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NIAV Show 2024 – AA Audio Setup

We completed the setup on Thursday. Here are some of the pictures of our room and our system.

Our components:

  • Power conditioner: Torus AVR16
  • Digital transports: AAMS & LPS 1, AAMS+
  • DAC: Marantz SA-10, MSB Discrete
  • Preamp: Passive silver autoformer fully balanced powered by AA Audio LPS 1
  • Active crossover: JL Audio CR1
  • Power amp: McIntosh MC452
  • Speakers: Focal Utopia Diablo III
  • Subwoofer: JL Audio f113v1
  • Interconnects: AA Audio XLR (Silver Gold) except for subwoofer
  • USB Cables: AA Audio SiG (Signature Silver Gold)

Note: MSB Discrete DAC courtesy of Statement Systems & Swedish System

Price List

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Upcoming NIAV 2024 @ Amari Penang

This is a sneak peak of new AA Audio USB Audio cables which we will launch during the Northern International Audio & Video Show at Amari Spice Penang on 26-28 April 2024. We will be at Peridot 2, Level 4 at Amari Spice Penang.

New USB Audio Cables

It took us about 1½ years to tweak our USB Audio cables to another level since we launched the earlier ones during Northern AV 2022. The main challenge for us was declining Ringgit Malaysia value and higher materials cost for AA Audio USB cables. We experimented with various materials (pure silver versus others), twisting geometry and USB plugs. We are lucky enough that a key high-end hi-fi industry player allowed us to use their showroom to test our USB cables and compare with their mega-buck reference USB cable. During the many tests, we heard the differences between our own cables and the mega-buck reference. We are very determined to narrow the gaps.

SiG : Silver Gold alloy instead of Pure Silver

Our new Signature USB Audio cable uses silver gold alloy instead of pure silver. Due to import tax structure, we are able to reduce the main material cost, but unfortunately, the rest of the materials used like shielded braided sleeves and teflon tubes cost higher. While the Signature USB cable can be considered as the no-cost object version, the introductory price will be very competitive.

CoS : Updated Copper Silver Alloy cable

The previous entry-level USB cable was enhanced by experimenting with different wire sizes and insulation materials. The use of copper silver alloy gives its own unique sound, especially with weight and mid-range. The CoS is priced as the middle tier version and may appeal to certain customers who prefer analog-like sound when playing digital music.

SG : Entry-level Silver Gold alloy

Since we like the new Signature cable so much, we want to offer its trickled down version as the entry-level. We use smaller gauge silver gold alloy and surprisingly it still sounds good. We are confident this cable can beat many other USB Audio cables which are priced higher.

USB Audio Cables Shootout during NIAV 2024

We are in the process of making and sending AA Audio USB Audio cables to reviewers in Australia and the USA before NIAV 2024. Coincidently, both reviewers use Tubulus Concentus USB (from the Netherlands) as their reference USB cable.

We are making arrangement with local and international reviewers for a closed-door USB cables shootout during NIAV 2024 in Peridot 2. Some of the reviewers will bring their own reference USB cables for comparison. We look forward to hear the differences ourselves.

Our System

During NAV 2022, we used Harbeth M30.2 speakers driven by McIntosh MC452 stereo power amplifier in our room. This time around, we will use Focal Diablo Utopia III bookshelf speakers with a JL Audio f113v1 active subwoofer. We will use MSB Discrete DAC courtesy of Statement Systems. Our favorite CD/SACD player, Marantz SA-10, will also be used to demo transport versus AAMS+ sound.

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KLIAVS 2023 Brochure and Price List

AA Audio is participating in KLIAVS 2023.

  • In room 2723 (shared with AFC Top HiFi), AAMS+ is being used as the digital source into Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC using AA Ref USB Cable. Amplification by Bladelius AFX integrated amplifier driving Piega Coax 811 loudspeakers.
  • In room 2602, AAMS LE is being used as the digital source (using EVGA Audio Note UK sound card) into Kenwood pre & power amplifiers driving Scan-Speak loudspeakers.
  • In room 2725 (Stars Pickers), AA Audio USB cables are being used in their demo system using Chord Dave DAC and tube amplifiers.

The PDF brochure and price list can be downloaded from here.

AA-Audio-products-KLIAVS-2023-page-1

AAMS-price-list-KLIAVS-2023

AA-Audio-products-KLIAVS-2023-page-2

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Northern AV Penang Show

We participated as a first-time exhibitor at the Northern Audio Visual Penang June 11-12, 2022. Local A/V journalist Mr Lam Seng Fatt of av2day.com spent time listening to our system and shared his impression here and for Day 2.

There is a video about the event.

Components Used

Power conditioner + voltage regulator:

  • Torus AVR16

Digital source + DAC:

  • Marantz SA-10 SACD player
  • AA Music Streamer
  • Holo Audio May L3 KTE

Preamp:

  • Semi-DIY pure-silver autoformer-based passive preamp. Components by Bent Audio, Canada
  • Bryston 10B-SUB active crossover

Power amplifier:

  • McIntosh MC452

Speakers:

  • Harbeth M30.2
  • JL Audio f113 active subwoofer

Pictures

Entrance to Bayu 3 at Ascott Gurney Hotel, Penang
Our setup
Another view
Main components
Closer look
Digital components
Early prototypes reviewed
Parts sourced and developed

Please leave your comments here.