The Adelphi Centre in Singapore should be familiar to many audiophiles and music lovers alike. The Centre presents a unique offering unlike anywhere else in the world, with around thirty audio stores all in the one location, offering everything from entry level components, head-fi and home theatre, all the way through to esoteric über high-end brands which are the aspiration of audio enthusiasts around the globe.
Band of Brothers
The Adelphi Centre is a true destination experience, with the ability to audition an enormous range of equipment. There, a casual stroll from floor to floor is far removed from what can sometimes be long country-wide journeys undertaken in attempts to audition such a variety of brands.
So, what’s happening here then? For the first time, the Adelphi Centre has decided to throw its own hi-fi show, with many of the stores collaborating successfully to present a united front of the world’s best brands. Enter The Adelphi Show to the audio calendar.
So, what’s different about this compared to other hi-fi shows? Well, unlike the traditional convention centre or hotel affairs, where most of the equipment is set up in unreliable acoustic environments, The Adelphi Show offers purpose-built demo rooms, a full range of products, and an easily accessible, more convenient setup of permanent stores and displays.
The organising committee worked on the logistics of the show for several months prior. They had decided it was time to throw off the old, and bring in the new, with a passion for music and community. To that end, they banded hi-fi store neighbours to work together and launch the inaugural The Adelphi Show 2024. Considering this is the first effort to build a new direction and create a truly immersive and inclusive community, I believe it has the legs to go the distance.
The organising committee is made up of real music lovers and from my time spent with the committee members, I believe they are completely genuine about building an event which would be of benefit to the audio enthusiast community in Singapore.
Burmester, Ideon Audio, Silent Angel and Siltech cabling at Norman Audio.
Thirteen of the centre’s stores took part in the event and they all ‘Brought their A Game’. Let’s take a closer look at who they are.
Alpha Audio - 01-16 - Mr Toh
Anson Audio - 01- 02 - Anson
Audio Maestro - 03-52 - Kenny
Audio Note - 03-35 - Desmond
Audio 88 - 01-01A - Mark & Jeffery
AV One 01 - 01 /10/21/22 - 02-29/30/31 - Karlun
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 04-54 - Ron
Connoisseur Audio - 03-40 - Mr Lim
Jaben - 01-25 - Wilson
KEC Sound and Vision - 01-03 Clarence
Norman Audio - 03-57 - Ivan
Project Perfection - 04-44 - Desmond
Reference Audio - 01-24- Maurice
I spent two full days in these thirteen boutiques, chatting with the owners and listening to multiple systems. Three manufacturers were also present, Audio Note UK, Furutech, and Telos Audio Design.
Special Guest – Jeff Lin, Telos Audio Design
I had the privilege of spending time with Jeff Lin from Telos Audio Design and, I have to say, he has a unique product offering, in addition to a solid technical insight leading to a love for exploring what’s possible. Lin is also a true gentleman and has a big passion for music while also having a deep understanding of acoustics/diffusion, cable technology, and general DIY audio. At one stage, Lin was a chef, the process of cooking requiring care for good flavour, much like audio, where the right ingredients and recipe combine for better results.
Power Is the new audio frontier according to the Telos Audio Design founder. Telos is a cumulation of 20 years of experience and knowledge. This experience has given rise to the new ‘Monster Power Station’ line of products. According to Lin, these products may set the standard in the power category. Monster Power Station products use some of the world’s best electronic components and are built to the highest standards.
Telos Audio Design Monster Power Stations powering a whole lot of Dan D’Agostino & Ideon Audio electronics.
Special Guest – Peter Qvotrup, Audio Note (UK)
From there, I spent quite some time with Peter Qvotrup of Audio Note (UK), a company that needs little introduction. Qvotrup has a wealth of experience and an intellect to match. This is a company which makes some very capable equipment and Qvotrup has been more than a little generous with his time and insights, providing a very particular lens into the industry and the capabilities of Audio Note (UK) as a business. These guys are revered for a reason. If you ever get the chance to sit down and talk with Peter Qvotrup, I highly recommend you invest the time.
Peter Qvortrup gives a candidly rambunctious insight into the world of audio.
The Concept
So what about the experience of the stores themselves? Well, this is where it gets really interesting. Instead of walking around a trade fair or typical hotel-based audio show, the ability to spend time in more comfortable environments was conducive to really experiencing the gear, immersing in the music, and to very easily losing track of time. There are a few things to iron out, but I believe with the right direction, a strong sense of purpose and some experience in curating each event, the concept would be a sustainably successful event.
The following coverage is, roughly, the order in which I visited the various stores (it may seem like alphabetical order, but that was coincidental).
1. Audio Maestro
The first store I spent time in was Audio Maestro, owned by Kenny. He played a few tracks across two systems. “Blues In The Basement” by Lalo Schifrin was an explosion of dynamics and transients and played across both entry and reference level systems, both were exceptionally impressive. The Aavik SD 880 and i880 through the M3 from Audio Group Denmark, were a truly sensational experience. Kenny is a real aficionado and a real pleasure to spend time with, and the store is well presented with a very comfortable listening space.
2. Alpha Audio
A good-sized store with two rooms, a decent selection of entry and mid-range hi-fi, and a pragmatic approach to audio solutions.
3. Audio 88
I was able to sit down with Jeffery from Audio 88, an industry veteran and a very pleasant man to speak with. They have a very cool window display with some excellent gear packed in two rooms. There’s a good selection of turntables and some quite esoteric amplifiers here. A nice bunch of guys and indeed a nice place to spend some time.
4. AV One
Now these guys own several shops within the Adelphi Centre, all dedicated to a different area of hi-fi. They have the Naim Focal boutique, a head-fi bar, Steinway by Lyngdorf concept lounge, and a Project space. In total seven locations within the building, with another on the way. They definitely have some of the nicest rooms at the venue and they have spent time getting the spaces fitted to a high standard. They’re not ultra-high-end, and they employ acoustic treatments from ArtNovion, but they do a great job at this level. Possibly the best I have seen, to be fair.
5. Coherence Audio
This is a store with four listening rooms and which was always crowded. There, I saw some high-end MBL and Stromtank gear. Quite specialist, but the sound in this space was pretty good.
6. Connoisseur Audio
This is a very small store with some Kuzma turntables and seems to focus mainly on analogue systems. It’s very intimate and definitely a little “old world”.
7. Audio Note SG
One of personal favourites. The owner is very personable and passionate, he’s been in the game for over 20 years, and this is a very cool store with brands like Audio note, and Avant Garde. I spent a few hours here over the two days, attended talks from Audio Note founder Peter Qvortup, and listened to many tracks in the rear demo space.
8. Jaben
Another cool store, with very welcoming and friendly staff. These guys specialise in Headphones. The store was so packed at times I couldn’t get in! Must be a good sign.
9. KEC Sound & Vision
This is a very cool little space with a focus on immersive audio and home theatre. They design spaces for you too, so a great partner for architects and full solutions. Clarence was very helpful and willing to talk about everything they do, a very open and transparent business model. Spend some time with Clarence and he will talk you through the holistic design process for your space. They have packed the small space with some lovely offerings from the likes of Bowers and Wilkins, and the technical capabilities of the team are on point.
10. Norman Audio
Norman audio is owned by Ivan Cheng, and the store is currently reworking the space. If you’re looking for high-end, this is the place. With reference systems from Burmester, Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems, Manley Labs and many more, this is a store filled with high performance gear. There’s a great story behind this store and a ton of passion to push the industry into the future with real vision and drive. One to watch.
11. Project Perfection
These are the guys who brought Furutech to the show, although I didn’t get a chance to speak with their representative due to how busy the store was on each occasion I got in. It’s a small space that covers its niche well.
12. Anson Audio
This is a smaller store with some mainstream brands and a good range of products from hifi to home theatre.
13. Reference Audio
Among the first stores as you enter the Centre. There’s a really nice selections of gear in this shop. It’s small, but it packs a punch, and the owner is really friendly. This is a good place to start your journey.
Conclusion + Thoughts on the Future of The Adelphi Show
So is this the future of hi-fi shows? I think it could certainly point the way to a new approach. Collaboration is strength, and the very idea of elitism and division in an industry that is based solely on the ability to listen to music, is ludicrous. The musicians we listen to would undoubtedly tell us where to go.
So, how do we move forward? I think these guys are showing us that it is possible to band together, form a community and bring people together. I for one had a great time, met amazing people and genuinely hope that this becomes a regular occurrence. The idea of some audiophiles is one that mocks music in favour of measurements, or sounds, and I cannot subscribe to that point of view.
So, for me, these are the things I’d like to see moving forward. A well curated show encompassing live music, artists, fashion, artisanal products and hi-fi. Maybe some whisky, great food, and local businesses at each location, coming together to support each other’s unique offerings. This type of show is in its infancy, this is the first time in Singapore for this format, but the potential is huge.
A little more refinement, some reach out into the local community, and a focus on the celebration of art, music and human creativity will undoubtedly turn The Adelphi Show into a festival of life. I can’t wait to see how the next one is curated and I look forward to seeing this event blossom.
This is the way.
… Barry Johnston
www.soundstageaustralia.com
The Adelphi Show
1 Coleman Street
The Adelphi Centre
Singapore
www.theadelphishow.com
