Now that our eyes are refreshed, let’s talk about the KLIAV Show 2016. As usual, I started the KLIAV Show on Friday morning after a hearty breakfast, and straight away headed to chat and take shots of all the pretty lasses for show babes!
Here are my room to room thoughts:
Samsung Malaysia took a big room this year to launch their latest Quantum Dot Pro 9 Series TV at the KLIAVS 2016
Samsung TV model KS950-D, got my vote for Best Picture Quality in the 16:9 UHD 4K category. Look at those sharp vivid colors in HDR(High Dynamic Range)!
Mean while Sharp was in the next room claiming one up man ship with an Aquos X8 TV model, capable of up to 8K resolution, never mind if it’s up sampled!
Asia Sound was fully committed to the Rega analog cause
As they introduced the “star” of the new Rega turn table range, P3
The P3 fronted system had the Rega Osiris integrated amp to drive a pair of Audiovector speakers
This flagship Sony VPL VE-5000ES cost a cool RM$350k! My vote for Best Picture Quality in the 16:9 UHD 4K category
With true UHD 4K specs, picture quality was gorgeuos, but too bad it was set up for 16:9 format mode, when 2:35 could be better!
CMY Audio & Visual show cased the Naim Statement system & Dynaudio Evidence speakers, but changed the venue to a smaller room in the 3rd floor. Music sounded more relaxed, coherent and refined compared to last year. Here is a system that will play any musical genre loud, and clear! My vote for Best Sound of Show
I love the Naim Statement tower design for pre & power, and in matching signature……..
And with intricate attention to details such as this little NAIM logo in the light strip
The last year’s award wining system also had some help from the Entreg mouse bag or Vibb Eaters place on top of the speakers to cancel out resonance on the top panel
The latest Epos K2 series speakers sound very pleasant with……
Creek CD player and amplifier as presented by Acoustic Arts
A&L Audio Station presented a whole new range of PS Audio products
Also making it’s debut at KLIAVS 2016 is the PS Audio BHK Signature Tube Pre-amp 2
And PS Audio BHK Signature 300 mono tube hybrid power amp
I found it amazing that both pre & power used 12AU7 tubes at the input section with virtually no noise, and very naturally musical sounding driving a pair of Dali Epicon 8 speakers. My vote for Best Sound of Show
In the next room, A&L partnered Dali Rubicon 8 speakers with Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 series CD player and integrated amp. Nice smooth sound, but a little too laid back for my liking. However this system won many friends among the show goers
Musical Fidelity M6 range components
Now, what’s everybody listening to???
A highly musical full Audio Note system of course! Lam SF liked this system a lot for it’s smooth, thick, “kau-kau” sound but not my cuppa. Looking at the crowd build up in the room, who am I to argue?
The system was fronted by this lovely Audio Note TT-2 Deluxe turn table
More from A&L Audio Station, this time with an AV system. While the picture quality from the TV was nothing to shout about, it was the Golden Ear Triton 2 speakers that bowled me over with it’s powerful & dynamic sound. I thought there was a sub woofer hidden somewhere, but alas, it was built in to the speakers themselves! Demo-ed with Arcam AVR 550, which shows there’s still plenty of satisfaction to be had from Dolby True HD. My vote for Best Surround Sound!
The Golden Ear Triton 2 is a slim tower speaker designed Sandy Goss
Thonet & Vander speakers, making it’s public debut at the KLIAVS 2016. Too bad it was static display only
Many had commented how easy it was to fall in love with this China made, tube based Secret Audio system!
For me the Secret Audio’s CD player design just stole the show, but I wasn’t too impressed by the sound
And the Secret Audio speakers reminded me much of the older ATC SCM 20, but paired with super tweeters while on demo
Again, many liked this Roksan/ATC partnership, as demo-ed by Hi-Way Laser
Hi-Way Laser also demo-ed Pioneer with M&K Sound speakers for AV. A classic example of good product, poorly set up
It’s same old, same old for Harbeth speakers, and Tropical Audio. Still draws the crowds
DNA Audio present NAD electronics with PSB speakers. Nice, easy on the ear, un-offending combo
While the NAD classic design hardly change, which is a good thing, those little bright blue LED indicators do add some sparkle to the looks
Too bad the NAD Master Class series were sitting idle
The Heco Concerto Grosso speakers and BMC mono amplifiers looked nice, but sounded somewhat bright and strident to my ears!
I personally like those BMC electronics, but perhaps the speakers were new and not run in for the show?
Otherwise, the system had some potential. It was very high resolution, super low noise floor and had a sharp focus on imaging
Watch out for part 2 as I comment further room by room, demo by demo!
Don’t forget to vote for your Best of Sound and Best AV Experience of KLIAV 2016!
