Room

The pictures show how the arrangement in the same room evolved over time. The AV equipment remains the same : BENQ PE7700 dlp projector and SONY AV333ES amplifier driving Arcaydis AK3 and center speakers and Wharfedale rear speakers.

In 2007:

April 2008:

October 2008:

January 2009:

Linn LP12

I still keep the classic old favourite : Linn LP12 turntable that has been fitted with many tonearms and cartridges over some 25 years. Here, I have pictures of it with Fidelity Research FR-12 arm, Linn Basik LVX (SOLD) and Linn Ittok LVII (current arm). The Ittok has been Cardas rewired and a joint removed.

Mullard M8137 NOS tubes

I have a pair of these Mullard tubes installed in my phono stage (SOFTONE Model 4) replacing the stock tubes - SOVTEK 12AX7LPS. These NOS Mullard M8137 are also milliatry specs CV4004 (equivalent to 12AX7) and are much sought after for pre amp use.

Tale of 2 cartridges

The renowned Denon DL103R has been around for 20 years and still in production. I have a brand new one fitted to Linn Ittok LVII.

And later I bought a lightly used Benz Micro MC20E2L (low output) moving coil cartridge from a friend in the US. The MC20E2L was fitted to the Kuzma arm.

Which do you think sounds better? They say the Benz is lacking low bass but not in my system. I find the bass wonderful and treble clear and airy. They both cost about RM600 to RM800 each.

Kuzma Stogi S univpivot tonearm

I bought the excellent tonearm from a friend in Penang and it comes complete with box, manuals and setting up tools. I never used a unipivot before so I thought I give it a try on my new Acoustic Signature Challenger turntable. This tonearm is quite highly rated by The Abosulte Sound magazine and is solidly built. Other famous current unipivots that comes across my mind : Graham Phantom, Naim Aro and JMW 9.


I need to machine the arm base hole on the Acoustic Signature from 28mm to 30mm and add 3 fixing holes of 6mm in order to securely mount the Stogi S.

Softone Model 4 phonostage

This is the Softone Model 4 phono stage, very well designed and made in Japan. It has ample gain for MC cartridges and muting function. It uses relays for switching inputs and MC cartridges are routed to a pair of step up transformers. Its stock tubes are a pair of Sovtek 12AX7LPS. I bought it used from a man from California and need a voltage step down transformer as it is 120V version, but its not a problem as the power consumption is a low 15W. The seller has already swapped the stock tubes with a pair of NOS Mullard M8137 (CV4004) which sounded excellent. The gain is a high 69dB and there is no noise and hum.

High quality inputs and components used throughout. Already a good value at the online price of USD650, I bought it for USD400.

Boston Audio Mat 1

This Boston Audio Mat 1 is 3mm thick solid graphite mat coated with special clear paint. It is relatively heavy and replaces the stock felt mat of the turntable. Records played with it underneath sounds clearer and cleaner. Sometimes I prefer it with and at times without the Michell record clamp.

Aragon 8008ST

Two months ago, I added a used Aragon 8008ST bought in Singapore to drive the stereo subwoofers of the Apogee minigrands. The 8008 is rated at 200W/400W into 8/4 ohms. The crossover point is 80Hz according to the manual of the Apogee active crossover, and now the Classe Audio DR9 power amplifier and Apogee bass panels are relieved of large signals below 80Hz. The sound is more relaxed and can be played at higher volume.

The 2kW torroidal transformer provided sufficient juice and control of the 2 units of 8" woofers per channel.