Penang: Northern Audio and Visual Show, Part One | Penang 2024

On April 26-28, 2024, upon invitation by the Penang State Government, I had the pleasure of attending the “Northern Audio & Visual Show,” better known as the Penang Audio Show. If it weren’t for Anthony Bourdain’s multiple visits to Malaysia, where he showcased Penang’s delectable cuisine which he called “The Breakfast of Gods,” many in the Western world would never have heard of Penang.

Words and Photos by Richard H. Mak

The name of the audio show itself can be somewhat perplexing, as the term “Northern” typically evokes associations with regions like “We the North,” as in Toronto, Canada, or the ice-ridden Northern walls of the Game of Thrones. In the Western context, places without snow aren’t typically referred to as “The North.” Presumably, it’s termed “Northern” because Penang lies northwest of Malaysia, just slightly above the equator. The climate remains consistently hot throughout the year, with even the coldest days of winter rarely dipping below 27°C, snow can only be found in the freezer or in ice cream.

Small as it may be, with just 1050 km², Penang is a vibrant fusion of cultures, flavors, and histories. This enchanting island entices visitors with its captivating blend of colonial charm, modernity, and natural beauty. From its UNESCO-listed George Town, with its intricate architecture and lively street markets, to the tantalizing aromas wafting from its bustling hawker stalls, Penang is a sensory delight that promises a journey through time and taste. With its rich tapestry of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences, Penang invites exploration and discovery at every turn, promising unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking authenticity and adventure. Penang, dubbed the Silicon Valley of the East, boasted a commanding 5% share of global semiconductor exports in 2019. Additionally, it has become a prime destination for semiconductor factory relocation amid the ongoing economic tensions between the US and China.

The 2024 Penang exhibition took place at the prestigious Amari Spice, a luxurious five-star hotel in the heart of the city. Despite its modest size compared to Western standards, the show featured 40 exhibitors evenly spread across three floors of the venue. According to Wilson Teoh, the show’s organizer, the Penang Show is a joint endeavor involving his team and the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau. Small as it may be, the Penang show emerged as one of the best I’ve ever attended. Drawing in approximately 2000 visitors, the atmosphere was vibrant, showcasing the local audiophile community’s fervor. Yet, the venue never felt overcrowded, allowing attendees like myself to immerse fully in the music within each room without having to fight off the crowds.

A large number of exhibitors are small brick-and-mortar local shops, navigating the event on their own budget; many of them endured 5-6 hour drives to reach Penang. Their novice showmanship, reflected in the absence of price tags or printed brochures, is overshadowed by their enthusiasm, with many DIY enthusiasts freshly emerging as dealers. They embody the charm and warmth that characterize smaller exhibitions, making them all the more inviting.

Penang: The Best Sound of the Show

Well, the best sound of the Penang show…was not at the show.

On the first evening, I received a gracious invitation from a local audiophile to tour his home. His penthouse residence boasts two different systems in separate dedicated rooms, along with a disco-like game room to boot. Show demo systems are inevitably limited by suboptimal room acoustics and setup time constraints, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to meticulously set-up home systems.

This Børresen X6-based system was powered by Aavik Acoustics 300 series amplification and a full stack of Wadax: front-end transport, server and DAC. With room dimensions close to the golden ratio and walls and ceilings acoustically treated by a designer, the environment effortlessly amplifies the system’s performance, rendering unparalleled clarity, dynamics, and showmanship. It’s a marvel to behold. Such exquisite spaces are a rarity in North America, let alone in Asia, where space is often a rare commodity.

None of the systems I heard at the Penang show came close to this system’s performance, so the best of the show was not at the show!

In the adjacent room lies another remarkable setup: a Top-of-the-Line McIntosh system housed in an expansive area measuring nearly 23 by 34 feet, complete with a lofty 15-foot ceiling. The gear feels like old friends to me, having owned many of the components myself: the formidable McIntosh Triple Chassis C1000 Preamp, the powerhouse MC2KW 2000W monoblocks, and a full stack of dCS Vivaldi Apex front end. However, an unfortunate ceiling leak thwarted any chance of experiencing the system’s prowess that evening. Yet, perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, for once I have heard the sound coming out of the same equipment that I have but in a grandiose setting, returning to my own setup might feel inadequate.

Hi-Fi Choice: The Most Expensive Setup – CH Precision and DALI Speakers

And now, onto the real coverage. Just when you might think the Penang show lacks equally exquisite offerings, think again. Hi-Fi Choice, not to be confused with UK’s Hi-Fi Choice Magazine, is a local Malaysian dealer, representing CH Precision and DALI Speakers, showing off the most expensive setup at the show:

Dali Kore flagship loudspeakers USD 120,000/pr

CH L1 Mono Preamp USD 65,000/pr

CH M1 Mono Power Amp USD 125,000/pr

CH D1 SACD/Transport USD 40,000

CH X1 Power Supply x 4 USD 20,000 USD ea or 80,000/4 Units

Total Price: USD 400,000.00

You can’t just walk away paying $400,000; don’t forget there are USD 53,000 worth of cables and accessories by Inakustik and Isotek, a Melco music server, and a network switch. So it is an arm and a leg.

I entered just as Etta Cameron’s rendition of “What a Wonderful World” filled the room, instantly captivating my attention. Throughout the session, the playlist predominantly featured jazz and vocal tracks accompanied by simple instrumentation. Having previously had the chance to experience the CH L1 and M1 combination in my own system a few years ago, I found the DALI speakers, fresh out of the box, to be neutral yet “tight sounding,” with short decay and constrained feeling, as one would anticipate from new speakers. My immediate thought: “Come back once they’ve had proper break-in time.” Rest assured, all new speakers are tight sounding, they typically open up after 50-80 hours.

The characteristic CH sound remained consistent through the DALIs or my Peak Consult Dragons at home. The L1 and M1 duo presented an elegant and pristine tonality characterized by accuracy and precision. In contrast, the newer and pricier L10 and M10 combination offered a fuller, more voluptuous sound. While the L1 and M1 setup retained a distinctly “solid-state” quality, the L10 and M10 combination will exude a more “tube-like” warmth and richness. If you want the L10 and M10, throw in the left kidney on top of the arm and leg.

Sitting beside the CH/DALI system is a smaller setup featuring:

Dali EpiKore 11 Speakers: USD 42,500

FM Acoustics Resolution Series FM245 Preamplifier USD 32,000

FM Acoustics FM 411 Mk III Power Amp USD 60,000

dCS Bartok Apek Network Player USD 27,000

Total USD 161,500

FM Acoustics is a name scarcely mentioned in North America, and its absence from most North American shows is conspicuous. However, in Asia, FM Acoustics enjoys the utmost reverence. It’s not just a brand; it’s a symbol of status. Owners of FM equipment are elevated to a special status, often addressed by the initials “FM” preceding their name. For example, Mr. Fong becomes “FM Fong,” signifying not only his discerning taste but also his discriminating deep pockets.

In an era of continually soaring MSRPs, where companies unveil speakers priced at $750,000 and phono cartridges at $1.2 million, even FM Acoustics finds itself grappling with the absurdity of vanity pricing. Despite raising their MSRPs by 20-30% with minimal alterations to their model range, FM Acoustics no longer holds the title of “most expensive,” as manufacturers eagerly escalate their MSRPs to astronomical heights. So $ 60,000 is by no means chump change, they are dwarfed by names such as D’Agostino’s Relentless Epic Monoblocks which are priced at $349,000.

The Best Sound of the Penang Show – A Tie Between ATC & Alexandria Audio

The system that sounded best to me, is “Hi-Way Laser Electronics’” ATC system featuring the active ATC SCM40A speakers. “Hi-Way Laser” has a distinctive ring to the name, though it’s not uncommon for such creative naming conventions to arise in countries where English isn’t the primary language, as the word might have been a direct translation from Malay. They are the local representatives for ATC speakers.

“The Best” is a much-dreaded word in audio magazine editorials. The best of anything can stir quite a controversy, as it’s inherently subjective. To clarify, my intention isn’t to make a universal, objective statement but rather a subjective one. I must also add a quantifier to the statement, while there may be speakers that sound far superior, factoring in MSRP against performance across all speakers showcased at the Penang show, I found the ATC SCM40A offers the best value for money. They deliver a performance that far exceeds expectations given their price point, punching far above their weight.

The ATC-SCM40 comes in two models: a passive version and the 40A, with the A denoting the active version. The passive version costs USD $6,000, while the active version is almost doubled the price, at US $11,000. The speaker is a 3-way design which stands 980mm tall. The drivers are made by ATC featuring a soft dome tweeter, a 75mm soft dome mid-range (nick-named the “fat belly” in Asia), and a 164mm woofer. The active version comes built-in with 3 Class AB amplifiers delivering 32W to the tweeter, 60W to the mids, and 150W to the woofer. If I was to buy a pair, I’d probably go for the non-active version and choose my own amplifier.

ATC commands deep respect from me. Their distinction as a manufacturer of pro audio products sets them apart, as this space tends to avoid the pitfalls of audiophile pseudo-science and exorbitant pricing games. While ATC may not market a $450,000 speaker, this doesn’t diminish its ability to compete with the top names in the market, some of the best systems I have ever heard are from the ATC150s and ATC200s.

The higher-end ATC models, much like the Harbeth 40.3XD or the vintage JBL 4343/4345 models, are characterized by their rectangular, boxy design, which can sometimes result in a “nasalish” or boxy-sounding signature. However, with the C-shape cabinetry, the ATC-SCM40 showed none of these characteristics.

On the Penang show’s last day, I went back and listened to the ATC for nearly 45 mins. I played:

TOTO’s “Africa”
Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Round”
Katie Segal’s “Bird on a Wire”
Joan Baez’ “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”
Cirque du Soleil’s “Kalimando”, and “Egypte” from the Mystere album
Tom Jones’ “Praise and Blame”

The ATC-SCM40 isn’t engineered to deliver ear-catching special effects or cater to the audiophile demo music scene with high-resolution, ultra-high clarity, or glittery guitar string plucking. They may not initially impress with bells and whistles, but for those seeking natural, organic musicality without listener fatigue, they could be lifelong companions. A STRONG BUY recommendation from me on the ATC-SCM40.

Before we move on to another room, I wish to highlight the Novaris “Excalibur” power line surge filter in the same room. At US $2,875, the Excalibur is at the upper echelon of surge protection products, competing with Surge-X or Furman.

Novaris is an Australian company, and the Excalibur features a triple-stage surge protection network that will protect any equipment plugged into any of the 8 ports at the back of the unit. How effective is the Excalibur? I don’t know. Surge protectors are like insurance, you don’t know its usefulness until disaster strikes. Lighting strikes have twice destroyed my McIntosh preamp, so I learned my lesson the hard way. Surge protectors are a must.

Alexandria Audio – Best Sound of the Show

Sharing the top spot with the ATCs, Alexandria Audio’s “The Monitor” bookshelf setup stands out as the Best Sound of the Penang Show, based upon my subjective opinion, and taking into account both price and performance, Alexandria Audio’s bookshelf monitors prove themselves as outstanding performers, capable of competing with the best speakers on the market while maintaining a significantly lower price.

The system consists of:

Streamer: Holo Audio Red USD 850

Network Switch: Holo Audio Cyan 2 USD 1,280

Pre-Amp: Holo Audio Serene KTE USD 3,000

Integrated Amp: Galion Audio TS-120 USD 4,500

It appears there’s more to Bali than just ancient temples, luxurious resorts, and beautiful beaches. Alexandria Audio, founded in Bali, Indonesia in 2019 by Henry Kristanto and Kenneth Lin, is a testament to that. They openly acknowledge drawing inspiration from renowned brands like Altec Lansing, JBL, Shindo Labs, and Kondo Audio in their design philosophy.

The “Monitor” boasts a two-way bookshelf design featuring a birch plywood skeleton and an elegant Ebony veneer finish. Its sound is undeniably natural and organic, carrying a distinct Danish flavor reminiscent of the Dynaudio Special 25 and Peak Consult Princess Signature. If you want a snappy sound with high-contrast clean lines, perhaps consider the Piega Coax 311 or the Borresen M1 or X1 instead.

Interestingly, all the drivers are crafted by SB Acoustics, a renowned speaker driver manufacturer rooted in Danish design principles. The designers at SB Acoustics boast prior experience with esteemed Danish companies such as Peerless, Vifa, and Scan-Speak. Moreover, SB Acoustics is the OEM manufacturer for respected brands such as Wilson Audio, Steinway Lyngdorf, Yamaha, and numerous others.

The sound that impressed me undoubtedly owes some credit to the Galion Audio KT120-based TS120SE Integrated amp. Designed by Thomas Tan in Quebec and manufactured in China, this amplifier carries an MSRP of $4,450 USD. Interestingly, a Google search reveals that the Galion TS120 is an upgraded iteration of the Doge 10 Mk 3 amplifier, which retails for a significantly lower price of just $1,999 directly from the OEM manufacturer. Regardless of the backstory behind the TS120SE amp, what matters most is that I was genuinely impressed by the sound produced by the entire system, delivering high performance at a remarkably reasonable entry price point.

A few days after the show, I had to go to Bali for a wedding, so I decided to take a side trip to visit Alexandria Audio’s founder Henry Kristanto. I heard the Monitor once again in Alexandria’s sound room for an entire afternoon.

The Monitors behave more like full-size floor standers, and their size is actually too big to be called bookshelf speakers. This time around, they were paired with Alexandria’s Legatus tube hybrid power amp. The Legatus features a tube input stage combined with a Class D output stage using the popular Purifi Eigentakt modules. With 700W into 8 ohms, the Legatus has ample power to project the sound in a way that makes the speaker cabinet disappear. Careful attention has been given to positioning the speakers optimally to deliver a well-balanced sound with proper spatial dimensions and a pleasing tonality across the entire frequency spectrum. Once again, the Monitors retain their natural and organic tonality that is so pleasing to the ears.

Like the ATCs, the Alexandria Monitors aren’t tailored for enthusiasts seeking Hi-Fi sonic effects. They may not excel in an A/B shootout or deliver the utmost in pin-drop details. However, these speakers offer conservative designs that ensure prolonged listening without fatigue, making them enduring companions that can be cherished for a lifetime.

A&L Audio Station: AudioSolution Speakers and Electrocompaniet

AudioSolutions is a speaker that had slipped through the cracks at previous shows as I have seen them before. It would be a shame to overlook them again, but thankfully, I listened carefully to “the Figaro” this time around and was thoroughly impressed! When I saw the price tag of $55,000 I was expecting them to be US dollars, but it turns out it was Malaysian Ringgit, which translates to a price of just US 12,000.

The $10-20k price angle is the most competitive space in the speaker world as it is the fanfare for most common men. There is no shortage of competitors from Europe itself and they include:

Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand (US $11,000)
Focal Kanta No.2 (US $11,000)
Sonus Faber Olympica Nova II (US $11,000)
Dynaudio Focus 50 (US $11,000)
Audio Physic Midex (US $13,500)
AudioVector QR7 (US $6,500)

American-made options include the Magico A3 (originally priced at $10,000 but increased by 50% to $15,000), the Vandersteen Treo CT at $10,690, or the Joseph Audio Perspective at $16,000, amongst others. However, American speakers like Magico or Wilson offer a distinctly different sonic profile compared to their European counterparts, buyers from these two groups may have divergent preferences. UK-based speakers such as ATC, Harbeth, PMC, Rogers, or Spendor, on the other hand, offer a notably warmer and more voluptuous presentation, also showcasing significant sonic differences.

Owned and founded by Gediminas Gaidelis in 2011, AudioSolutions is manufactured in Lithuania. The M2 price starts at US9,900 and can go up to US12,000 depending on configuration. The M2 is a 3-Way design, featuring a Mini-horn loaded Silk dome tweeter made by Tympany, an extended mid-range driver, and an SB-Acoustic bass driver. The exterior finish, crafted from “Metalized Plastic,” is fully customizable in multiple colors. It offers a perfect fusion of futuristic high-tech aesthetics with refined and timeless elegance, creating a distinctive look and feel. But the “Metalized Plastic” is only the exterior cabinet, it is bonded to the inner MDF cabinet with polyurethane.

The sound? Undoubtedly natural, smooth, and relaxed—fitting precisely into the category of speakers I prefer. The bass is extended, textured, and deep, while the mids are rich and full-bodied, never harsh or overly analytical. The tweeter delivers an airy sound with just the right amount of extension, avoiding any hint of tinny or sibilant qualities.

What’s driving the Figaro M2s? The Electrocompaniet EC 4.8 M II Preamp, the ECM 1 Mk II Streamer DAC, and the AW-800M Amplifier.

Analog at the Penang Show

Analog was rather disappointing, as there were only three turntables at the entire show. The first was a Linn Magik LP 12 (US $5,000) found in local dealer Hi-Fi Choice’s room. The Magik is basically an entry-level version of the legendary Linn LP12. It includes a sandwich-construction aluminium sub-chassis, patented single-point Karousel bearing, internally mounted low-noise power supply, and low-friction Krane tonearm.

The second is Mobile Fidelity’s funky looking “Fender Precision Deck Turntable” (US $3,495), which is a limited edition with a sunburst finish limited to 1000 numbered units worldwide. The table comes with a tonearm, and a MasterTracker cartridge, fine-tuned by Spiral Groove’s Allen Perkins. Mo-Fi is distributed by Center Circle Audio of Malaysia.

The third table was also found in Center Circle Audio’s second room, a VPI Classic Signature (US $6,299).

As a dedicated analog enthusiast, seeing three turntables is certainly better than nothing, but the reality is only the Linn table was actively being played. The other two mostly sat static. The overwhelming prevalence of digital is likely a reflection of the barren analog landscape in Penang. My conversations with the majority of the dealers also suggest analog knowledge to be severely lacking. Let’s remain hopeful for a change in the future.

Statement Systems in Penang: Marten, MSB, & Lumin

By “Statement Systems,” I don’t mean this is a “statement system.” It is the name of the local dealer in Penang.

Marten speakers hold a special place in my heart, as their sound and finish consistently exceed expectations. From the distinctive appearance of the woofers to the precision machining of the component feet, to the remarkably glossy piano finish, Marten speakers exude a sense of luxury akin to fine jewelry. They are the “Rolls Royce” of speakers, and have the price sticker to show for it.

The system is an all out assault, or close thereof:

Digital Player: Lumin U2 Network Player USD $5,000

Digital Player 2: Antipodes Oladra USD $30,000

D/A Converter: MSB Reference USD $58,000

D/A Converter 2: MSB Reference Digital Director USD $26,000

Power Amp: MSB S500 Stereo Amp USD $80,000

Speakers: Marten Mingus Septet Statement Edition USD $150,000

Total: USD $349,000

The speakers were not optimized in the room, resulting in noticeable bass response issues. Given exhibitors have limited time to set everything up, and it takes considerable skill to achieve optimal speaker positioning so all can be forgiven. How does the system sound apart from the room acoustic issues? One word: Elegant. And if I was to choose a speaker to buy at the show with unlimited budget, the Martens would be my choice.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (one of the few rooms that plays Classical Music!), highlighted the Marten’s pristine silky top end, nothing else came close, save maybe the Borresen or the Piega ribbon drivers. “Libertango” by 40 Fingers totally shows off the “snappiness” of the plucking of the guitar strings. I know it is cheesy audiophile music, but it was O So Satisfying! “Sixteen Tons” by Geoff Castellucci is the 6th arrangement of his “Bass Singer Covers” series. His resonant bass chest voice seduces you with vibrations that you can feel across the room. The backing vocals show off the soundstage which was wide and expansive. They certainly chose the right music to catch your attention.

I never thought much of the MSB Amplifier until I discovered it is clearly a tour de force and a fantastic match with the Marten. The matching MSB digital front end is no surprise, as they have always been one of the best digital front end equipment in the entire market.

The walls were aligned with “Artnovion” acoustic panels, which I had initially mistaken for Vicoustics Panels. Artnovion is made in Portugal by Jorge Castro. They are aesthetically pleasing alternatives to otherwise bare walls or DIY solutions. Their proper deployment will likely involve more than just a salesman’s home visit; it should encompass the use of room measurement equipment for frequency response and bass resonance.

AA Audio Music Server/Streamer

Next to the Marten/MSB room is AA Audio, a local Malaysian manufacturer specializing in digital products. AA Audio prioritizes its value proposition: providing top-notch sound quality without straining your budget. Multiple units of AA servers were on open display, showcasing high-quality components such as oversized toroidal transformers, Mundorf Capacitors, and high-quality Teac transports.

Prices start at just USD $1,160 to USD $2,288 direct from the manufacturer. In the world of high-end audio, such prices are unheard of, because the whole is cheaper than the sum of the parts. Just a few Mundorf capacitors can cost hundreds of dollars so AA Audio must have some tricks up their sleeves to get prices this low.

The sound? Remarkable. This was one of the better-sounding setups at the show. For one thing, they did all the basics right. The speakers were positioned at an optimal spot in the room, driven by a McIntosh Amp which is always soothing to the ears. The AA unit was the top-of-the-line “AAMS with LPS-1,” whatever that meant. But coming from the USD $350,000 dollar system next door to this one, the shock and awe didn’t come from next door, but from AA system’s ability to deliver as promised: “The Best Sound without Breaking Your Bank!” Ok may be not the best, but next door is not $350k better either.

The Attention Grabber: Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker

The Monitor Audio Hyphn has a striking appearance reminiscent of the TIE/LN Starfighter from Star Wars. At USD $135,000, it could launch into flight right from your living room.

The Hyphn took three years to design and it was conceived as a celebration of Monitor Audio’s 50th Anniversary to demonstrate the company’s current design, engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and its future ambitions. Said to be the most advanced speaker ever built, the Hyphn is a “Point Source Driver Array” where the high, mid and low-frequency drivers emanate from one spot.

The three drivers are intricately packed into the heart of the speaker. At the very center of the speaker which looks more like a nuclear reactor, is an MPD III High-frequency transducer which extends the frequency to exceed 60 Hz, a range that only my cat can hear. It is surrounded by six mid-range drivers that utilize Rigid Diapharm Technology cones (RDT-III) with Ceramic-Coated Aluminum (C-Cam), which makes them extremely light and strong. Distortion is reduced by 8 dB above 300 Hz. Four 8” bass drivers are secured by inch-think metal rod fixings that run through the width of the cabinet, resulting in a vibration-free cabinet. Like I said, the Hyphn will likely take off from your living room, I just haven’t found the launch button.

The Hyphn shared the room with a Tannoy and AirTight system arranged in an L-shaped configuration, requiring listeners to wait for one system to finish playing before rotating their seats or body to enjoy the Hyphn. Emi Fujita’s cover of “Desperado” left me very desperate, wanting more! The Hyphn sounded remarkable, and like nothing I have ever heard before.

While my expectations for funky-looking speakers are typically modest, the Hyphn certainly exceeded them by a huge margin. I was expecting a hard analytical sound, with boomy bass – they were the opposite. The sound was clean, natural, and textured. If they complement your room’s aesthetics, they’re sure to be a conversation starter, impressing friends not only with their appearance but also with their exceptional sound quality.

Hi Fi Choice: Tannoy, AirTight and Linn

You can tell who the elephant in the room is by counting how many rooms they took, and how much equipment they brought. Hi-Fi Choice, again, referring to the dealer and not the British magazine, is that elephant in Malaysia. Turning the body toward the other direction in the same room was a system at the other end of the spectrum in looks and sounds.

Having owned a pair of Tannoy Canterburys in my living room for almost 5 years, listening to the SGM15 felt like a reunion with a lover. At US $16,000, the SGM15 is a 2 way 15” dual concentric loudspeaker, with a 150W power handling, 93 dB sensitivity at 8 ohms. The finishing on the SGM15, however, left much to be desired, and the smaller Stirling II LZ special edition carries a much closer resemblance to the old Canterbury that I used to own. Priced at US $16,750, they are almost the same price as the SGM15 but sized much smaller. Put a gun to my head and I’d choose the Stirling. For me, Tannoy speakers must come with old English-style fine cabinetry; without it, something feels lacking.

I was fortunate enough to bump into Yutaka “Jack” Miura San, CEO of AirTight, who brought with him the all-new ATM-1E Integrated amplifier, listed at USD $13,870. Jack explained that his heart has a soft spot for the EL-34 tube. I don’t blame him. Female vocals coming out of this AirTight and Tannoy combo are addictive, and no other system sounded as seductive at the show when Teresa Teng was played.