp can really melt my heart down especially listening at night with a dimmed light.
Tak Seindah Wajah from HAP Z1 ES
A classic song like this deserves to be played with an amp with stature like Accuphase. There is something about old classics Malay songs that can really touch my soul. Maybe because I grew up listening to such songs played on my late dad's hifi. A simple song that the P4500 presented it in a more emotional and engaging musicality. The vocal sounded melodious, representing such an emotional lyrics. The violin sounded lively and huge in this track.
Take Five from McIntosh MCD350
No review is complete without testing my favourite song. Now, playing this SACD brings me to another level with the P4500. Slamming percussion with very airy saxophone presentation. The P4500 digs really deep into the low frequency of this song while maintaining a huge sound stage. One of those moments that got my feet and hands moving to the beat of the drums. The sound of the ride cymbal was also crisp and with refined high frequency. No tendency of ear pinching at all. Musically lively and refined presentation.
Whiskey In The Jar from Kronos Sparta
Moving to something heavier, I put on Metallica's version of Whiskey In The Jar LP and start spinning it on my Kronos Sparta TT. Now this is when I started a listening to a different side of the P4500. While clarity, huge sound stage and lively delivery are the main highlights, it struggled a little bit to create that head banging, metal experience. While the ferocious guitars of Kirk and James were full of energy flowing through my listening room, the drums sounded a little laid back. Vocal was good with a clear presentation of James's husky voice.
Tuesday's Gone from Kronos Sparta
I kept playing the same LP and moved on to the next song just to ensure it was not my LP. Tuesday's Gone was a completely different story. All that liveliness I experience from other tracks is back and the glorious rich sound from the P4500 was evident again. A true testament of what this amp can do. Just listen to the string works, drums and and vocal. A perfect blend reproduced through the P4500. Solid tom tom sound from Lars, emotional vocal from James and heavy guitar works from James and Kirk. I personally cannot find anything missing listening though the P4500. Everything just flows naturally and with no restriction nor choking sound.
Tears in Heaven from Kronos Sparta
I literally shed a tear listening to this through the P4500. For me personally, a good piece of equipment is when it can make me connect emotionally to the music being played through it. A situation where I go blind and ignore the equipment and just let the music engage me really deep. The guitar plucking by Eric can be heard note by note and coupled with his vocal, this was indeed the main highlight for me with the P4500. Effortless to create that ambient that reaches one's emotion.
Just The Way You Are from Kronos Sparta
Back to Diana Krall, this live LP is a different experience. The sound of the saxophone sounded deep and airy at the same time. Of course the clarity of the vocal remains the main character of P4500. It is not just about clarity with regards to volume but also the details are refined that it gives out a dynamic range on the vocal. Sometimes, given a different set up, the vocal can be of high clarity but it sounds monotonous. Not here. Dynamic melodic vocal is what I hear.
THE CONCLUSION
The legendary Accuphase amplifier is in a league of its own. This P4500 stereo power amp lives up to its name by providing listeners a high level of clarity, refined musicality, huge overall sound and the right level of 'chi' across your listening room. Is it for all musical genre? Maybe not but this amplifier provides you much more than what it is retailed for. Those who enjoy realism to your sound, this is one amp that is very truthful to its listener. In my experience here, there was a clear difference between analogue and digital. Playing analogue, the P4500 will bring out the shine of music realism. Yes, it did not really power through metal music but it definitely will bring a smile to jazz, vocal, ballad and I bet, even orchestral music.
I too believe the P4500 will give even more satisfaction when it is paired with a full Accuphase system. If you are ready to be mesmerized, contact Victor Pheh for a demo or to purchase Accuphase equipment. This P4500 particularly, its selling price is RM35K but I can assure you, if it matches your existing system, it will give endless pleasure.
