Verdi Aida : Solti & Abbdo

I have been listening to much opera lately with Turanto, La Boheme, to Bizet Carmn, and Verdi Aida.

Even without the pre amplifier, the natural and yet beautiful sound of the Western Electric was something that I truly love.

I have since several months ago, reduced my collection of amplifiers and keep very minimal set for listening in Singapore & Hong Kong. In addition, I have not partcipated in any hifi forum lately which has given me peaceful time for the enjoyment of music after a hard days work.

Slowly, the search for better recording CDs became more important then the gear itself as the source of music (i.e. CDs) are often neglected by audiophiles. In the end, the amplifiers and the pre-amplifiers function are to produce the sound from the source and if the source is bad, it will be counter productive to keep working on the gears..

Since I do not have the time for setting up of LP system, and the constant cleaning of the LPs, the search for good CDs became obvious! Enjoy! Really like the March from Verdi's Aida! So grand!

27 Preamplifier

The concept of using 27 tubes for preamplifer was not new as I have heard it almost 3 years go. Unfortunately, the commercial version was not out in the market yet. Recently, there was quite a lot of news of the 27 Preamplifier in the news and there is a shop in Mongkok selling the 27 preamplifier at very reasonable price HK$3500 for a finished product and HK$800 for the kit set.
Not sure of the sound yet..will check it out soon! Stay tuned!

Goodbye Nagra PLL

Yesterday, after using the PLP for a while and after much consideration, I have decided to upgrade my pre amplifier to the Nagra PLP and advertise for sale of my Nagra PLL I have tell myself I will tart the search only after letting go the PLL..

The responses for the the PLL was overwhelming and I have decided to cut love my Nagra PLL to a fellow audiophile.

My search for the PLP will be an exciting one as I shall be getting it direct from Switzerland ... : )

In the mean time, I am using my Western Electric 124b direct from CD to amplifiers to Speakers without any pre-amplifier.

According to my Taiwanese audiophile friends and from the audiophile Mr Huang whio has cut love his spare set of WE124b to me, they love to use the Western ELectric 124b gears without any pre-amplifiers as they find the sound most natural! They have compared it with using classic preamplifier such as the Marantz 7 and Fisher 400CX..

The search is on...

Nice Musical

Time for music

With my recent change of job and the recent company acquisition of another company, I have been real busy with work.

I have not visited any hifi shop or attend any hifi party or participating in hifi forum for a while. Neverthess, I have been able to "steal" some time at night to listen to my favourite music with my current set up.

The essence of hifi is perhaps lies in the joy of listening to your favourite music..in peace and in full harmony...

Neil Diamond - Home Before Dark

My first contact with Neil Diamonds songs was in the 1980s when David, my brother bought back Neil diamonds LP with songs like Song Sung Blue, Love on the Rock, Septermber Morn,.. that easily captured my attention with the very unique voice.

Home Before Dark is the long awaited new album from legendary artist Neil Diamond who has managed to win both the US & UK number 1 charts!

Home Before Dark was produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin who also produced Neil’s critically acclaimed 12 Songs.

When listening to Home before Dark using the 755a speakers, this album clearly bring out the strength of the 755a speakers where most songs feature just the barest of musical embellishments and pure vocal...

Listening to this album is to listen to Neil Diamonds vocal ..in its purest form...

Andre Bocelli Romaza & Amore

My first encounter with Andrea Bocelli was in the year 2000 when I as posted to Cambodia. There are not much leisure activity in Phnom Penh, so music and watching DVD movies were the major activities.

I remembered having my set up using the Mini Houston and a pair of Dali Menuet II Speakers. The set up was cheap and simple, but the joy of listening to music was truly an enjoyment. There is no hifi forum then and there was no audiophimes club in Phnom Penh but listening to music was peaceful and trully a joy.

In Hong Kong, however, the hifi scene is very mature and complicated with many audiophiles with very expensive gears as well as much activities in the various forum. However, with much people, activities inevitably bring much jealousy, conflict and "issues"..

I have stopped participating in the various forum as it is more of a place "dominated" by a few a few individuals and group rather then a place for genuine sharing and allowing differences in views and opinion to prevail. After all, listening to music is only a hobby and there can be many views and perceptions...

Con Te Partiro....Time to Say Goodbye...is a good song to summarise my feeling toards the forum..

Enjoy music : )

Puccini La Boheme & Turandot

After a long hard week of walking, I have spent the morning listening to Puccini's La Boheme and Turandot!

1. Puccini - Turandot / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Caballé · Ghiaurov · Krause · Pears · LPO · Mehta

2. Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan

Borodin Polovtsian Dances & Symphonies 2 & 3

Another of my favourite Ansermet conducted music!

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op36; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op36

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op36; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op36.

This is one of my favourite as it was being conducted by Ansertmet..

Anton Bruckner No 7

From what I have read in the net, Karajan ended his recording career with this CD.

Karajan was one of my favorite conductor, and this is definitely the best 7th symphony of Bruckner.

With Karajan's interpretation and and the magical tool of the Wiener Philharmonic pretty much assures us of the great sound.

The 7th is reputedly the "easiest" and "smoothest" symphony for any one new to classical music. The composer's long phrases are so beautiful and it is great symphony when one needs to unwind after a hard days work! There are some symphonies may sound too "heavy" for one to digest..

Music for enjoyment!

The purpose of music is to help one relax and de-stress. Listening to classical music could also help one to be more refined and cultured.

However, there are audiophiles who has forgotten the objective of hifi, i.e. the presentation of music and to help one to be more refined and be a better person..

At some of the Hifi forum, one can easily see very offensive remarks made by audiophiles with narrow minded.

Recently, I was being "attacked" by an audiophiles for raising the subject of clones hif equipement. I have no problem if one do the clone as a DIY project. However, there are some Chinese companies who produced kit set and sell them using the various existing companies brand registered trademarks ..which I find a bit not very right...

For companies such as Western Electric, who are no longer in production , my guess is that maybe the trade mark licenses has already been expired?...

Orff: Carmina Burana

This is evening, I took out Orff Carmina Burana. It was very musical and for those who are not familiar with the classical music, you would often find the usic very familiar as many part of this music have been often "extracted" out to be used in the various TV commercials sound track! Perhaps that is the power of classical music?!

Som background information from the net:

Orff is most known for Carmina Burana (1937), a "scenic cantata". It is the first of a trilogy that also includes Catulli Carmina and Trionfo di Afrodite. Carmina Burana reflected his interest in medieval German poetry. Together the trilogy is called Trionfi, or "triumphs". The composer described it as the celebration of the triumph of the human spirit through sexual and holistic balance. The work was based on thirteenth-century poetry found in a manuscript dubbed the Codex latinus monacensis found in a Bavarian monastery in 1803 and written by the Goliards; this collection is also known as Carmina Burana. While "modern" in some of his compositional techniques, Orff was able to capture the spirit of the medieval period in this trilogy, with infectious rhythms and easy tonalities. The medieval poems, written in an early form of German and Latin, are often racy, but without descending into smut.

Please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Orff

Anton Bruckner Symphonie no 9

Yesterday, I went to my favourite CD shop and got myself an early version of the Anton Bruckner no 9, ...an incomplete symphony. Even though Bruckner has not completed his Ninth Symphony, that has not stopped any maestro and orchestra from attempting to master what is perhaps one of the composer's greastest works. The three movements that Bruckner completed are just so magnificent!

Clone amplifiers vs Original

The Hifi world is getting smaller and smaller as less and less people is coming into the hobby and more and more of them are moving into AV or MP3 & MP4.

To make matter worst, in Hong Kong, there is a trend of "cloning" amplifiers. Previously, there are DIYers who used the schematic and built their own DIY amplifiers which is very positive in nature!

Now, there are "advancement " as they are people literally copying and building Kit set even using name such as Pass Lab, Matisse Reference.. What happended to copy right?

We can copy the design, circuit to DIY but to put the name of the company? Perhaps the Chinese companies doing these kits set should just leave out the "name" of the brand and just leave it as anonimous? However, there are many who have bought the "replica" hifi chassis from China with all the printed brand name and logo and when fully assembled, it will look identical to the genuine one. Its the same as the fake LV bags copying the desgn and logo...

For the record, I have sold away my clone WE preamplifier ...

Gustav Holst : The Planets

The Planets Op. 32[1] is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1916. The Planets is the most-performed composition by an English composer.


Mars, the Bringer of War
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Uranus, the Magician
Neptune, the Mystic .

Even though the music was composed during the 1914-16, it still sound very modern and relevant today..stars wars music....

There are two stars missing..The Earth and...

Devil's dance Cd

Franz von Suppe

Last night, I have spent quite some time listening to Franz von Suppe's light Cavalry. Many of Suppé's operas have nearly sunken to oblivion, with the exception of the overtures, particularly Leichte Kavallerie (Light Cavalry).

For those who feel that classical is boring and will make you fall asleep, you can try listening to Suppe's light Cavalry, conducted by my favorite Karajan!

Simon Rattle Mahler No 9 with German speakers

As I have decided to stop my Lowther project, this morning I have hooked up my Western electric amplifiers with my German made KSP215k speakers. The magical thing about the KSP215k is that they have a cellulose dust cap which gives the extended high frequency response. The Ball Ball speaker cabinets were made by a company called Veb Statron around 70's (the space age era) for using the ksp215k at home. I know the drivers will be able to maximise to its optimum if I have used it in a larger cabinet. However, I like the idea of keeping everything in its original stage, I have decided to use it as it is.

I have the Karajan Mahler No 9 which was great and Simon Rattle is different and is better in a number of smaller details..

Classical Music appreciation

I have been listening to more and more classical music lately. I was a violinist when I was in my primary school but I have stopped since going into Secondary school.

Nevertheless, I have started to appreciate classical music more and my favorite composers are Mozart, Beethovem, Bizet etc... For those who want to start appreciation of classical music can start with the books which talk about the various composers and their music! Really interesting bedtime reading!

Enjoy music! Enjoy Life!

No more speakers

After receiving the sad news last night, my mood for speakers search has been drastically reduced.

I have decided to stop my search for Lowther speakers project.. : (

Mozart Requiem

Yesterday evening was a sad night after I heard the news that my University classmate John has passed away as a result of sickness.


As a respect to my old friend, and for all the laughters that we have shared during our NUS University's days, I would like to dedicate The Requiem Mass in D minor (K. 626) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to John.


The Mozart Requiem was composed in 1791. The requiem was Mozart's last composition, and is one of his most powerful and recognized works, not only for its music, but also for the debate over how much of the music Mozart managed to complete before his death, and how much was later composed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr.

Despite debate about how much of the music was Mozart's, the Requiem has taken a prominent place as one of Mozart's most important works.


Here is to you John! Rest well!

The Search for Lowther cabinet

The search for Lowther cabinets is a tough one as I have very little infomation on where to start. It is difficult as most of my friends either played with fullrange speakers, LS3/5a or Tannoy. Have to do some research..

Mahler Das Lied von der Erde (Otto Klemperer & Bernstein)

Tschaikovsky, Mozart, Bizet & Beethoven have always been my favourite composers. Recenly, I was introduced to the great Mahler.

This Mahelr CD Lied von der Erde conducted by the great Otto Klemperer and the other by Bernstain are wonderful! As a Chinese, one will b glad that Li Bai, one of the great Chinese poet's poem has been one of the inspiration for the music.

While working on my Lowther speakers project, lets enjoy the Mahler CDs! Cheers

Hifi Book

I have helped my friends to buy the hifi book and a copy for myself. While it is a good attempt, the book can be seen as a history book of hifi and collection of catalogue and most of the photos are old valuable advertisement.

Since there are so many collectors of vintage gears in Hong Kong, Alan could easily borrow some real photos for the book? In addition, it will be beneficial to the reader if the book could mention the sound charateristics of the various amplifiers and the various perfect match as well. Just my 2 cents of comments.. A good attempt!

: )

Lowther speakers

Recently my hands become itchy again as I was offered an opprtnity to get apair of vintage Lowther PM4a speakers. I have herd so much about the Lowther speakers and has avoided it as these are difficult speakers to tame.

However, I have heard from my friend David's place once and I must say that the Lowther is one nice pair of speakers with a class of its own.

To buy or not to buy? In the end, I leave it up to fate as I have told myself I am able to sell my Tannoy 12 inch gold, it means that I should get the pair of Lowther. If not, I will just stick with the good old Tannoy!

Mayumi Itsuwa五轮真弓 - Welcome CD

After 35 years of performing and 11 years of waiting, Mayumi has released a new CD!

All the songs were written and sang by her! A great CD!

五月天 知足: Ｇｒｅａｔ Ｓｏｎｇ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dZ_CdoKuLs

五月天 知足

词曲:阿信

怎么去拥有一道彩虹
怎么去拥抱一夏天的风
天上的星星笑地上的人
总是不能懂不能知道足够
如果我爱上你的笑容
要怎么收藏
要怎么拥有
如果你快乐不是为
我会不会放手其实才是拥
有当一阵风吹来风筝飞上天空
为了你而祈祷而祝福而感动
终于你身影消失在人海尽头
才发现笑着哭最痛
那天你和我那个山丘
那样的唱着那一年的歌
那样的回忆那么足够
足够我天天都品尝着寂寞
才发现笑着哭最痛wo…
如果你快乐再不是为我
知足的快乐叫我忍受心痛

The Wonderful sound of Tannoy

After one hour of running in, I have finally managed to hear the familiar relax sound from the vintage Tannoy! When using the Tannoy to listen to Holst's The Planets, I can really feel the mood and the atmosphere especially the part of getting ready for battle. Listening to my favourite Carmen suite was another joy as I could feel the energy and the zest from the tunes & sound from the Tannoy!

After trying out many pair of speakers, the Tannoy, I must admit, is my all time favourite as one need not worry much about speakers placement, focal point and it has the ability to play both classical orchestra music, chamber music and even light instrument. In short, it is a good pair of all rounder speakers!

Someone has said: Tannoys are like a Rolls Royce, they are always very refined and dignified, Lowthers are like a Ferrari, spectacular when running correctly but requiring lots of tuning".

Tannoy Mallorcan Monitor Gold 12 USA

I have previously shipped back my pair of Tannoy Cantebury red monitor to Singapore when I have to move my apartment from Lam Tin to Harbourview Horizon Hung Hom.

Ever since then, I have been using small speakers such as the 755a, Leak sandwiched for listening of music in HK. However, with my recent change in taste in music, listening to classical music with the 755a and the Leak sandwiched have been a little stretching for the speakers.

As such, I have started my process of searching of larger speakers once again. At the same time, I was also helping my friend KY to serach for a pair of Tannoy with cabinets. Since January 2008, I have began my active search for the vintage Tannoy speakers. This week, I have managed to find a pair of Tannoy 15 inch Gold Monitor Lancaster as well as a pair of 12 inch red monitor in Lancaster cabinets. However, both of these are obviously too big for my current apartment.

Like what they say, when there is a will, there is a way. After much searching, I have finally managed to find another pair of smaller matched pair Tannoy 12 inch Gold Monitor Tannoy Mollrocan (14 inch width X 24 inch length X 11 inch depth) that will fit into my apartment!

: )

To maintain the 1 in 1 out policy, I have sold off my mint condition Leak Sandwiched speakers to another collector in order to keep minimal set..

KSP215k Speakers

Recently, I came across a pair of very unique speakers from the 1970s.

These speakers were made in East Germany when East and West were in cold war. Having accumulated so much sound and radar techology from the Second World War, engineers in East German decided to make their own speakers for studio monitoring and broadcasting. Schulz have 3 types of fullrange tht are being used in studio set up. The flagship is TH315 which is super rare and sometimes they go on ebay for EUR3000 now.

The second is KSP215k which is the 8 inch version with a whizzer cone. These were used in mono originally and therefore you will see a variety of colours of metal frame and magnet pastic cap version, but they are all the same drivers. The magic thing is that they have a cellulose dust cap which gives the extended high frequency response.The Ball Ball speaker cabinets were made by a company called Veb Statron around 70's (the space age era) for using the ksp215k at home. They are cool looking with acoustic material stuffing inside. TO mak space for these lovely speakers, I have sold off my JVC wood cone speakers.

For details, please see:http://www.rft-hifigeraete.de/9465.html

http://www.german-vintage-loudspeakers.com/navid.74/schulz-ksp-215-full-range-driver-alnico-version.htm

Small amplifier for Tannoy

I have stopped buying amplifiers for a long while. For my Vintage Tannoy Cantebury speakers, I was told that even a small powered amplifiers could have sufficient power to drive it beautifully.

Recently, I cam across a very small amplifier (7 inch by 5 inch) with 2.5 watts power. I have tried it with my Leak speakers and it sounded great!

I hope to bring it back to Singapore during my next trip back. In the mean time, I use it to drive my woood cone speakers for the bedroom use. Sounded great too!

Addicted to Billie Holiday!

My favourite jazz singer has always been Elle.

However, lately, I have been introduced to Billie Holiday. I like her late 1950s recording as even though her voice has been "broken" and even though the sound is not as sweet as before, the emotion behind the songs are really true and exceptional.

Of all the CD, my favourite is the Lady in Satin Cd. In particular, the song: I'm a Fool To Want you and The End of a Love Affair" can really bring tears to my eyes when listening to them late at night.

The song could easily expresse her sorrow and her pain...

A salute to the singers before my time! Great songs and great singers can really live beyond time and space!

Addicted to Billie Holiday

I have alays been a great fan of lle for jazz music. However, recenly, I as introduced to Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday's early recording 1930s-40s are quite sweet. However, what captured my attention and my sou was her last few recording from the 1950s when her voice has become"broken" and "tough". I love her Lady in atinCd especially the sound I'm a Fool To Want you and The End of A Love Affair.

Listening to the two songs late at night could really bring tears to my eyes. Her songs truly expressed her deep soorow and the pain that she has gone through all the years as well as her many disspointment in her love relationship! Billie Hliday was truly one of the greatest...together with Elle and Louis Armstrong..My salute to the singers before my time!

Great CD Noye's flddle, op 59

With the recent change of job, I have not been very active in listening to my my hifi. This evening, I have managed to squeeze in some time to listen to the Noye's fidde, op 59..

The recording is excellence as one can easily "see" the children matching t the stage by listening to the CD!

What a joy!