My KLIAVS 2013 coverage

Well folks, hollowness follows after KLIAVS highlight. KLIAVS weekend is a hectic one. As usual, there were some hits and misses. I found that the room acoustic was largely the major fault. Those treated their rooms had their systems shine, after all they had paid so much money to showcase their offerings. Here's my run down on initial impressions.

Asia Sound Equipment

On level LG right after the escalator, speaker on the left is Broadman VC2s (RM72k per pair) driven via Rega electronics, hit Malaysian soil for the first time. The sound radiated from the slim small foot print was room filling. Next to Broadman VC2 is Rega flagship RS10, were going for RM40k+.

Up to Level 8, LS35a club was naturally the first room. That room always a crowd puller. I could not get myself in the room but many reported that Jo's system sounded better than last year notably better articulation. Is he using the God's cable this year? Veteran Jo told me the rest of the equipment was constant but he applied different the resonance and isolation load transfer. Meaning, moving the isolation devices around. He upgraded to Wywires and Skogrand cabling. O not forgetting, the man was getting serious, he wore bow tie! To grasp a better picture, I'll drop in his residence for a listen in near future.

Swedish Statement

Right opposite of LS35a club, we have MSB DAC - Vitus 450W class A - Marten Bird Mk II combo. The sound has a resemblance of the fresh air from Mt. Alps. Ultra clean and delicate highs with civilized bass.

Swedish Statement also occupied the next door, starring Marten Django Ls. They were going for RM35k, is Marten's latest entry level offering in their speaker lineup. They shared the similar house sound with Bird Mk II (RM135k).

Audio Art

BMC made its debut in KLIAVS. Mr Carlos Candeias, president of BMC was seen briefing their technical superiority of his creations. Many flocked into his room, my friends were thoroughly sold on his audio philosophy.

This room showcased full-fledged BMC, they don't sound anything German. Full bodied and warm. BMC Arcadia, the only speaker in BMC offering was going for RM135k if my memory serves me right.

Look at the huge toroidal transformer in S1 stereo amp, 2kVa perhaps and large numbers of small caps, this is a very fast, responsive and peak current ready amp.

Tropical Audio

Sam Chan demoed Quad - Harbeth M30.1, garnered British school of sound fans. M30.1s have the noteworthy dynamic that separates them from theirs older siblings. M30.1s were priced sub RM10k.

Sound Concept

Adrian Wong returned to KLIAVS after long absence with Burmester - Magico S1. Magico S1 is the youngest sibling in Magico family, they are retailed for RM35k, a real working class speaker given the reputed aluminum speaker company.

Audio Note

Audio Note always sounded most synergized in full Audio Note system. Mario Binner flew in to set up the system. The signature extreme toe in, making the axis crossed one meter out in front of the listening position, unique bass loading from the corners, you got to listen to this to know the sound effect. This combo offered the least hi fi-ish sound of the show, smooth, good tonal density, non-fatigue and natural.

AVP Soundcraft

Totem Arros, RM5k are the star. Impressive big sound, full bodied, gutsy emanated from 4.5 inch driver. Arros will excel in small room. I was interested to listen to their flagship - Wind but no avail.

HiFi Creations

The only line array speaker design in KLIAVS, a brave effort from a local. Deploying 16 pairs of 3 inch drivers in total, big sound and the fastest in the show. A little raw, great micro and macro dynamic and the PraT thing was in spades. The room was a little noisy though the height of the imaging is commendable and least affected by sitting height. They were going at RM13.5k during the show.

Audio Note

This is the second Audio Note room, Avantgarde - Avantgarde combo. Fino is the entry model from Avantgarde speaker lineup. Very listenable horn designed speaker.

CMY

Featuring Naim - Pro Ac K6. Room acoustic was treated using ASI resonators. The combo is a typical Pro Ac flamboyant highs and solid bass response.

Good sound from Jeff Rowland - Dynaudio combo. Dense tone and awesome midbass. You got to listen to this.

Clarity MP

Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, RM100k was receiving a premiere review from AV2day recently. Mark Levinson + Revel Salon 2 sounded sweet, warm, full bodied with good bass weight. This system deserves a bigger room. Drop in their showroom in Amcorp Mall for a serious listen.

Acoustique Systems

The petite CN Lim demoed his Monitor GX200 based system. Acoustique Systems distributes Mytek and M2TEch dac. His partner was raving the musicality of Hegel HD25 dac, RM7k. Monitor GX200 system gave a clean sound and this alone is rather unusual from British speaker company. Good job.

This room was managed by unfamiliar faces. Zellaton is known for their galvanized looked aluminum foil drivers, used by Ensemble Prima Donna, Admonitor, Italy and the red hot Magico speakers. The Zellaton drivers seen on Zellaton Grands looked anodized.

Brother in arms, Zellaton Grands were driven by BMC as a German audio assault. This combo sounded typically German.

AVP Soundcraft

The same combo displayed as per last year, Nagra - Verity is a proven combo. The sound is relaxed, delicate, natural and an excellent choice for voices and small scale music. Sweet.

Moving down to Conference rooms Level 4, the big boys were boogieing to impress.

Perfect Hifi ; Audio Research - Sonus Faber Olympica III.

AV Design : TAD CR1 Mk II based TAD full fledged system.

Are you much of a horn guy?

Focal Scala V2s powered by McIntosh mega watt shook the floor .

Wilson Maxx IIIs were brought home of an avid audiophile on Saturday night before the show was over.

I could draw two general conclusions for KLIAVS 2013, better performing system/room and no B52 music to vow the crowds.