[the delicious carmen soo]

[1] you can tell one person's character from the way he treats his competitors. the local chinese magazine, after much pressure from the dealers and the market forces, has started a website. in two of his articles, the computer-challenged editor attacked yours truly by saying that "hifi bloggers are full of nonsense, deceit and irresponsibility" and that 2v1g is "a low-budget production with ordinary recording and unknown singers". am i supposed to retaliate? not worth it. i shall leave such low-life with his own opinions. he is not worth my attention. the discerning audiophiles would know who's the one having the substance and mettle.

[2] meridian is having a major shake-up worldwide with the addition of a new investor. (i haven't googled for info on the net yet). malaysia, hong kong, japan and france distributors have relinquished its distributorship. it is not likely that absolute hifi will take up distributorship for malaysia because meridian is never their cup of tea. so my 808 will remain a distant dream.

[3] one dealer has instigated the idea of forming "an association of hifi dealers in malaysia". i don't know what's the benefit of such move but i already see major obstacles ahead to unite the dealers. too many politics and very little in common. but i will see what i can do to help the initiative. someone also made the suggestion to "buy up av xpress" in an attempt to "commercialize it" and "beef up its contents". hey, you mean my magazine is for sale?

[4] 3,000 copies of 2v1g have been snapped up and we are into our 3rd pressing. hooray! to those who support us - thanks a million!

[1] a dealer called me up and asked me what's the best cd(s) to play at the hifi show because he is sick of the typical audiophile cds. i told him: teddy robin and cheer chen, if his system can handle it. to me, teddy cd is still the best chinese audiophile recording of the year. we would aspire one day to record something like that but it would still be a long way for us before we reach that standard.

[2] with the double- run of stage III gryphon in my system, i just listen to music and stop analyzing. which is a good thing to a perfectionist like me.

[3] lily chen has left rain forest label, the label that launched her career as the most sought after audiophile singer in the chinese audiophile music industry. has fame caught up with her? i shudder to think what will happen to 2v1g if success gets into their head.

[4] i am shortlisting the best musicians for the next audiophile album project. i need a top-notch (jazz) arranger, for a start. any recommendations?

[5] a lot of dealers reported poor business of late, citing the fact that "most people are waiting for the hifi show". is that really the case? i personally think audiophiles only buy affordable stuff at the show and not the expensive stuff.

[6] i will be distributing av xpress in the KLIAV show at level 4, the same floor as all the cd stalls, at the same time, selling 2v1g cds. if you see a good-looking guy manning the stall with two pretty gals, come to say "hi" to me.

[7] talking about pretty gals, i hope tong lee won't hire indonesian maids as their helpers this time. just joking, ling.