PART ONE OF GYULA’S COVERAGE OF THE TAA TAIPEI 2024 HIFI SHOW

As the echoes of the Hong Kong AV Show 2024 fade, Taipei takes the stage with its own high-end audio celebration, the TAA 2024 Taipei HiFi Show.

HiFi PiG’s Gyula was there to bring you coverage of this huge show, with this being part 1 of his TAA 2024 Taipei HiFi Show Report…

TAA 2024 TAIPEI HIFI SHOW REPORT

This year’s event, held in Taipei’s impressive Grand Hotel, featured over 150 rooms filled with the sweet sounds of music and an enthusiastic audience. This year’s show attracted a diverse crowd, with younger attendees mingling alongside seasoned audiophiles. The event offered a diverse spectrum of audio experiences, from the warm, analogue appeal of turntables to the cutting-edge immersion of Dolby Atmos and other spatial audio technology. This mix of old and new reflects a transition in the audiophile sector, with increasing local interest in both analogue and high-tech audio solutions, resulting in a diverse spectrum of sound and experience for all generations.

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KKBOX STREAMING

KKBOX, a key sponsor, contributed much to the excitement. KKBOX, Taiwan’s main music streaming service, provides 24bit high-resolution audio playing, and all participants received service discounts. This collaboration bridges the generation gap, encouraging everyone to discover new ways to enjoy music through high-quality streaming.

ROOM 106, 歐美: AIM, JEFF ROWLAND, LANSCHE AUDIO, MIT, PASS, SYMPOSIUM

In Room 106, Lansche Audio’s 8.3 speakers pretty much stole the show—literally towering over the room, they were as much a visual statement as an auditory one. These beasts, equipped with the unique Corona ion tweeters, known for their ultra-fast response and lack of distortion, extending high frequencies up to 150 kHz. They were driven by the muscle of Pass Labs XA-160.8 mono amps and XP-22 preamp. For digital playback, the Aurender A30 handled streaming, while Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC and MPT-8 Dream Transport took care of the rest. And let’s not forget the MIT ACC 268 speaker cables—at a whopping NT$3.91 million, they were the second most expensive part of this high-end setup. The sound was impressive, detailed and welcoming, proving that big sound doesn’t have to be harsh (although it was a bit too loud for my ears).

ROOM 107, 極品: BURMESTER

Stepping into Room 107, I was immediately captivated by the Burmester BC150 speakers—sleek, sophisticated, and carrying all the advanced technology of Burmester’s iconic German engineering. Weighing in at a solid 180 kg each, these speakers are no lightweight in either design or performance. The setup featured 4 pieces of Burmester’s 159 mono power amplifiers, making sure none of the frequencies were underpowered. The Reference Line featured in the rest of the setup with the 077 preamp, and the 111 MusicCenter handled digital playback.

The entire system exemplified what Burmester does best: combine technical mastery with luxurious execution to create an unforgettable listening experience.

ROOM 108, 笙凱: TIDAL, LAMPIZATOR, TELOS, VIMBERG, PENAUDIO, STILLPOINTS, LEBEN, PERREAUX, MOUSIKE, ACOUSTIC REVIVE

Room 108 featured a stunning Tidal setup with the Contriva G3 loudspeakers and a full set of electronics, though they were only for display, much like the Polish Lampizator DACs and the recently announced power conditioner.

The spotlight, however, was on the PenAudio Alba Lumi speakers, paired with a Leben CS600 integrated amplifier. The digital front end was handled by the TELOS Enchanting Music Player, a limited edition device known for its advanced digital processing and over-engineered power conditioning, which included Schumann wave modules and Telos’ signature quantum technology. The end result was an impressive, pleasurable, and detailed sound.

Last year, I was particularly impressed by Sheng Kai’s subscription service, called MOUSIKE—a creative and flexible way to enjoy high-end audio based on a subscription model. This allows you to set up a high-end system in your home for a monthly fee—a truly original and delightful idea that I’d love to try myself.

ROOM 109, 勝旗: AVANTGARDE ACOUSTIC, ESOTERIC

Room 109 was an explosion of sound and style, courtesy of Avantgarde Acoustic and Esoteric. The visually striking Duo Mezzo G3 horn speakers, with their massive 630mm mid-high horns, were impossible to ignore—unless you had sunglasses handy. The bold orange clashed delightfully with Esoteric’s refined Grandioso P1X SE SACD transport, G1X Master Clock, N-01XD SE network DAC, and S-05 power amplifier, like a zesty orange peel in a glass of fine Japanese whiskey. Even the compact Colibri C2 “Hummingbird” speakers packed a serious punch, proving that sometimes good things come in small, stylish packages.

ROOM 110 文鴻: KHARMA, BOULDER, BRINKMANN, BASSOCONTINUO, CANTON

Room 110 had an authoritative and sophisticated configuration that included Kharma’s Enigma Veyron EV-2D loudspeakers, Boulder’s flagship 3050 monoblock amplifiers, and the 3010 preamplifier, resulting in amazingly clean and dynamic performance. The space also included the more compact Boulder 866 integrated amplifier paired with Kharma Elegance dB7 speakers, which provided a similarly stunning, if smaller-scale, experience. The combination of dark, opulent Kharma aesthetics and Boulder’s industrial precision resulted in an atmosphere of elegance and brute force, with a hint of playful contrast.

For people who like the little things, Bassocontinuo’s carbon fibre audio racks stood out. Their lightweight but durable design went well with the room’s high-end components.

MAIN HALL: 志仁, 愛樂, 38度C: THORENS, SVS, DIPTYQUE, LAIV AUDIO, ROGERS, ESOTERIC, AVM, WESTMINSTERLAB, AND SUPEX

In the expansive main hall, multiple exhibitors showcased an impressive array of high-end audio gear.

On the left side was a static display of Thorens turntables, including the TD-101A, TD-402DD, and the premium TD-1500, alongside Supex cartridges and WestminsterLab electronics and cables.

At the forefront was LaMusique, which was divided into several areas featuring brands like Borresen, Aavik, and Ansuz. During my visit, they were discussing Silent Angel network products with a massive Borresen setup as the backdrop.

Behind the main display, the Dolby Atmos Music setup was a true highlight, utilising a 9.2.4 system with SVS Ultra speakers. These massive speakers definitely need space to show their best side!

In another corner, 38度C displayed a mix of vinyl and CD offerings. The Rogers LS5/9 and LS3/5A speakers were paired with Naim electronics and LAiV Audio’s Harmony DAC.

On the right side of the hall, there was a great setup with Diptyque isodynamic speakers paired with the lovely Axxess all-in-one from the Danish powerhouse.

They also displayed Scansonic and Raidho speakers, electronics from PinkFaun, YBA, and Ideon Audio, and Solidsteel stands. Every manufacturer brought something special to the table, making this place a veritable audiophile’s paradise and a must-visit for anyone who is passionate about high-fidelity sound.

Now read part 2 here, covering floors 2 and 3 of the show…..

And if you love reading about the best HiFi Shows in Asia, check out our Hong Kong AV Show 2024 coverage here!

Gyula Weeber