Hifi scene in Asia

[ranjeetrain]

I am setting sail on a week-long audio-yatra. 4 countries in a week's time, should be a fun-ride! Major stops to this journey would be Hong Kong and Bangkok. Now I have been to HK earlier and have some idea of the market there, but it would be my first visit to Bangkok. So, let the advices pour.

Questions that I have on my mind.

(1) Is buying a TV from Bangkok still a good idea (after 8/26 scenario)? Anyone been to Bangkok recently and done any comparison of prices?

(2) Accuphase or Passlabs? I have setup auditioning an Accuphase E-560 and a Pass Labs X-150. However, both will be at different places in different setups. Will report the findings, however, anyone wants to pre-feed me with certain inputs?

I do have an Accuphase E-350 that I didn't buy too long ago (and yet to start using) But I am quite curious to know what has Accuphase improved in all the years between 350 and 560. Of course the biggest differentiator would be 560 is a 30 watts Pure class A bliss. What else?

Pass labs is a curiosity, too. Just wanna see what does Pass lab's new equipments sound like.

Besides these, I don't have any firm agenda as of now, and will just spend remainder of the time strolling the market (with a firm grip on the wallet). Hope not too much damage by the time I return

 

[shuv]

I sincerely hope that you loose that firm grip on your wallet and return with all the gear you want!

 

[Naturelover]

Hey, would you be able to check out and post AV gear prices as you find convenient. I would be interested especially in mid range 7.1/7.2 Onkyo/Yamaha/Marantz AVR prices in Hong Kong.
Thanks.
Enjoy the hunt! Got your harpoon?
BTW which are the other two countries?

 

[ranjeetrain]

I sincerely hope that you loose that firm grip on your wallet and return with all the gear you want!

I hope not

Hey, would you be able to check out and post AV gear prices as you find convenient. I would be interested especially in mid range 7.1/7.2 Onkyo/Yamaha/Marantz AVR prices in Hong Kong.

I would not specifically be going looking for HT stuff. But while I am there I wouldn't hesitate taking rates of popular stuff. At the very least I can take the sticker prices. Actual prices, as one would correctly guess, depends on if you show some serious interest and spend time negotiating. Something I won't have the luxury of. But I will try to get the sticker prices for sure.

 

[ranjeetrain]

I don't have the luxury of time at hand to write detailed report, but happy to share that I got to audition many a speakers that had long been on my to-audition list. It has been a couple of anxious auditions for which I had been longing for. Results have been mixed. Some auditions disappointed me whereas others surprised me. I will write individual review at a later stage, but I want to take a few minutes to jot down the executive summary.

(1) Wilson Audio Sophia 3 - Disappointed. Had very high hopes from this speaker. Never thought speaker of such repute could turn out such ordinary (relatively).

(2) MBL 116F - Surprised. I always thought of mbl as yet another German HiFi company that makes ridiculously priced gear. Now I know their gear not only costs a lot, but also sounds good.

(3) MBL 111F - Shocked. I didn't think a boutique looking speaker could sound this good. But the sound from these lovely speakers have given me a challenge. Challenge is to buy these without selling kidneys.

(4) Wadia 151 PowerDAC - What a precious little piece of HiFi. Want a good stereo for your bedroom? Look no further, buy one. Ask me later what to do with it. It's that good! Details to come later.

(5) Sonus Faber Auditor M SE - What a speaker! WHAT A SPEAKER!! Tiny, beautiful to look at, beautiful to listen to. Magnificent! For small rooms, look no further.

(6) Beethowen Hyden Grand SE - What a speaker! WHAT A SPEAKER!! Tiny, beautiful to look at, beautiful to listen to. Magnificent! For small rooms, look no further.

No it's not a mistake. I copy pasted this from Sonus Faber Auditor M SE on purpose. At half the Sonus' price, these speakers are a priceless piece of hifi. Details to come later, but these were no slouch even compared to Sonus that I loved to bits.

(7) Line Magnetic 219IA - This had been on my to-audition list for eons. Ticked!

In short, awesome amplifier.

In the Line Magnetic dealer, met a knowledgeable fellow who was as much into hifi as interest as business. Humble and approachable. Merely talking to him was half as useful as auditioning.

(8) Tidal Contriva Diacera - Disappointed! Everything I had read about these speakers were nothing sort of spectacular. In fact, deep within my heart, I had fallen in love with these speakers and they had gone on to my list of if-i-could-i-would own speakers. The eagerness and wish to audition these speakers made me travel to another country. But what a disappointment! Speaker with a SRP of USD 58,000 have no right to sound so ordinary.

More to come later.

 

[bhagwan]

(8) Tidal Contriva Diacera - Disappointed! Everything I had read about these speakers were nothing sort of spectacular. In fact, deep within my heart, I had fallen in love with these speakers and they had gone on to my list of if-i-could-i-would own speakers. The eagerness and wish to audition these speakers made me travel to another country. But what a disappointment! Speaker with a SRP of USD 58,000 have no right to sound so ordinary.

More to come later.

I do not know what to say;
What you heard was 100 % right - I suppose.
I use Tidal @ Home & I have been 100 % Satisfied with it - 4 + years.
You are most welcome to listen to them @ home.
Just for a 2nd opinion....
[Maybe the Cat Cable Test could be done @ the same time @ my place] - Just kiddin....

 

[bhagwan]

(2) Accuphase or Passlabs? I have setup auditioning an Accuphase E-560 and a Pass Labs X-150. However, both will be at different places in different setups. Will report the findings, however, anyone wants to pre-feed me with certain inputs?

I do have an Accuphase E-350 that I didn't buy too long ago (and yet to start using) But I am quite curious to know what has Accuphase improved in all the years between 350 and 560. Of course the biggest differentiator would be 560 is a 30 watts Pure class A bliss. What else?

I had the E-550 - sold now - but it was a good Int Amp.
One of the best money could have got - I am not so sure if 12/- K US $ may have been a 'correct' price.
The GAD - Diablo may be another option to consider in the same league.
There is also another amp from Italy you could look into :-
Wizard High-End Audio Blog: Delta Sigma North Pole INTEGRATED Amp
Delta Sigma North Pole INTEGRATED Amp
:licklips:

 

[ranjeetrain]

First in the series of reviews is online now. Read the Wilson Audio Sophia 3 review here.

 

[ranjeetrain]

I do not know what to say;
What you heard was 100 % right - I suppose.
I use Tidal @ Home & I have been 100 % Satisfied with it - 4 + years.
You are most welcome to listen to them @ home.
Just for a 2nd opinion....

Sir, the speakers I heard was Tidal Contriva Diacera. What you have is not Contriva Diacera. From the best of my knowledge you have a custom made speaker based on the Amea Diacera design. So, we are talking about two different speakers here. While I appreciate your offer for a visit to listen to your speakers (Thanks for the invite. I will surely avail it should an opportunity come), I don't think what I hear at your home would be valid for what I heard at the audition. We are talking two entirely different speakers here.

[Maybe the Cat Cable Test could be done @ the same time @ my place] - Just kiddin....

Sure! That should be fun!! Thanks for the invite again. But, wait a minute. What if I don't hear the difference? Or pretend that I didn't hear? How about that situation :lol:

On a serious note, I am keen on the test, but prefer to have a bunch of keen pair of ears and perform a complete blind test, free from all bias. Hope that's a fair proposal.

I had the E-550 - sold now - but it was a good Int Amp.
One of the best money could have got - I am not so sure if 12/- K US $ may have been a 'correct' price.

I am not sure how do you decide the "'correct' price" for an Accuphase amp. I mean, how can one decide the "'correct' price" for say a Tag Heur watch or a Longines watch or a Rolex watch. I hope you agree that Accuphase in Hifi world equates to these brands in Watches, and that the analogy is a valid one?

The GAD - Diablo may be another option to consider in the same league.

I like your suggestion. Gryphon Diablo is indeed an awesome amp. It also was my dream amp at some point in time. Not any more though. For that kind of money I would want an amp all the way class A, not only first few watts.

However, that's not the only reason why I don't have the Gryphon. The amp has two other significant disadvantages. It needs a huge warm-up time (performs optimally only if left always on). We all know power situation in our country. Plus, we are a tropical climate country, can't afford to leave an amp on all the time. Another reason is - after making some very wise design decisions, Diablo designers committed a blunder. Diablo uses at least two microprocessor chips. One of volume control the other for input switching (control/management). IMHO, having a microprocessor in the same chassis as a power amp is a bad design decision, when we are talk high-end.

That said, I do like your suggestion. I had planned to audition Diablo in Beijing. But it never materialized due to other commitments. If I come across another opportunity, I will cash it for sure. It never hurts to audition a good piece of Hifi. And Diablo should sure be a great piece of Hifi.

 

[Staxxx]

Hi Ranjeet - nice to get the reviews of your experiences.
I am curious which speaker is no. 6 on your list.
At one point I used to have a speaker by Vienna Acoustics called the Beethoven Grand and it was one of my favourite speakers - especially for the money. My brother took them and as far as I know still has them. Vienna Acoustics can sound really super but I am not sure if you are referring to them. They also make a handsome bookshelf called the Haydn, I believe.
It is interesting that you also liked the Sonus Faber. I think they both have a "similar" house sound...if that is possible. Your choices, if I may say, seem to be forming a distinct taste towards a certain type and away from the very "American" hifi sound.
I envy you listening to the MBLs. This is one speaker I have never owned and if I was still in the game would absolutely loved to have experienced!
Thanks!

 

[Soundstage]

Sir,

I concur with you on the first 3 points from personal experience.

I heard the Sophia 3 with an Ayre front end, ARC LS 26 pre and the humongous VT 200 power. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

The MBLs have their own signature sound, which if you like, can be wonderful indeed.

Cheers

I don't have the luxury of time at hand to write detailed report, but happy to share that I got to audition many a speakers that had long been on my to-audition list. It has been a couple of anxious auditions for which I had been longing for. Results have been mixed. Some auditions disappointed me whereas others surprised me. I will write individual review at a later stage, but I want to take a few minutes to jot down the executive summary.

(1) Wilson Audio Sophia 3 - Disappointed. Had very high hopes from this speaker. Never thought speaker of such repute could turn out such ordinary (relatively).

(2) MBL 116F - Surprised. I always thought of mbl as yet another German HiFi company that makes ridiculously priced gear. Now I know their gear not only costs a lot, but also sounds good.

(3) MBL 111F - Shocked. I didn't think a boutique looking speaker could sound this good. But the sound from these lovely speakers have given me a challenge. Challenge is to buy these without selling kidneys.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Hi Ranjeet - nice to get the reviews of your experiences.
I am curious which speaker is no. 6 on your list.
At one point I used to have a speaker by Vienna Acoustics called the Beethoven Grand and it was one of my favourite speakers - especially for the money. My brother took them and as far as I know still has them. Vienna Acoustics can sound really super but I am not sure if you are referring to them. They also make a handsome bookshelf called the Haydn, I believe.
It is interesting that you also liked the Sonus Faber. I think they both have a "similar" house sound...if that is possible. Your choices, if I may say, seem to be forming a distinct taste towards a certain type and away from the very "American" hifi sound.
I envy you listening to the MBLs. This is one speaker I have never owned and if I was still in the game would absolutely loved to have experienced!
Thanks!

Hi Stax, you are right! The speakers were indeed VA Haydn. Full title - Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand SE. (I was in a terrible hurry making that post ) And yes, they were indeed handsome little boys. More importantly they sounded better than they looked. I don't want to spoil my forthcoming review of these little buggers, but speaking briefly I was mighty impressed with them.

Vienna Acoustics does make good sounding speakers. I specially liked the look and feel of their drivers. Without grills they look a million bucks. I am sure your brother is enjoying the Beethoven Grand to fullest. For people free of upgraditis, this speaker is enough to keep them happy.

I agree about the American sound bit. Generally speaking, the American sound is too Hifi-ish. American hifi is all about precision. British hifi (and to an extent Swiss/Dane/Italian also) is about indulgence. Their approach to sound is very different. The Sonus Faber I auditioned represented a great middle-ground between neutrality and musicality (two of the dreaded extremes of music reproduction), IMO. I have heard highly colored sounds and I have heard completely neutral (dry) sounds. I felt the Sonus sound was a remarkable middle-ground. However, this is not my long term opinion on Sonus Faber house sound. Sonus Faber is represented in India. If the dealers in India welcome me, I'll make it a point to audition some of SF speakers. After having heard the Auditor, I am surely eager for more.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Sir,

I concur with you on the first 3 points from personal experience.

I heard the Sophia 3 with an Ayre front end, ARC LS 26 pre and the humongous VT 200 power. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

The MBLs have their own signature sound, which if you like, can be wonderful indeed.

Cheers

It's funny how professional reviewers are afraid of pointing out flaws in a expensive gear. This speaker wouldn't have been on my to-audition list had it not been praised so high.

I liked the MBL sound. First impression was great. But I don't form a long term opinion based on a few hours listening. I will give them a listen again.