Overseas Visitor Corner
This thread is dedicated to fellow visitors overseas from all over the world who was kind enough to spend time at AE. You are welcome to share your experiences in this thread.
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The setup at the time of my visit was: Wave Kinetics NVS turntable,Durand Telos arm, Ikeda Kai cartridge, Wadax phono stage, Robert Koda K-15 preamp, Lars 2 mono amplifiers and the Cessaro Brahms speakers all connected with Dalby and Goebel cabling and power leads. What was it like? Absolutely WONDERFUL.
PT we will meet up again soon.
Cheers Koala
What only some Hifi - fans know is the existence of an audio company which is dealing with the most exciting products from all over the world.
I found them by accident. I bought a used amp from one of their customers. The owner of the unit I’ve bought promised me to arrange an appointment with his dealer, Chris from AE.
Half a year later, I’m in the entrance of a small HK - townhouse. Nothing shows you what you will experience, if you enter AE’s listening room in the upper floor.
Immediately after entering the room, you will realize that you are in a different world. The room is completely covered with especially built audio walls and without any window.
The room is very, very quite and that is not an easy job in HK. In front of you is installed a very nice and big audio system.
The system was composed of Cessaro Liszt speaker, Koda K15 pre, Lars 2 power amp, Wadax phono amp and an exotic turntable with Ikeda MC.
For sure power conditioner, grounding unit and extrem cable. I called Chris an audio extremist and we were laughing about it!
All was extreme audio equipment, but in this system everything fits perfectly together. And that is one of the secrets at AE.
Chris and me listened to all kind of music: Pop, Jazz, Voices of women/men, Opera, Violin and Piano.
What should I say: It was phenomenal! Very close to real music and enjoyable to listen to.
In Europe, I listened to big systems too, some of them came close but none of them was playing at that level!
At AE you’ll meet amazing people with amazing equipment and the result is unique. For me it was worth to travel to HK and to meet Chris.
Today I’m back to Europe and I wonder what the most interesting points of HK were to me. Nobody has mentioned AudioExotics as a highlight.
For me definitely THIS was The Highlight.
All the components of the system displayed their ultra qualities to the maximum. One particular component stood out prominently...the Tripoint Emperor. An amazing component and a must-have for all highend systems. When Chris disconnected it, it was just unlistenable in comparison. Without thus grounding system, we are just hearing noise!
Truly, the AE experience was our most memorable and unforgettable one.
When my friend Tan , thf99 told me he managed to contact Chris of audioexotics for a demo at his showroom, I decided to join the bandwagon for the privilege of such audition to discover for my self what is the hype all about at audioexotics . It is mere hype or the real deal ?
The showroom was located at an commercial building fronting the harbour at the end of the Sheung Wan MTR. Took awhile for us to locate the place , thanks to a gentleman .
The showroom is pretty impressive with proper room treatment & power management with a pretty good size room bearing in mind the ultra pricey rental in Hk.
We proceeded to listen to LP after LP , some familiar some not some . We were amazed with the ultra realism of the system particularly when Chris played Jacky Cheung , Snow , Wolf & Lake LP especially the duet track . It's as though they were singing in the room for us. Prior to that , Chris showcase a Mozart piano piece by Maria Joao Pires label Denon. PCM . I have never heard a piano piece sounded so real . He told us he is a piano tuner , as in technically competent piano tuner or he tuned the system according to this piano piece , I m not sure . Whatever is it , this piano LP sounded mesmerising . Towards the end of the 2 hours audition, chris told us that he will demo the effective of Tripoint Emperor grounding , the trademark sound of audioexotics ( in his own words ) & we will not want to listen to the syst if he remove the grounding . He proceeded to removed the ground cable from the durand telos tonearm. The system simply collapsed & it was not as engaging anymore . I m truly converted to the wonder of Tripoint ground box . Only barrier is the cost of entry ie usd14k for Tripoint signature SE & usd70k for Emperor ( crazy price ) . However if u have audition it , I doubt u want to listen to your system without the Tripoint. Skeptics will continue to be skeptical but to me , hearing is believing
I had gone to HK for the Hi Fi Show & upon prior appointment was 'welcomed' on a Saturday @ 1030 hours.
I was on time & was greeted & welcomed.
I was not carrying any LP's - Only CD's & Wave Files - but there was no CD Player or its alterations....
Settled in & some blues was playing.
I requested for Classical to be played & my request was implemented.
I am not going to get into the system specifics - cause all persons already know. I have attached a picture too.
This is a 'great' audio set up - musical to the 'T'
The 'Big' Cessaro's have disappeared & all you get at you is a 'wave' of music.....
All components have been carefully chosen.
Matched & made to work correctly. Harmoniously.
Powerful tubes on a TAD Driver based system is a 'scary' proposition to put together. Very difficult to keep the noise floor down.
The smallest of things gets amplified & then glares at you; That was not the case here.
The audio system was playing very smooth. Effortless. Great sense of timing & tremendous speed.
I walked away after a good hour & a half spent - 100 % satisfied.
All audiophiles that live in HK & are visiting HK - should try and make the trip.
Do call & go for a listen.
It may well be worth your time.
Thanks to AE for 'accommodating' me on a 'tight' schedule. It was morning on Saturday well spend.
'bhagwan'
zher.in
Mumbai - India
Upon entering the first thing to come to attention is the overbearing (visual) presence of the Cessaros. I brought a # of Lp’s with wide variety and we went through all of them in a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Upon the first moments it became clear that this room and installation has very serious and time-consuming attention spend to it. The sound is fully removed from any visual clues (or expectations) one might have and the initial impression is of clarity and space. Space for the music to appear, blossom and vanish.
Tone colours, dynamics, from the small scale single tone to the large, layering of sound and transients from appearance to decay are all up there.
The Emperor is probably perceived as a kind of AE trademark or centrepiece. It sure adds tremendously to the AE sound (though the missing “noise” translates, at least for me, not as expected through removing a layer or a veal but more in gestalt and colour).
But it is more the holistic approach taking care of all elements, also ground noise, which makes AE exceptional in my view. Compared to the vast majority of other dealer systems I have experienced this is way out there and removed (in a very positive sense).
AE is a vinyl place, and a classical place. The creation of the sound of the piano in front of me was very much testament to this. Given my rather broader musical taste we encountered one element where I was missing some energy or driving force in the music which I felt before with the piece. But then we need to keep n mind to be careful to understand which Rome one is travelling to.
Looking back, I have the memory of a system which is build driven by the love for music, and yes a constant quest for what lies beyond.
Thank you again for accommodating my visit.
BruceW
the seemingly complete Audio experience while so elusive, can be attained if ones searches hard enough—over my 75 years on this Mother earth I have to admit my sonic blissful moments while immensely pleasing
the Perfect Playback to my ears and senses has only happened on two occasions that stand out above the many systems I have owned and experienced bit in Homes/Aparts/Shows/etc.
One such memorable occurred today courtesy of Chris and his magnificent Audio Exotics presentation .
Allow me to first say it is indeed refreshing to be accorded a Listening session with such generosity and welcoming attitude—I’d never met Chris before—he arranged to accommodate my good self and at a time convenient and
was precise and courteous. This for starters set the tone for listening upon our greeting—I’m sure there are many of you who walk with trepidation into similar Hi End Establishments knowing full well you could be
made to feel uncomfortable and a distraction—I know I have many times—I recall Knocking on Lyric NY years ago to find it locked and stared down by Mike the K—I never even got in that door—ha!
This unfortunately exists today in too many dealers/Importers—sadly—I applaud Chris Leung for being above that code and indeed he stated he welcomes Overseas Visitors to his “fold”—and what an Aladdin’s cave it is
Hold onto your hats Ladies and gentleman —the AE sonic presentation is One of the two finest systems I have ever heard.
With relaxed state of mind—no pressure to buy or “what are you looking for/etc”— CL introduced the System to me —all vinyl thank goodness!
Little was I prepared for the presentation as I heard today the Purity /dynamics/separation/soundstage/ air around the instruments/the attack when it came was breathtaking!— I have never heard such clear pristine instruments
and the black background—second to none—from Rossini in full cry to the demure Spanish Guitar/ Mozart Piano Sonata’s—I could not fault the playback—and believe me CL likes it LOUD—ha!—I listened intently for nearly 2 hours
and ner a worry to my ears -even the concert hall levels at times—Kudos to the perfect system synergy—simply astounding and second to none in my book.
As visitor to Hong Kong and I like to think I am an Audio buff-although my friend think sometimes I’m an Audio “Bluff”!—I urge Forum members that have not had the opportunity to visit and indulge in true Audio Nirvanas
to avail themselves of the hospitality of Audio Exotics—it is a true Experience to savour. My heartiest Congrats to Chris—well done -world class!
Ah yes the goodies!
The wonderful Zanden Amps 40 W SETs—only ones in the world!
The Vertere TT and Arm with the Miyajama Madake MC ( Yeah I own this Cartridge!!)—absolutely stunning— just listen to this combo to put paid the the adage that belt drives have Scale but no Weight—this combo blows that outa the water
The Wadax DIGITAL Phono —yes well I blinked and rolled eyes too!—but oh my you gotta experience this—it is so dynamic in spades!
The Marvellous Robert Koda K15 Pre— state of the Art-period
The Cessaro Carmen super Speakers—so pure and lack of apparent distortion —the attack on transients has to be heard to be believed
An the TriPoint AC Conditioner and Ground Box—yes big plus expensive—CL took the Ground unit out of the system—wow!—the difference was absolutely there to hear— the TriPoint is indeed a must if
absolute blackness of Noisefloor is paramount—you need to hear this unit—it won me over big time!
Cabling myriad of Goebel / Dalby/ PranaWire/etc /etc—just verging on Divorce material if left in view I feel—but hey!— so much a part of the sum total— just buy her that Birkin Bag she’s admiring!!
And the Room minimal treatment but the sound so much a part of the Room— I could not fault—all was present and accounted for.
That my friends was my hours at AE—please as I said if you can manage to audition at Audio Exotics—you will be in for a rare treat
Ok I’ll sign off but in case you are wondering —what was the other System I’ve heard that rates with this one—
Well believe it or not—also in Hong Kong ,Circa early 80’s—I coerced a youthful Jeffery Luk of Excel to let me hear the Levinson HQD system— that dear folks has stuck with me since and remains with the AE one the two finest systems
I have experienced
Good Listening,
BruceW
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There are only three systems in the world that I'm so much interested in that even long distance flights are not a problem and that comes from a person who doesn't like to fly. AE system, especially with the Zanden trio (Choku, Chukoh and Jinpu), and a complete top Tripoint system (Emperor/Empress), is one of the three and was on my radar for a very long time. I was surprised how easy and quick it was to schedule a meeting with Chris and how friendly and hospitable he was during our visit. All our questions were answered and all our musical wishes were immediately fulfilled.
Our music session started with the CD (JMF/Wadax) as a source and the presentation was very convincing. To be short, this was one of the best digital we have ever heard. But after a few songs we quickly turned to the analogue (Vertere/Zanden) combination. Well, this was even better, much better in fact. The sound of this system is everything I have hoped for and descriptions of Chris and Mr. Zanden are not an exaggeration. In my experience top systems always sound very invisible, non-hifi, they rarely wear their qualities on their sleeves and this system was surely one of them. As far as general presentation is concerned, I was reminded on the sound of Living Voice, Vox Palladian/Vox Elysian/Kondo Gakuoh/Neodio Origine - more than a million Euro worth system we have heard in Munich Hi-Fi show this Spring. You simply can not detect the sonic signature of a single part of the system. A well trained and very experienced listener can detect a sonic signature of some components of the system, especially if it is very coloured. Not so in the AE system. I know Zanden electronics very well and they also have a recognizable »Zanden sonic signature« I like very much because it has the least colorations, sound most »right« to me and colorations that are there are always in line with the music. BUT the Choku/Chukoh/Jinpu combo doesn't sound like anything. The best analogy I can give at this point is that Zanden combo sounds utterly »unamplified« or like there are no amplifiers or electronics in the signal path at all. Every record we have listened sounded as different as I have ever heard. So many new discoveries that I don't know where to begin...
I'll try to explain one aspect of reproduction I find especially important. Among many CDs and LP's we have listened, I would like to highlight a Classic Records reissue of The Royal Ballet (RCA Living Stereo, LDS 6065). This is one of the best sounding RCA Living Stereo records which is also quite demanding because it can very easily sound too aggressive, shouting, harsh and thin if system is not well balanced and refined enough. But that's not what I wanted to write about. What is important and for me a new aspect of high-end sound, is a »new« reproduction dimension. One aspect of soundstage we all know well is positioning of instruments on stage between speakers but these images are mostly more or less two dimensional. But the AE system is capable (among other things) of reproducing an instrument in all three dimensions. Let's take for example a tune from the above mentioned LP The Royal Ballet, the Arabian Dance from the Tchaikovsky Nutcracker suite. There is a short clarinet melody at the end of the tune that AE system reproduces in a one of a kind fashion. For starters, it is well positioned on the stage and nothing special about that but what is special is that it »works« in all three dimensions – there is not only a 2D image of a clarinet like on a TV or on the poster but a realistic, full bodied 3D image of an instrument with all of it's subtle and not so subtle dynamic shadings and timbral contrasts. This is one of the most profound and important discoveries of the sound the AE system is capable of and which would not be possible without the parallel clarity, phenomenal resolution that floored Franc, transparency, naturalness, and timbral correctness. To reproduce a correct characteristic sound signature of a musical instrument is one thing that many high-end systems are capable of but if you combine this quality with the capability of superior »virtual reality« spatiality, you get much nearer to the absolute sound... I should also mention that my friend Daniel can't forget the stellar reproduction of a piano and playing of Maria João Pires on Denon LP, Mozart Sonatas and the voice of Maria Callas on original Columbia LP, Great Sopranos Of Our Time. Unforgettable.
This level of reproduction is of course a result of careful selection of each part of the system and if you remove just one, a lot of this realism disappears as Chris demonstrated when he disconnected one Tripoint Empress. In a second this huge and realistic soundstage collapsed into something we are used to hearing every day. I could write more about many other aspects of this system's capabilities (clarity, transparency, dynamic range...etc) but it seems that all these characteristics are connected with each other to give a result that made such a profound impression on all of us. I congratulate Chris for this important achievement also on behalf of my friends. I'm sure we will have many dinners together in the future talking about this wonderful experience. Thank you again for having us.
Oh, and one more thing Chris: Yes, you should buy a Lipican stallion from Lipica stud farm in Slovenia.
Last week, I had the rare privilege of being invited to his home to listen to his mighty full Trinity system (digital only) with a pair of Cessaro horn speakers. The star of this Trinity system is the Golden Reference Preamplifier. True to its name, it was golden indeed. There was a lot of debate about digital and analogue sound. Digital has been thrashed and ridiculed by die hard analogue lovers. However, this system had, to my ears, ended the that debate. I swear to God there was nary a hint of anything digital. In fact, in many ways the sound quality expressed by this system exceeded many analogue systems I'd listened to. This is truly dibital done right. Bravo, Dietmar!
The next day, I visited the AE showroom in Central and there, I was treated to one of the very best (I don't like this word but still had to use it) analogue systems I have ever experienced. Again, the system is all Trinity driving a pair of Cessaro Chen Long speakers. Different genres of music from the 60s to the current ones had me fully immersed in them. The music and I became one! Music lovers and especially those who put sound quality above all else must visit this system.
Again, bravo, Dietmar and the Cessaro designer.
Finally, I'd like to express my gratitude to Chris for this rare experience.
Audio Exotics, Sheung Wan visit 13/8/2019
Enter the realms of unchartered auditory realism
I started yesterday by writing about my family’s Sheung Wan experience describing the birthplace of Audio Exotics, the Feng Shui obliquely oriented entrance door, the designer chair and sofa, the home-like ambience and the bespoke uber hifi setup. The stories behind Audio Exotics, the electrical, mechanical and sonic wizardry and ultimately the sheer level of music reproduction were inspirational, educational and soul relaxing. Then, I was delivered notes by my daughters, which changed it all.
The thing that struck me about my childrens’ experience and honesty were that they realized that there was a person who was behind all the things mentions above. And that is Chris Leung. Not as the owner of Audio Exotics, not as an Economist/Banker extraordinaire.
In a world where the quality of audio is not quantitatively measurable, subjective impressions, apprehension and negativity is always at the forefront. Music and hifi go hand in hand. With the political unrest happening at the moment, we are still here and looking forward for more!
Never have I heard an audio enthusiast or dealer challenge designers to push the limits of their expertise and vice versa. With such vision, Chris has been able to inspire the likes of Zanden Chouku, Chukoh and Jinpu, Wadax Reference Dac, Cessaro Qian Long, Firebird and Brahms, Engstrom & Engstrom Eric, Goebel Divin Majestic, and Dalby Audio Eddie power cords. The last item was named after a dear friend and fellow audiophile who lost his life to lung cancer in 2018.
Chris’s holistic approach and understanding towards audio nirvana is uncustomary. Custom DBs, wall receptacles, Pranawire Linebacker XE, JMF Audio PCD302, Vertere Phase Management AC Centre and not to forget the full array of Tripoint Troy NG (Next Generation), Troy Elite (Grounding Units) and Empress (speaker EMI/RFI filtration unit) were all at the forefront well before any form of musical equipment. Stirling Trayle performed the final optimization. This shows the extent at which Chris is willing to go to provide this exotic experience.
Another uncanny fact is that nothing is labeled and priced. It doesn’t feel like a showroom. There was nothing deliberately being sold. A listening experience room is more like it. Visual eye candy for those who fantasizes it, with the utmost auditory and visceral impact that stimulates both sensory and motor neurons, both centrally and peripherally.
Our visit to meet up with Chris has proved intangible. It is the enthusiasm, sincerity, experience and knowledge of his hard earned labour that has culminated into our delightful experience and reference in music reproduction. I hope that music and hifi brings down physical and personal barriers everywhere in the world. Don’t take my word for it. Come and experience it yourself. It’s well worth the trip. Thank you Chris Leung....
KFM and the Family
Chris Leung and KFM