Sonus Faber Cremona auditor M SE

After some running in, my new speakers began to sing! With the speakers and the stand, I can listen to much more then my previous set up.
I have auditioned the violin music and I must say that the presentation is so real! Initially, I was looking at the Chario ( because of its superb wood craftsmanship).

After having AB comparison, I have found the Sonus Faber having much more clarity and clean. The Chario has a much stronger base ( and the sales person has pointed out that Chario with a strong base may be suitable for the playing of AV system where strong base is key).

From the hifi forum, there are some audiophiles who is afraid of this special edition for HK and China. Since I do not have the opportunity to do a comparison, I can only compare the Sonus Faber with the Chario Cygnus to get a feel of the sound characteristics. The Chario having its strength of more base also sounded quite "boxy" while the Sonus Faber sound is more open.

Given the differences in the tweeter, I have emailed Sonus Faber and i have received the confirmation that this special edition having the ribbon tweeter is also made in Italy (and not China) with individual serial number. I have managed to get a very nice 1833 number, which is a bonus..

Given the stand alone costs around,HK$9k+, the promotional price is really exceptional and there are only 30 sets per shops making a total of around 150 sets of the Auditor and 150 sets for the Cremona M ( I guess).

After searching for so long, I have finally able to find a pair of speakers which can give me much more and enable me to listen much more details. I know that there are many who love vintage speakers for nostalgic reasons but IMHO listening to hifi is also about listening to the details and the the Sonic and tones of the various instruments..

So, if you really want to enjoy music, please don't self imposed such limitation. Have a few pairs of different speakers so that you can enjoy vocal, light instruments, and orchestra music. There is no need to keep many pair of the same kind as the differences will not be huge.

The most important thing is to progress and enjoy! To put it in simple language. It's like removing the cloth that has wrapped around the ears and the sound is absolute clarity, clean and with much details..moreover, the workmanship, the speakers touch and feel, attention to details are remarkable!




























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Location:Princess Margaret Road Link,,Hong Kong

2013: start of a new hifi journey : Sonus Faber Auditor M SE

Happy New Year everyone!
I have started the new year with a casual shopping at the hifi shops. Originally, I was looking to listen to the Italian made Chario Sennet. (I was captured by its good wooden craftmanship) However, the shop only has other Chario models. During the audition, my ears were captured by the sound of Sonus Faber Auditor M SE, another Italian speakers maker, where the budget for these are much higher then the Chario.
For many years, I have been using vintage speakers from Rogers and Chartwell LS3/5a, Tannoy Cantebury, full range speakers including the famed Western Electric 755a. While the sound of the vintage speakers sounded sweet for vocal, I have wanted to try new things..

Following which, I have switched to new speakers such as the Tannoy Mini, and twice the Dali Royal Menuet speakers (both small book shelf speakers) hoping to find the details, and more analytical sounds and detail. 

With the improvement in science and technology, I am now willing to try with new technology, the new speakers will have better presentation in term of sound stage and clarity and analytical sound. With the Sonus Faber Auditor, it gives me the clarity, analytical and sound stage that I want when playing the symphony!
Happy new year !
























I have bought the latest Sonus Faber Auditor M SE version where there is a different in the tweeter (using 8/70mm high speed, high definition, pleated ribbon tweeter) instead of the 25mm tweeter. There are not much information on the new SE version on the net as these special edition are made fro HK& China. My initially listening is that it has a very clean musical with good clarity and sound stage. Since I want to change my speakers, I might as well get the latest.. (At one stage, I was even thinking of the old Chario 1, 2 and the Millenium & Old Sonus Faber Coneetino and Concerto..which in retrospect, doesn't make much sense as these weree over 10 years old models)



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Location:Metropolis Dr,,Hong Kong

VIntage Hifi versus other Vintage collectables

Some of my friend has asked why I have stopped collecting vintage hifi gears and have instead focusing on vintage watches.

One key reason is due to the space constraint in HK and with the need of constant move of apartment, it will increase the probability of damage. In addition, with the need for business travels has also shortened the time for listenig of music.

One of the key reason is also due to the retirement of good repairman for vintage hifi gears. Previously, in Mongkok, one can easily find 3 or 4 repairman for vintage gears. Now, I can hardly find one. Moreover, with the scarcity of parts, it has made repair and keeping the amplifiers with orginal spareparts difficult.

Moreover, electronic items have a cetain lifespan. Watches, being mechanical can last s fir several hundred years with proper usage. Without the need for more space, it has also made storge easy.

Instead of collecting vintage gears, I have ,in fact, spent more time listening to good recording and search for good recording first edition CD..

Merry Christmas!

Year end

Having been playing with hifi for several years, I must say that the hifi fever in Hong Kong has decreased a great deal following the financial crisis as well as the closing of the vintage hifi shops. Many of the master sifu as also retired making playing with vintage amplifier a challenge.
To maintain a vintage amp, it will also required spare parts that are difficult to find nd costly...

Given the above, plus the lack of time, my low FI system is serving me well.. Best wishes!

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Location:Thalang,Thailand

Korean pop

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To each his own

Music is very individual. Hifi system is the same. There are many who love to impose their like to others..in the end, it's a personal choice..just do the things that you like and listen to what pleases your ears...


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Dali royal minuet II

This is my third pair of Dali Minuet speakers. The first pair was sold when I was posted to work in HK. Following which, when I arrived in Hkg, I bought myself a pair of Piano wood. Owing o the move of apartment, I regretfully sold the pair. I must say I m lucky o have found a
Air of mint condition discontinued Dali with full packaging, Manuel and even the gloves..






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Dali piano wood

I am in the process of getting ate piano wood Dali....Haha











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Update

I haven't add any new hifi gears lately after I have done a major streamline of my vintage gears. I was at Mongkok and SSP the other day and found my vintage hifi shops disappearing signaling the decline of the trade owing to eBay and taobao, perhaps.

I often missed the time where I find new vintage gears but after having several horrific moving of apartments, such thoughts quickly vanished.. Now, I mainly devote my limited time listening to my lo FI gears and listening o simple music using my Music First Pre + Elekit power, which is convenient to operate and relatively easy to maintain. Owing to the flexibility of being able to switch power tubes from KT 66 to EL34 to 350c tubes to any 6L6 tubes, it still gives me the joy of having the varieties without the need to change gears, a good compromise I guess...




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Location:T1 Departure Crescent,,Singapore

Rolex 1016 gilt

This is the latest transaction or Rolex 1016 gilt dial



Just sent in my nearly found Rolex 1016 gilt dial to Rolex center for servicing...

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Rolex embossed crown

Theses are 1950s Rolex with embossed Rolex crowns. Really love the textured dials.


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Location:Buckley Rd,,Singapore

Vintage Rolex 1930s-40s-50s

These lovely watches are from the 1930s,40s, and 1954..


















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Location:Princess Margaret Road Link,,Hong Kong

LS3/5a

I have just reconnect with my hifi buddies Richard and KY and it bring back fond memories of the nice time..I remembered clearly when I came to Hong Kong 7 years ago, my initial set up was the simple Elekit with the Rogers LS3/5a. Perhaps, I should try to find one set for old time sake?


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Location:Cheong Tung Rd S,,Hong Kong

優客李林: 昨日。今日。永遠

1995 年，你們在那裡？我剛出來社會工作幾年。如今，重聽優客李林的昨天。今日。永遠，想起了昨日剛進入社會的我，也想一想今日的我，從新加坡到越南，又到柬埔寨，台灣，到香港，一轉，十幾年己過。雖然，人事全非，但是，慶幸，好聽和能共鳴的音樂卻能保留到今。希望有一天，優客李林能回來。




發行專輯
1991年出版首張專輯《認錯》，銷售達100萬張。
1992年出版國語專輯《黃絲帶》。
1993年出版國語專輯《少年遊》及英文專輯《Ocean Deep》。
1994年出版國語專輯《捍衞愛情》。
1995年出版英文專輯《Perhaps Love》、《昨日、今日、永遠》精選輯。
1997年出版國語專輯《未完成的優客李林》精選輯。
2002年出版國語專輯《優客年代》精選輯。




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Location:Metropolis Dr,,Hong Kong

Andy Williams RIP

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Location:Princess Margaret Road Link,,Hong Kong

Music

Waiting for departure...but flight delayed due to late arrival of aircraft..

Give me music


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Location:Airport Ave,Xianyang,China

Abba -my favourite band

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Full range speakers

Even though my hifi journey has slowly evolved into low-fi, I am still having much fun with the newly acquired Fullrange speakers made using solid maple wood and speakers with huge magnet.





I have always love the pure sound from the fullrange speakers especially fornthe listening to vocal music. Look at the size of the magnets..





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Location:Princess Margaret Road Link,,Hong Kong

林志炫

林志炫細緻精美的嗓音, 給了"離人"更詩人般的風味, 優雅而淡淡憂傷, 讓人感動而回想再三.

　妳的心事三三兩兩藍藍　停在我幽幽心上
　妳說情到深處人怎能不孤獨　愛到濃時就牽腸掛肚
　我的行李孤孤單單散散惹惆悵

離人放逐到邊界　彷彿走入第五個季節
　晝夜亂了和諧　潮泛任性漲退　字典裡沒春天

　離人揮霍著眼淚　迴避還在眼前的離別
　你不敢想明天　我不肯說再見
　有人說　一次告別天上就會有顆星又熄滅




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林志炫一擦聲而過2

Just received this cd from my Taiwan team..
正如專集的名字“擦身而過”，這些歌曲都是林志炫做為一個歌手沒有成為這些歌曲原唱的遺憾，而這些遺憾的歌曲正是精品中的精品！



this is one of the best cd. Every songs are full of emotion and meaning..enjoy
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Location:Metropolis Dr,,Hong Kong

Music continues with 優客李林，林志炫

Even though I am without all the fanciful vintage gear, with only a simple tube amplifier set up, my enjoyment of music continues with 優客李林，林志炫.




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Location:Metropolis Dr,Kowloon,Hong Kong

A poorly managed web forum R33

I have been participating in the Hong Kong Review33 forum for the past years. However, last night, my membership has been terminated as I have remarked to Jacky that : "being a moderator, you should not be biased and should not use vulgar language" in the forum

As a result of my comment to the moderator, my membership has been terminated. What a shame! Talking about freedom of speech and expression? How sad that a forum can be so dictatorial in management..


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Hifi

I have stopped doing hifi home visiting as I have realized that there are so much politics among the audiophiles. Very often, quarrels and jealousy prevails and kill the joy of music.
With the exception of a few good man, many are craps where self interest and are suffering from white eye and red eye syndrome...
Perhaps, Batman can help...




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林志炫： 時間的味道

Tonight, I have spent the entire night listening to this excellent cd by 林志炫： 時間的味道.

Even thought my Elekit amplifier is a cheap power amplifier together with a cheap Philips Speakers, the music is so emotional. The singing and the music really move my heart once again and bring me back to the very reason why I love hifi: listening to nice music that moves the heart....

Keeping singing 林志炫! Great music! Great singing!


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New apartment: new hifi set up

After few days of shifting, I have finally managed to un-pack most of boxes and set up my simple hifi system in my new apartment (even after experiencing typhoon level 10).

This is my 5th time moving apartment after 7 years in HK and the experience has really been hectic. Every time I moved, I always worry about my hifi set. As such, given my continuous travel as my lack of time for hifi, I gave decided to keep my hifi gear to the bear minimum and only keep a simple set to listen when I am back from my overseas trip. After all, listening to hifi is supposed to be a relaxing hobby and not a stressful one... With the shrinking hifi geared, the reduction has been compensated by an increase in my vintage watches...which are easier to manage and store owing to the small sizes..

Enjoy!




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Moving apartment

Today is the day for moving apartment. All the hifi equipment has been dismantled and ready to move at 5pm. Even though I am moving from block 2 to 1' the entire packing process is the same.




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Location:Cheong Tung Rd S,,Hong Kong

Visit of Doctor John

I have communicated with the famous Doctor John in the hifi review many years ago and I was fortunate enough to meet him this morning at my place.

I was a shame as my apartment was in a mess as I shall be moving apartment tomorrow evening. It was an honor for me to have him listening to my small set up...
For those of you want to get to know the hifi master, please visit his site:

http://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.hk/

Have a nice weekend!


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林憶蓮：野花

林憶蓮藉著《野花》大碟，音樂事業攀上藝術階梯的最高層次，經過一段時間消化後，《野花》才被公認為「即使放在International Pop唱片架上也絕不失禮的本地唱片」及香港樂壇最佳概念大碟之一，99年末，更被有識之士追封為90年代十大唱片，和20世紀廿張最有代表性華語專輯。






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Ella Twelve nights in Hollywood

I have to started to pack my apartment and get ready to move to a new place again as my landlord has decided to move in and stay.

This is my 5th move in Hong Kong and these packing is really tough. After packing for the afternoon, I have decided to take the opportunity to listen to my favourite cd by Ella.

2010 two CD collection. For Twelve Nights In Hollywood, Verve Select dug into the vault to collect the best of her performances across her extended 10-night 1961 engagement at Los Angeles' Crescendo Club - which originally resulted in the hit LP Ella In Hollywood - and her two-night return engagement the following year, presenting an unforgettable experience that puts you right in the front seat at the club, without repeating any performances from the original album. It includes several tracks never before heard by Ella live, tracks she had just recorded or had yet to record in the studio, and old chestnuts she revisited in a fresh way.




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黃文星: 天地

This is a good hock kian cd...which I have bought from Taipei...


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Location:Seefeldstrasse,Zurich,Switzerland

Once upon a time in the West

I am in Zurich for my work. Visiting the cd shop is my favourite past time before dinner. During the visit, I came across a cd, once upon a time in the West and i was attracted by its cover, which has a nostalgic feel. Upon checking, it then realize that the movie was before my time from the 1960s.
I quickly bought a sandwich and went back to my hotel to listen to the cd and I was immediately attracted by the music.....




Ennio Morricone, Grande Ufficiale OMRI (born November 10, 1928) is an Italian composer and conductor.
He is considered one of the most prolific and influential film composers of his era. Morricone has composed and arranged scores for more than 500 film and TV productions. He is well-known for his long-term collaborations with international acclaimed directors such as Sergio Leone, Brian De Palma,…
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Location:Seefeldstrasse,Zurich,Switzerland