Another music streamer

I will call this another music streamer which is partially true. Innous is brand came about around year 2009. Not so old brand for hi-fi. For the last decade streaming platforms have pop up all over the world like mushrooms. I am not just talking about music streaming but any kind of streaming services is like a must have this days. For hi-fi there is no escape from this as well. 

Coming back to Innous, is a brand born out from Portugal. When it first came about was not just streaming but also design to be a music server, CD ripper and local digital playback. The Zen series is the early days of Innous which made the brand to be quickly came to fame with many high end audio. As the brand gained recognition for its versatile playback and the software of Innous was greatly improved over the years which makes it one nice player to enjoy. I have been over the years searching for the holy grail of digital playback. Have tried dozens and dozens of players. I am sure most who knows me, I did a marathon of testing on digital streamers / players end of last year. Pretty much obsessed to my quest for the most perfect player available in the market. I was kind of itchy to try out the Innous which I have already own the USB reclocker known as Innous Phoenix. Came Jan this year, was in Singapore and decided to visit Adelphi mall for trying out the Innous Pulse which is pretty new line of product from Innous. Is kind of strip down version of Zen series. The pulse is pure player without internal storage or CD drive. No internal DAC as well , just with bunch of different digital output like USD, optical, AES and Coaxial. 

The internal part of Pulse is pretty simple too with the main board and power supply with separate power for the digital controller. As usual, Innous is a little fancier with the Mundorf capacitors. With its simple design which is good to have the components not to crap into a small space which is true for many hardware manucturers to save space which save cost too. Most of the internal components are design by Innous and not just any OEM or third party components. I think it speak a lot for the manufacturer. 

For the past 5 months of using the Pulse with the Phoenix is quite reasonable I will say for the outcome. Nothing to shout about but is pretty much what I have already in my own setup with my Asus Tinkerboard. The Pulse playback on the Tidal, I will say is quite a surprise to me as the quality is quite up to par to some of CD being ripped into the hard disk. The local file playback do still has its edge over streaming like it or not. I am not a fan of Tidal because of the price and interface. For the sake of trying out the Pulse, I have signed out for free trial. I have to say the quality it provided does better than native Apple Music. Is also quite unfortunate not many player is able to run native Apple Music. Can’t really make a side by side comparison. Hopefully Innous will decide to add Apple Music to its arsenal. 😁 

The Pulse was originally designed only for streaming purposes but after some good feedback from users that Innous decided to enable local playback with USB drive and NAS support. This was added on early Feb this year. This is one point that gotten me to jump into it. I am quite hopeful that it can be a good replacement player for the aging Asus Tinkerboard. By now the Asus is been with me for 7 years. The setup for the NAS and USB is as easy as using any computer at home. Nothing fancy, just plug in the USB drive and the NAS just have to add in the path for the drive. Once is recognized the files will pop up in the apps and just press to play. That is the easy part, the unfortunate part is the files being supported is pretty limited. Only wav, flac and DSD are mainly supported. Like ape, ISO files are are not recognized by the Pulse. The storage part to load up the playlist is quite slow compared to the Asus. 10,000 files took about 3 mins for Asus to load and it took the pulse almost 30 mins to complete. Just to make a comparison on the overall sound quality is pretty much the same as Asus with Volumio.  Definitely this wins over the like of Eversolo, Fiio and Lumin which I have recently tested. One thing that cannot be beaten is the mirror function of Eversolo and Fiio. That is superbly good function to have. Every player should have it. The casing of the Pulse ivery well build and what is outstanding is the power button is hidden below the player. This makes the player doesn’t emit light which can be annoying in low dim lighted room. 

Just to sum things up for me is this player does lives up to its expectations. The downside is this player is definitely not for me. It’s great as music streamer and the standard support on Roon would be nice for many. The lack of files supported is a deal breaker. What I also miss is the Volumio ability to display on TV or any display with HDMI. Is so much better than any player which has its own screen big or small. I guess this is one fail experiment for me. Hopefully Innous will continue to improve its software as its hardware already quite top notch. Not sure if the price tag of RM15k is justificable for me. For those still hunting, happy hunting. After this pretty much end of journey for me. I just pray the Asus don’t die on me after such long year of service.

Listening to the Imposing Frank AB-2 Tower Sub Loudspeakers

Posted by Tan 

Our very own Malaysian hifi maven Frankie Voon, the head honcho of the Frank Acoustics outfit, rolled out his Frank AB-2 Tower Sub loudspeaker system in late 2020. I have always wanted to have a listen to these loudspeakers personally, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation then, I never had such an opportunity. Until recently that is. 

The owner of a Frank AB-2 Tower Sub installation invited a few of us for a visit to his home for a live listening session of his system. Finally my years-long wait was fulfilled.

When I first came across the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub system design, I was definitely impressed by its versatility. It is a pair of tower loudspeakers incorporating two 9in Scanspeak woofers per side. The towers are tall, at 6ft 6in (almost 2m), they are taller than any person I know (An audiophile friend of mine likes loudspeakers that are taller than him, these Frank AB-2 towers would surely fit the bill 😜). 

The Frank AB-2 has a built-in cavity at its mid-section for the owner to place a bookshelf loudspeaker of his choice (as seen in the photo above) to cover the mid and high frequencies. Frank Acoustics can also supply you with a pair of their monitors if you so preferred. 

A built in crossover routes the bass part of the audio signal to the woofers, and the mid and high to the bookshelf loudspeaker. You can also choose to run the bookshelf loudspeakers full range, i.e., not have the AB-2 crossover filtering out the bass frequencies to the bookshelf speakers, in which case the AB-2 would be adding bass on top of the bookshelf speakers to augment and extend their bass performance. There is also an ambiance tweeter at the back of the tower to convey the air in the recordings.   

The Frank AB-2 Tower Sub's height and size gives it an imposing presence in any mid to even large size listening room.  I bet any visitor would be mighty impressed seeing them in your listening room, I know they did that to me during my visit. 

"Wow, this is a big sound." that was the first thought that popped into my head at my first listen. Yes indeed, like its imposing stature, this Frank AB-2 based system conjured up a big sound, with a soundstage that covered wall to wall. I was surprised that having the mid and highs handled by a pair of bookshelf speakers but the bass played through the bass towers, it seemed to have freed up the sound tremendously. This loudspeaker system could play a volume level that would definitely stress almost all if not all bookshelf loudspeakers. This system also sounded dynamic, speed and attack were handled with aplomb. It was an exciting listen on drum and electronic music with lots of bass line. 

On the other hand, this system also showed a saturated and vivid tonal color, rather than the somewhat bleached tonality that plagued some modern HiFi equipment. Vocal, may it be male or female, was served very well. 

I believe the overall sound of a Frank AB-2 based system would be influenced by the bookshelf loudspeakers you choose to pair with the Frank AB-2, therein lies the versality of this design. You can retain the use of your favorite bookshelf speakers by incorporating them into the Frank AB-2. 

I am sure the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub approach would give you an excellent upgrade path if you are a bookshelf speaker user. Given how hifi equipment is priced nowadays, this is definitely a bang-for-the-buck upgrade too.

Interested to know more about the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub loudspeakers? Click this link to the Frank Acoustic website to get more design details, pricing and contact info -> click here.

Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang 2024

 The Northern Audio & Video show in Penang that has just concluded recently. Like any other show, some pretty faces shown at the entrance to one of the showroom. The show is held in Amari hotel in Penang. 

     

This is a brand from Kiwi Land. The speaker is some what an open baffle design for the bottom 2 woofers.  The amplifier itself is pretty unique to be able to select up to 8 different colors to suite the buyer.

The new PSB speakers. Small but with pretty big sound. 

JW Speaker Lab from “tanahku, Malaysia”. It’s also sold as DIY if someone who love to give it a go to build a speaker.

This is a speaker for “Star Wars” fan. With its color , this looks very close to a tie fighter in the movie.

The million dollar club setup of Dali Kore and CH Precision gears. Setup for the elite. 

Some down to earth brand like Wiim amp and streamer. Also the most recently hot brand like Eversolo on display.

Mofi and Fender turntable. Limited edition. This is the guitar brand Fender combine with Mofi producing this unique turntable with the plinth like the body of the guitar.

The Mofi bookshelf speakers with the Mofi / Fender Turntable and Hifi Rose integrated amplifier. 

PS Audio had recently launch their first speaker. No surprise with PS Audio now have a complete hardware from amp, power regen, source players and now with speaker.

CCY engineering class “A” power amplifier. All design and made in Malaysia. 

CCY amplifier with Xavian speaker on demo.

The prowess of the elite Air Tight with Tannoy. Pure eargasm for the hifi enthusiasts 

The ATC speakers and pre-amp. This is what I called the muscle speakers 

The line of B&W from the entry to the upper range of diamond floor standers. Real eye candy.

For the HT enthusiasts, ranges from AVR to pure processors and power amps from Marantz

Lots of blink-blink from this one. The most eye catching is the green glowing tube.

Borresen and Aavik matches up like a great couple.

The east meet the west. British speaker Monitor Audio with the Japanese Michi pre and power amps.

MSB DAC and Amps with the Marten speakers. Is a class on its own.

The familiar golden family of Accuphase hardwares with Sonus Faber speakers.

A well known combo of Naim with Focal Sopra speakers couple with dual REL subwoofers.

Cayin tube integrated amp with Audio Vector speakers and Chord Dave DAC. 

Classic looking NAD integrated amp pairing the PSB bookshelf.

The Frame

 

Is a very unique name given to this beautiful piece of “Art” which is non other than the Samsung Frame TV. The name frame does reflect the purpose of this TV for any home and any space in the home. The thing about creativity of interior design decoration really doesn’t have the limit. It’s always been a challenge for designer to make the TV less ambitious especially in the living room. There are other that goes to length to hide TV when not in use. The thing is TV is an essential item and more likely it will sit in the center of the home. Is great entertainment and most certainly works well for family and friends to gather for some good movies or games. The obvious will come when the TV is being turn off or when not in use. Is seating this big black box like a center piece of the room. The problem is not the case when you have the room with some nice featured wall with nice pieces of furniture and carpets making the room look with the feel of comfy. The black box (TV) just sticking out like a sore thumb. The workaround solution is to either hide it or try to design something around it. Unless everything in the room is pretty dark colour or black, what ever the design is will still be looking at the black box. 

Samsung comes to the saving with its idea of why not turning a TV into an art work or another piece of deco to go with what you have in design. The name frame given to the TV is there to tell that this is a photo frame or art frame that can be easily hang on the wall and set up with some good quality pictures to blend with the rest of the room. Being design the TV like a picture frame is no doubt the TV comes with inter changeable bezel. With simple white or black colour to walnut wood finish. Options to allow to blend with other photo frames or picture frames. Personally, white is my favourite, it just gives the feel of the border between virtual and the real world from the wall behind it to the display on the TV.

To portrait the TV is an another picture frame on the wall is essential to be really flush to the wall with very little gap like any other photo frame in the home. The second thing is to hide all the cables away. This is another unique feature of the TV with the bezel with interchangeable. This thin little cable is all between TV and the connection box. Is almost invisible from 3-4 feet afar.

 Of course being a TV, primary function is still about good picture quality. The TV is a 4k QLED display. Is quite close to OLED in term of black level and brightness of the TV is something to shout about. With the frame being design to put in brightly lit room, it really stand out how good the brightness is without any viewing issue especially if you view it from different angle. The brightness doesn’t sacrifice the black level of the TV which is a good balance of white and black that is important for any TV. Movies or gaming on the TV is just enjoyable and more importantly easy to the eyes for long hours viewing. 

All the connections of the TV is through the connection box. This is quite an important feature to allow no cables or tangle behind the TV or cabinet. A selling point for this lifestyle TV. 

It has plenty of connection as any standard TV with 4 x HDMI, LAN, optical and even an aerial connection. The 2 x USB port allow hard disk to be connected directly to it to playback video or viewing of pictures on the TV. Is similar to some slim TV by LG with comes with this connection box. Personally, I will think every TV should have this kind of design with much ease to connect and route the cables. 

The remote of the TV is pretty small to fit nicely with even small hands. The design is simple enough like most TV remote. What stand out is the remote is able to use solar to charging the battery. The battery also can be charge with USB C cable. On the front of remote the buttons are pretty standard. The power button have an additional function to switch on the wall paper with one press. Long press on the power will turn off the TV. One more useful feature is the remote doesn’t rely on infrared but rather Bluetooth which is quite convenient as you don’t have to be in line of sight for it to work. 

Overall , the TV is not just a good lifestyle TV but it does deliver the right picture quality and the innovation from Samsung is something worth highlighting. This is one TV that I am very proud to own. It seat like a center piece of the home deco. Definitely a high WAF factor. In fact, I don’t see why anyone won’t like this TV. I just hope the TV can last at least 5 years that will be good enough.

 

Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang 2024 is ON!

 

Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang is ON!

As the title goes, we are happy to announce that the Northern International Audio & Video Show Penang 2024 is confirmed to be held at Amari Spice Hotel Penang from 26-28th April 2024. 

As this show is co-sponsored by the Penang state government, show entrance is FOC, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the latest in Audio & Visual has to offer! Not only that, for 3 nights consecutively there will also be after show concert by regional & top local bands.

The show is aimed to be family friendly, so do bring them along as there will be something for all in the family. See you all in Penang this coming April!    

Streamer Shootout! Follow Up............................

 This is my 3rd streamer for try out in the last 3 weeks.  The Fiio player is not new to many, infact the reputation for Fiio easily rivals Zidoo / Eversolo. Is a mature audio brand and I have personally listen to other Fiio product which have my attention over the years. Ever since the hype of Eversolo started, I am keen to really know the almost similar product which is the R7. I will say very close with the price and most of the functions and features. Definitely worth to take a look or listen compare to its competitor of Eversolo A6. 

From the outlook, Fiio is rather small compare to Eversolo. The chassis is plastic and Eversolo is aluminium which definitely feels better. The unit is pretty light weight too. Which is easily carry about if need to. From the front screen the layout is just like any mobile phone. I will say very typical Android style.  There are 2 knobs in front for the volume and input selection. I really like it to have the selection knob. The light around the knob is really a nice touch too. The interesting part is the headphone / ear phone jack on the front. For desktop setup, this is perfect. 

On the back is pretty comprehensive too. All the connection from analog to digital. One nice thing is the microsd card slot which is a lot easier to access compared to the A6 SSD which in under the unit. The other thing which I like is the unit can be use with IEC the usual power cord or with barrel jack for LPS. Many will say that LPS has the cleaner sound to it and Eversolo has to be modded for that. 

To get it started just simply download the Fiio controller app and firing up the unit is like any Android O/S totally feels like a mobile phone. Once is up, as usual go to setting and get it connected to the home wifi or Ethernet. Voila…..we are in business. Is a little buggy of the apps in adding the R7 for the first time. I have encountered the same problem with the Eversolo A6. I guess must be an apps thing. Once connected the layout of the apps is super simple. What is the important piece is the casting. With it simply everything is right in your palm. Playback of music can be streaming or local playback just like any typical android O/S. I am sure there will be no challenge for anyone to use it. It can access NAS and USB or internal storage without sweat. Infact the player can even play YouTube on its screen if that is what you want. All the usual streaming apps of Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music all readily available. Sign on to your Google account and all good to go. 

I will start with the streaming first with Apple Music. With the casting function is easily like playing music on my iPhone. The plus point is the Apple Music is natively play from the R7 just like the Eversolo A6. Both units did very well in this. Big plus for me or to all Apple lovers. Listening to Apple Music on the R7 is more enjoyable than the A6. Is less fatigue and is also more mellow without the harshness from the Eversolo. With the screen vertical layout is more user friendly than the A6 with horizontal layout. This is the first time listening on Stereo setup with proper Apple Music playback without having to connect the IPad to the unit. Is like dream come true. 

The next thing to try out was local file playback which is another nice touch with the casting app. Totally feel like a phone but seating 7 feet away. The output I am using is XLR. I am pretty much impressed with it. FLAC, DSD, WAV and almost anything Android can recognises will play. This little player without external DAC sure does sings pretty well. The sound is pretty airy. The sound stage big enough. The bass slam is all impressive too. Comparing it to the A6，R7 win over many different areas. When tested the XLR on A6 can be a bit over the top feel. All the components of the music just come out right. A little lack of details but what the heck. Is a good little box for all kinds of listening. Leaving it on playlist as background music fills the house. It does fit in for most life style and not just audio enthusiast. 

The downside is the apps is still quite a bit unstable. It at times can be really annoying to deal with. The USB output to external DAC is a little buggy as well which I have encountered once it doesn’t play. Probably is some firmware thing. 

Overall wise the Fiio R7 is a versatile player that ticks off many things. Nice piece of hardware for majority of lifestyles. Cool as it is and pretty neat for desktop use too. I think will be nice desktop computer using it like an external sound card or simply putting in the living room for all other music listening. With its small form factor can easily tug away in some shelf and it’s like having another display piece on the rack. With the price tag a little lower than the A6 is making it a real sweet deal. As the new Fiio R9 is coming soon, looking forward to compare it with the Eversolo A8. It will be the fight of the century