Music for enjoyment

I have not write much on my hifi blog lately owing to the frequent business trips. In addition, the quetsion of career switch has also been occupying my mind lately. Currently, I am deliberating on the possibilities of working in Beijing or Shanghai, Guangzhou, back to Singapore or remain in Hong Kong?

The economy within Asia Pacific is good and thereby the growth in career opportunities. It is not very easy to uproot yourself when you have much hifi equipments to bring along as packing and shipping will alsways be an issue.

Given the current stage, my desire to look for new vintage hifi items has dropped to the rock bottom which, in turn, may not be a bad thing as it has given me the opportunities to spend more time listening to music and enjoy my current set up to its optimum.

Back in Singapore, the property prices have been on a steep upward thrend. This has prompted my intention to sell away my smaller apartment which is currently being rented out. Hopefully, the small condo unit would eb sold soon as the latest marklet transacted price is S$550,000 and my targeted price is between $610,000- 650,000.

With the issues of career switching & relocation, thought of selling my second property, my mind has been very active and busy. Luckily, when I reached home at the end of the day, I could just turn on my vintage WE grears and let the music sings...and bring my mind to the music land

My favourite Japanese singer : Shinji Tanimura new CD

After much waiting, Shinji Tanimura, my favourite Japanese singer has finally released his latest CD. The CD is not available in Hong Kong. Thus, I will have to order from HMV Japan.

Really eagerly waiting for it to arrive!

Speakers placement made easy

For those of you keen to learn the art of speakers placement, please visit:

http://www.audiophysic.de/aufstellung/beispiel_e.html

Great CD: Janice

This is a great CD. Janice's singing ability is great!

My visit to Guangzhou

After 2 years living in Hong Kong, I have finally taken the trip to visit the famous hifi site at Guanzhou Sin Tao Yuen. After taking almost 2 hours of train ride, I took a cab to visit the famous site for audiophiles.

There are many DIY stuff there as well as finished goods imported or localy produced. There are more hifi shops in these building then in Hong Kong, reflecting a growing in wealth as well as interest in finer things in life among the population. However, most of the imported items are more expensive then in Hong Kong.

One of the best shop I visited was the Chi Ping (志平) store - he is one of the most suceesful DIYer who has managed to curve our a niche market and reputation. So, those who intend to produce their own range of products should learn from him. I liked his Chi Ping speakers alot as it could really compare with those International ones with superb finishing and made.

In addition, he has DIY many famous Western Electric items as well using vinatge or DIY parts. Talking of WE, I am really glad that I ahve managed to take the right decision to chase after a pair of vintage Western Electric rather then accumulating so many others. I was once lost in the desire of collecting many set of vinatge amplifiers. At one stage, I have managed to collect 2 set of leak TL12, 10.1, Quad II, Mcintosh MC240, Pye HF91, Siemens amplifiers, Fisher 400CX, 2 Marantz 7c, 2 set of Fisher 50C, etc etc. which has become a burden in term of space and time for enjoyment of music.

When I was sitting at Chi Ping's store, I could listen to very fine, detail, and musical music from his Chi Ping speakers and We replicas, which has made me wonder the essence of music. I have stopped being "active" in the forum as they are more "quarrels" then "genuine sharing" nowadays. In addition, I can also see many audiophiles slowly drwan in the circle of "collecting" massive collections of vintage gears.

Why do we need so many gears since the ultimate purpose of the gears are to reproduce music? I don't know. Perhaps it is our desire to upgrade the sound and music..which can be much fun too! Anyway, Enjoy what you like to do as you only live once!

Cheers and be happy!

Leak TL12.1

After matching my Leak TL12.1 with many pre amplifiers, I like the Marantz 7 + Leak 12.1 combo the most.

I have a friend who is keen to sell his Leak TL12.1 (220V) in very good condition at HKG$40,000 excluding tubes. Let me know if anyone is keen.

The prices of Leak TL12.1 has been on an upward trend. It seems that the prices in China has excceded HK$50,000.

Given the strong economic growth in China and the growing wealth, it is not surprising that prices of vintage gears have increased so much. Previously, Mr. Huang who sold me the pair of Western Electric 124 has 10 sets in his collection for me to choose. Recently, owing to the growing interest in WE, he has only 4 set left of which 3 set will not be sale as he has planned to keep one set for himself and the other two for his 2 sons!

So, with one more set to go, interested parties better be quick! ha ha

I have been quite busy lately with my constant traveling to Malaysia, Singapore, Shanghai and Taiwan. In addition, with the recent purchase of AR3, I have managed to stop buying any more new items...

Cabinet for 755a - New

My specially ordered cabinet for the 755a have finally arrived. The dimension is about 450mm X 510mm using the vintage design from Western Electric. The Western Electric classic design is only 50% of the size, which has imposed limitation on the bass and low.

With almost 2 cubit feet in size as well as the slanted side and curve, it should be able to bring out the full potential of the 755a.

Unfortunately, I have sold my spare 755a drivers and my tight traveling schedules have prevented me from continuing the DIY project further...

CD - Burning In

Great CD: Chinese Orchestra music

I have been traveling to Malaysia and Shangahi lately and my current hectic travels have taken away time for music.

Luckily over the weekend, I am able to take advantage of the HK 10th anniversary celebration for some serious music listening!

這張專輯邀請了戲曲音樂界最具盛名的作曲家孟慶華擔任音樂編配，整體風格上力求達到“形神兼備”的境界，即在完美展現戲劇曲名段的旋律美感的同時，創新性地以管弦化的手法和現代音樂語彙加以補充和昇華，將難以言傳的古典意境韻味和青銅質感表現得豐潤玲瓏而富有層次，令人不由感歎。同時2了再現民族文化瑰寶，特意精選出十個劇種各自最膾炙人口亦最由代表性的劇目唱段，將熟系動聽的旋律以充滿新意的方式驚喜演繹。京昆川粵冀豫皖滬越，富有地域特色的音樂元素使得專輯中的樂曲非但豪不冗長，而且深具獨特個性。創造性地保留原創劇種的特色主奏樂器，並且類比人聲唱念，當真是千人百面，趣致逼真，聲口情態都能令人著迷。中西結合，國樂交響化的整體編曲配器風格，使得原本單薄幼細的唱腔外觀呈現出恢宏景致。像越劇《紅樓夢》裏生動的二胡模仿者寶玉的好奇與一見鍾情，清泉潺潺的古箏則描摹出黛玉的秀妍和微微頷首的姿態，板鼓聲聲清脆的敲擊令人心神具震，暗喻愛情的輩情的悲劇結局。

曲目：

01：越劇《紅樓夢》生動的二胡模仿著寶玉的好奇與一見鍾情，清泉潺潺的古箏則描摹出黛玉的秀妍和微微頷首的姿態，板聲聲清脆的敲擊聲令人心神俱震，暗喻愛情的悲劇結局。

02：豫劇《花木蘭》秀氣婉轉的琵琶與深沈厚重的大提琴交替奏出主題，一聲脆響的板胡精氣神十足，大鼓和絃樂隊勾畫出遼闊的北方天空。

03：昆曲《牡丹亭》古琴撥開傳奇的輕紗，芒鑼洞穿時光的惶惑。洞蕭如人聲幽咽婉轉。一支“皂羅袍”在工尺譜調間複生明代光景的煙絲醉軟，燕語如剪。

04：粵劇《蝴蝶夫人》木魚叩一板三眼，南梆子空殼問闌，輕擊碰鈴似點滴琉璃清冷，拂動音樹如串串珠玉歎息。高胡萬般雍容華貴現身，琵琶千回百轉應和。

05：黃梅戲，《天仙配》大提琴低沈的背景上，秀美的琵琶婉轉而倔強地吐露出繞指柔情。清麗的竹笛和寬厚的大提琴唱和問答，弦樂如和煦的暖陽柔美照拂。

06：川劇《荊釵記》竹相訇然，尺八蕭瑟，板鼓逗出了二胡委婉 迂回。溫厚真摯的弦樂，索回的卻是那般隱忍的蒼涼激越。

07：評劇《花2媒》二胡抑揚頓挫宛如生旦相謔，竹笛輕盈幼脆，大方持重的柳琴串珠疊玉，鑼兒‘鈸兒’鼓兒們亦嘈嘈喳喳地來歡喜幫腔。

08：河北梆子《大登殿》大鑼威嚴開道，大鼓開天動地，管鍾的回響震落雕梁棟上的每一寸灰塵。管子惟妙惟俏的學著喜氣洋洋的人聲。

09：滬劇《羅漢錢》音樹清冷拂過，琴竹起落紛飛，弦樂柔和明媚，串鈴波光粼粼。二胡頓挫的聲口似吳儂軟語，吟來那支無人不曉的紫竹調。

10：京劇《霸王別姬 蘇三起解》板鼓輕敲，鐃鈸緊跟，旦角吊足嗓子的咿咿呀呀裏，鑼鼓點有條不絮德搖晃著它四平八穩了一百年的節奏。一道京胡拉出了旋律，也拉出了夜色深沈的弦樂背景