Furutech Select SK-II Electrostatic brush, made from "finest of hard to find goat's hair!" Now I am wondering Hmmm........

The contents and the packaging. The Tsai Ching LP does NOT come with it!

When an LP sticks to the platter felt mat when you lift it up after playing, means it is statically charged, very dangerous scenario as the lifted felt mat could get caught with the stylus tip and break it, an especially pain full experience if you've got an expensive cartridge installed! The static charge can manifest itself in the next play in the form of clicks and pops. One effective way to kill the static charge is using the Milty static gun. Furutech proposes another way, in the form of the Select SK-II brush. Apparently made from "finest of hard to find goat's hair" as quoted from packaging. The brush bristles are soft and feel nice to touch.

Now, that's how you do it! I can be a hand model too! How's that for an alternative career choice?

It's the most effective brush I've come across so far. LPs that previously lifted the felt mat after playing doesn't do so anymore after a brush before play. Post Furutech Select SK-II brushed LPs sound very quiet, without the clicks and pops, if there were stubborn dirts, it's very certainly lessened(the clicks and pops that is). It also claims to do the same on CDs. Do CDs get static charged as it spins inside the player? I don't know, nor can I verify the phenomenon. However, I did try the SK-II brush on some old dusty CDs, and it works by very completely removing the dust from CD's play surface, which is the non-label side, just in case you're wondering.

It's supposed to work on CDs too!

The Furutech SK-II brush selling price is RM$590 each. I know, it's obscene amount of $$$ to pay for a brush. I have an Allstop Antistatic brush, bought a few years ago for less than RM$100 a piece. By comparison, the Allstop does a half decent job of removing the static charge on LPs. As to the value of the brush, I would leave to the eyes of the beholder, personally I know two owners of reference level LP playing system already bought the Furutech SK-II brushes. For them it's small money to pay for peace of mind, knowing that they have one less reason to worry about snapping off the stylus tip on their very expensive cartridge. If you have to ask how much does their cartridge cost? I would say about the same price of a brand new Perodua Viva!(Malaysian made entry level 0.66ltr engined car!) Just to put things in to perspective and whom might buy them.

Furutech is sold by Audiomatic, contact Eugene, tel: 012-3222698

Audio Magic Pulse Gen ZX.

Audio Magic cables are my first exposure to high end silver cables back then in 1998. I remembered they sounded magical in a friend's place. I could not afford them then. But now they've included PLCs and other power treatment products as well.

Mike of Audio Creations has asked me to test drive their latest Audio Magic products, namely Pulse Gen ZX and Quantum Physics Noise Disrupter.

Audio Magic Quantum Physics.

A review to come soon. I know it's gonna be a very hot topic!

Audio Magic is sold by Audio Creations, contact Mike, tel: 012-3315669

An early X'mas present from Santa!? I've been a good boy too, Ha!Ha!

My friend called and told me ecstatically that he's just got the JPS Aluminata power cord, and he'd like me to cook his new toy with my home brew kable kooker.

Packed with classy aluminium case, ribbon and all, inside a certificate of authenticity greets you.

I cook the JPS Aluminata for about 18 hours or so, during which the cable ran moderately warm to touch, always a good sign when cooking! Stone cold cables when cooking means a non-effective cook!

Cooking the big snake.

After which, I proceeded to plug the 2 meter length JPS Aluminata in to my Marantz CD7, replacing my AOR Reference 003, I heard a sound that is very familiar, but with much better resolving low level resolution. I guess it was the Marantz CD7 doing it's thing again, i.e., not responding to tweaks!

I then proceeded to plug the JPS Aluminata in to my Pass X2.5 pre amp, again played my favorite music, lo-and-behold! It was an immediate show stopping moment from time the play button was pressed on the CDP. The rest of the sound impression below is done with the JPS powering my pre amp.

The sound now took on an whole new dimension. The first thing I noticed was the bass, full, in control, gutsy and extends very low!, about as low as I've heard before in my room. The mids give vocals great body and mass(I listened to Tsai Chin's Lou Ge on a recently re-issued 180 grams LP), pianos and violins have just the right amount of balance between strings and wood reverb(I was listening to Tube Hifi Violin, by Wilhelm Dennigen playing the Sennhauser, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu 1735 violin, accompanied by back ground piano). On that CD, I have never heard Wilhelm breath so much in to the mike so closely and each with diferent intensity! Also never before apparent is the bowing and playing techniques which he executes that sounds so melodramatic! I didn't know I was missing that much of musical experience on this very familiar CD.

My all time favourite violin/piano duet CD! I must have listened to this a million times by now.

The highs are smooth, extended and at once airy. The whole sound stage and image had an organic, believable aura to it! Compared to the PS Audio Plus, post listening to the JPS Aluminata, I've found the PS Audio to have a certain artificial, some what edgy sheen added to the violin, of the above same CD. I've never picked this out before. But to be fair, at RM$11K(recommended retail price, my friend told me he got it for a lot less as he ordered it during the JPS cable sales at Center Circle Audio) the top dog JPS is almost 10 times the price of the middling PS Audio!, no contest here for sure.

The JPS Aluminata, laying over the AOR Reference 003(underneath), for a size able comparison?

That's my brief few hours with the JPS Aluminata, to date the most expensive, but probably, the very best power cord to have grazed my humble system! In a way, it made me felt that I've just graduated from a top dollar hifi lesson, hence my alumini! I would not call this a review, but rather a preview, just from a few hours of enjoyment with the JPS Aluminata.

My friend called up to ask how a felt about his new toy, I told him the above, he came over straight away, took it home, and as I checked on him in the late evening, he was still listening and immersed in his music! He sure is one lucky fella!

In case you're wondering, Center Circle seems to still have some stock of those wonderful JPS cables for sale! Do hurry if you've not check it out just yet!

JPS cables are sold by Center Circle Audio, tel:03 77282686.

I first saw and had a brief showroom audition of these pretty towers at Adelphi in Singapore. They sound pretty good in an unfamiliar system and showroom.

I saw them again in CMY's display windows sometime after Chinese New Year. I gave John of CMY a call to enquire.

The Proacs are now in my music cave. Stay tuned.

The Bryston 3BSST2 sitting neat & petite. Note the input sensitivity is adjustable for 1V or 2V.

Just got a chance to hear last night, the brand new Bryston 3B SST2. Actually, it's pronounced as 3BSST Squared.

James of AV Designs was in my place to check out how the PMC's were doing and if he could do anything to aid in set up. Now, this is the sort of high end dealer we need, after spending our hard earned cash, a follow up after sales visit is re-assuring indeed. Just to be clear, I did not nor have any intentions to purchase any speaker products for now. James you do this for most your customers??? I hear?? Ha! Ha!

He'd thought it be nice for me to hear the new, latest Bryston sound, if there was one. The 3BSST2, is rated for 2 X 150W RMS. And once plugged in to my system, via the XLR input(with input sensitivity adjusted to 2V), replacing my ageing Pass Aleph mono blocks, boy, the Bryston is indeed very much more louder and more power full sounding! What's more surprisingly, for a class A/B amp, the tonal quality very much approaches the lucidity and the warmness of the class A Pass Aleph. Bass is robust and very well controlled. The mids are open and smooth, plus the highs are very tidy, well extended and have very relaxed airy nature to it. The music flow, or just plain musicality is very much improved over the older SST series, which I always thought to have a slight analytical quality to it. The unit which we played with just landed only 2 days ago. It's not thoroughly run in yet, brings so much sound promise to the table, so to speak. Through out the listening session, the amp's heat sinks only ran moderately warm to touch.

My brief 2 hours with the 3BSST2 , powering the PMC GB1i, was thoroughly enjoyable. James quoted a retail price of RM15K, which is actually quite attractive, considering that it's a Canadian manufactured product carrying a 20 year parts and labour warranty. And that's no bull.

Note: This is by no means a review, rather it's just a quick sound impression.

Bryston is sold by AV Designs, contact James, Tel: 03-21712828

Furutech FI-32(G), waiting, waiting, wait.........


It's the first day of Chinese New Year in to the year of the Ox. I have contemplated long enough and decided to go Furutech all the way! From power conditioner to sources and pre amps and power amps! However, most stocks from the existing batch imported earlier have been mostly exhausted by now, I managed to wrestle two last pieces of FI-11(G) for my source and pre amp to complement the earlier FI-11(CU) at the power amps. The FI-32(G) will have to wait till new batch arrives sometime in February. Needless to say, I am very happy with both versions of the FI-11 so far. Will report fully once the final piece comes in to play.

Top: Isotek Titan, Lower: Titan rear view.

Whilst at it, I have the flagship Isotek Titan power conditioner on review. Let's see if it will rise to challenge the so far undisputed leader, Torus Power, for the state of the art status.


Cardas Golden Reference speaker cable.

Also in the works is a pair of Cardas Golden Reference speaker cables on review. It's one of the longest standing member of the Reference moniker, does it still stand tall? Or has the cable market moved on?

Furutech & Isotek sold by Centre Circle Audio, Tel: 03-77282686

Other Furutech Dealers:
Audio Matic (Eugene - 012-3222698)
Dong Fong (Ken Sin - 012-4678788)

Cardas sold by Hi-Way Laser, Tel: 019-2813399


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(Apologies to Panzer for plagiarizing his title) :-)

I am too busy with work this week and next to blog any thing substantial. So I just post a couple of 'teasers' here. :-)

ONE
I did not have good experience with spikes, either of metal or exotic wood, under my equipment (granted, those I tested were not the expensive types). But with my recent exposure to Finite Elemente's 'ceramic ball interface', I am a convert. Well, Finite Elemente's ceramic ball interfaces are not spikes as such, but more of equipment support footers actually.

They also produce Resonator - this one very much rooted in science and mathematics, go check out their approach on their website.

The picture below shows, from left, Resonator, Cerapuc (set of 4) and Ceraball (set of 3, dealer's demo set) that I am testing out now.


The Cerapucs are already mine (hehe). The local dealer, Audio Image, has run out of Ceraballs so I have to wait for the next shipment. As for the Resonator, I am still checking out its efficacy since I have it only for 2 days.

One of my new year's hifi resolutions is to do something about my system's racking. I splurged and ordered a Finite Elemente Pagode Signature rack (can't stretch to the extremely tempting Pagode Master Reference :-) ). It is also out of stock, sigh, I need to wait 2 months for it to come in.

TWO
You have seen the Meridian boxes that maggielurva posted. One of them belongs to me. :-)

Just post some pictures here in addition to maggielurva's. Mine is not yet out of its box. I don't want to change too many things in the system in one go, afraid I won't be able to isolate their effects. I will take it out just for a spin tonight to make sure everything is in order.

The sweet moment of unboxing

The very comprehensive accessories pack

Letting you in on a secret - while maggielurva sounded calm on his earlier blog entry, in private he is in rupture with the Meridian's sound. :-)

Sigh, it is only one week into January, and I have busted my hifi budget for the entire year. I really need to hold the brakes now.

I'll write more about my experience with these items end of next week when I'm freer. Till then.....


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A reader, Lim called me up recently to enquire about his options in the Power Line Conditioner purchase decision. He got me in unprepared that day, while I was in the middle of some work, I didn't think I was very helpful that day.

My apologies to Lim, after sleeping over it for a while, I'd like to provide some options and a quick take from my limited experience with each product. Hopefully, it'll provide Lim and others, if any, in a similar position a quick shortlist. As Lim did not state his budget and preferences, I'd run it through over three popular price points in the market available.

Up to RM$1,000.00

Bada LB-3300

I've experienced this in a friend's place, rather rudimentary, but better with than without. The said entry level CDP, pre-power system sounded more silent with less background hash when plugged in thru the Bada. The sound staging also appeared slightly deeper and wider. It didn't seem to inhibit dynamics of the 30W per channel class A/B power amp in the system. Build quality looks decent for the price and what is essentially a China made product. Certainly a good starter experience for someone getting in to power conditioning products on a budget.

Sold by Audio Synthesis, tel: 03-7956 7024

Up to RM$5,000.00

Soundstage SER-5500

This is an all in one product where it combines an AVR with various filtering options. The nice fluorescent blue display indicating input/output voltage and system current draw in amperes is very informative and useful. In the entry level high end system that it was used with, I had a ball of a time just playing with different filtering options, each resulting in subtle if noticeable difference to the sound. In the system using pre-power amp rated class A/B 250W per channel, I felt it ultimately did restrict the dynamics of the system somewhat. Despite having various filtering options, none were as effective as the class leaders in this price range. Note the picture above is of an older model, the new model sports a fancier display.

Sold by Tong Lee Co., tel: 03-2141 4366

Isotek GII Mini Sub

With it's Noise Gating feature, it affected the sound of my system to a certain degree by giving it a relatively darker background and very much free from grain and hash at the high frequencies. It made each musical note just that little bit more distinct. Sound stage is a little more laid back and imaging is more solid. However, when I used my 75W class A mono block power amps thru the Mini Sub, the result was dynamics and power transient limitation. I much preferred it just used with source and pre-amp duties.

Sold by Center Circle Audio, tel: 03-7728 2686

Audio Magic Mini Stealth Reference

The Mini Stealth Reference made my system sounded quieter but not darker. Sound staging is somewhat a little more forward too. It's also tonally a little on the lean side of neutral. When used with my power amps as per mentioned above, the dynamics was explosive. It never limit the current supply, but even enhanced the power delivery when the musical performance called for. This PLC likes to be current loaded!, and performs best as an all in one solution.

Sold by Audio Creations, tel: 012-331 5669

Shunyata Hydra 4

This is possibly the most popular choice of PLC at the price point. It's very effective in it's noise elimination role and somehow always manages to sound harmonically rich, textured and life like. Music has a natural flow with it. Staging and imaging properties are usually improved upon too. While in Maggie Lurva's system, it did not sound like it was limiting current to the 120W mono blocks tube ARC power amps, but in another system using power amp rated at 500W class A/B stereo, it did show signs of holding back. It's probably the best all in one system solution at the price range but does not seem to like powering too big a power amp. Hey! that's what it's higher ranges are for.

Sold by Audio Matic, tel: 012-322 2698

Up to RM$10,000.00

Isotek GII Sigmas

It improves upon the strengths of the Mini Sub, it made my system free of background noise. It retained all the tonal richness in my system. Sound staging is more enveloping and imaging is denser too. Despite the Adaptive Noise Gating feature, my power amps were still somewhat restricted on the dynamics front, though not as badly as the Mini Sub. I only use it for my sources and pre amps.

Sold by Center Circle Audio, tel: 03-7728 2686

Audio Magic Stealth XXX

To appreciate Audio Magic's abilities, I feel the Stealth XXX is best place to start. It's again very quiet like the Mini Stealh Reference, but only now, the slight tonal leanness is gone. It's as full bodied sounding as the Isotek Sigmas. The staging is very open and airy minus the slightly forward quality of it's little brother. The power delivery will make your power amp sound like on steroids, but yet maintained poise and refinement. The best all in one solution at this price point.

Sold by Audio Creations, tel: 012-331 5669

Above RM$10,000.00

PS Audio Power Plant Premier.

It's the most silent power conditioner available, only because it's a re generator. It has two modes of filter choice, each subtly different. The area most impressive is gives the power amps absolute control over the bass frequencies. Because it's so eerily silent, every musical details and nuances are brought out, but sometimes presented analytically. In the 300W class A/B rated power amp based system, it did not show up any current restriction or limitation. However, I am not sure if that could be a problem with higher powered class A rated power amps. Very impressive!

Sold by A&L Audio, tel: 03-7958 2884

Torus Power 4A - 8A

In my experience, this has gotta be the most state of the art power conditioner in the market today! I tested the 4A in my system, powering my power amps, and it took my system to a whole new level I never knew possible until then. The sound stage totally opened up the room boundaries, the imaging is so good, the singer's in my room, all very believable! There is so much details in the bass of the music never heard before. The system's tonal colours, harmonics are all flushed out and presented in a very organic fashion. Music is so alive. I totally did not expect this from a PLC. I also heard the higher range, more expensive 8A performing the same miracles on to a system already so well acclaimed, which Maggie Lurva visited recently. It just brought that system several notches up the performance ladder, as per Maggie Lurva's posting of the home visit. My only gripe with the Torus Power PLCs, you'll need to make sure your system current draw does not exceed it's rated spec, and lastly, why can't it be more affordable?

Sold by AV Designs, tel: 03-2171 2828

This list is not the most comprehensive, as there are notable contenders which I never had the chance to experience, namely the Transparent Power Banks and the Audience Responce PLCs. PLCs are also difficult products to evaluate, because their results may not be consistent depending on the following factors:

1) The local power supply quality, this is highly variable.

2) System compatibility, different systems places different strains and demands on to the PLC.

3) The purchaser's point of reference and expectations.

Your experience may not agree to what I've just posted. The final and summary caveat is the ever popular "Your mileage may vary!" in the choice of PLC for your system.

Lim, if you've not already made your purchase, I hope this helps.

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introducing jim smith's (US distributor for avantgarde loudspeakers) latest book titled "get better sound"...

why i think this is a great book is because jim smith hits the nail on the head by stating all the relevant issues plaguing audiophiles, especially those who are not getting a good sound:

"in all my visits to audiophiles' home - to my great suprise - i have never encountered one system that was performing anywhere near its potential. in fact, very few were performing at even half of the performance of which they were capable!"

"and yet the common denominator among their owners was the question - "what about upgrading to XYZ component?"

"but their priorities were misplaced. there was no need to spend another dime on components until they had gotten their system optmized to "play the room""

exactly my sentiments. but not all audiophiles are bent on upgrades all the times, especially malaysian audiophiles. some just don't know how to max out their systems because they don't know how far their systems can go. they don't have a reference.

go buy this book!