TECA 2024 TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL AUDIO SHOW REPORT PART 1

TECA 2024 Report – Gyula Weeber reports from Taipei’s seasonal sonic wonderland, with the first two of four floors at the December Taipei International Audio Show 2024.

If Santa’s sleigh had a subwoofer, it would’ve rattled through the TECA 2024 Taipei International Audio Show. Held just in time to let audiophiles squeeze one more upgrade onto their Christmas wish lists, this year’s show packed four floors and over 130 rooms with enough gear to make even the grinchiest HiFi sceptic grin.

The timing couldn’t have been better. With the holiday season looming, exhibitors leaned into the festive spirit, offering discounts impressive enough to make wallets tremble. Whether you came hunting for a boutique DAC or a full-blown system overhaul, the deals were everywhere—and frankly, resisting them felt like an Olympic sport.

Beyond the bargains, one trend stood out: a growing focus on smaller listening spaces. It’s refreshing to see more brands addressing the real-world realities of condo living, even while the ultra-high-end gear—the kind that needs its own zip code—still showed up in force. TECA 2024 proved there’s room for both ends of the spectrum, and that balance made this year’s show a treat for all tastes.

TECA 2024 REPORT PART 1

HALL S: TOP AUDIO

If there’s one distributor that knows how to steal the spotlight, it’s Top Audio. Their hall-sized display—yes, hall, not room—was less a listening space and more a sonic theme park for audiophile thrill-seekers. From towering loudspeakers to enough glowing tubes to signal passing aircraft, this was high-end audio dialed up to eleven.

Whether you came to dream, drool, or justify a second mortgage, Top Audio had something to tempt you. From approachable setups to systems that required a separate power plant, Top Audio covered every angle; they reminded us that in HiFi too much is often just right.

The DALI EPIKORE 9 floorstanding speakers paired beautifully with PrimaLuna EVO 400 tube amplification—both preamp and monoblocks—delivering a smooth and natural sound. A PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC handled digital-to-analogue conversion, fed by the SOtM sMS-2000 flagship music server. Despite the more accessible price tag, this setup left one of the strongest impressions.

The Rockport LYRA setup didn’t hold back. Paired with a Constellation ALTAIR II preamp and Hercules monoblocks, it was as imposing visually as it was sonically. A Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC, MPT-8 CD/SACD transport, and Aurender N20 streamer kept the source material pristine, all perched on a Montaudio Manuka MR rack—because at this level, even the rack matters. It was bold, refined, and unapologetically high-end.

The Burmester BC350 floorstanders made a bold statement—big, polished, and unmistakably German. Driven by Burmester 159 monoblocks and the 077 preamp, this system delivered serious authority with finesse to match. A Burmester 111 music centre and 948 power conditioner ensured clean performance, all supported by Artesania Exoteryc racks and Siltech Audio cables.

The flagship environment perfectly suited the DALI KORE setup. Powered by Burmester 218 monoblocks and the 808MK5 preamp, it embraced streaming with the Aurender A30 at its core. Mounted on NEO Quattron Reference racks and wired with Cardas Audio, it delivered scale, depth, and effortless dynamics.

V105: JOINT MEDIA

This room highlighted DIVA’s flagship network switches with two high-end systems, proving that solid networking is key to performance.

Goldmund’s Theia, a four-way DSP-powered active speaker, featured amps dedicated to each driver—175W for highs, mids, and mid-bass, and 350W for the woofer. Paired with a Mimesis 16.8 processor, Aurender streamer, and DIVA EX-7 and EX-mini switches, it delivered clean, modern performance.

The second setup combined Kaiser Minal speakers with Goldmund’s Eidos Reference SACD, Mimesis Reference preamp, and Telos 3300 monoblocks pushing 700W into 8 ohms.

V106: TAISHENG AUDIO

The Fyne Vintage 15 speakers, with their 15-inch coaxial horn drivers, paired beautifully with a full Accuphase system, effortlessly filling the large room with dynamic, engaging sound. The Accuphase stack—DP-770 SACD player, C-2900 preamp, and A-80 Class A power amp—blended classic design with modern power, delivering 65W into 8 ohms and scaling up to 520W at 1 ohm. Vinyl playback was handled by the 440 Audio G2 ART turntable, featuring a Sorane Abis SA 1.2 tonearm and Accuphase AC-6 cartridge.

V107: WIN CHAMP

The TAD room is always a highlight, and this time was no exception. Featuring the Reference 1 TX flagship speakers powered by M700 monoblocks, the C-700 preamp, and the D600 SACD player, the setup delivered the precision and authority TAD is famous for. The playlist was so engaging that I completely forgot to take more photos—proof that sometimes great sound just pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

V108: JBL

JBL showcased its new line of home cinema amplifiers and speakers in this room, delivering the kind of dynamic, room-filling sound you’d expect from the brand.

V109: TECH UNION INCORPORATION

Taking a traditionalist approach to HiFi the room combined FM Acoustics electronics with TechDas Airforce 1 and JR Transrotor Actus turntables, supported by a Wadax digital source. While the setup emphasised precision engineering and classic analogue design.

V110: TAIFU AUDIO

The Taifu room featured three distinct setups. First, the Peak Dragon Legacy flagship speakers paired with Audio Research Reference 330M monoblocks, though I didn’t get a chance to hear this system. The second setup showcased a full T+A system, including Solitaire S540 speakers, a P 3100 HV preamp, two A 3000 HV power amps, and an MP 3100 HV digital source, delivering impressive dynamics and control with its Mag850 tweeter array and multiple drivers for even dispersion. Lastly, Dynaudio’s The Bookshelf speakers made their debut in a static display, blending Japanese craftsmanship with Danish driver technology for a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

201: ACUSTIK LABOR

The Acustik Labor room featured bookshelf speakers paired with a newly released 200W AB mono power amp and a tube preamplifier, delivering surprisingly full and spacious sound for their size. Known for tuning large venues, the designer demonstrated his expertise in adapting sound for any room size, focusing on practicality and performance over extravagance.

202: LOTTON AUDIO

The Lotton Audio room showcased Taiwan’s DIY audio craftsmanship with the X5 single-ended tube amplifier, featuring EL34 power tubes and a classic design, driving their own K4 full-range speakers with warm, natural sound.

205: SHARKWIRE

The Sharkwire showcase introduced the new Aurora fuse, positioned between the Vulcan and Genesis models, demonstrated through an AB test with the Celiah & Perah amplifier for a direct sound comparison. The Medien S51 bookshelf speakers featured a 2-way design, pinewood cabinets, and a resonance-based build without internal damping, delivering 50Hz bass extension and 91dB sensitivity, making them a great fit for smaller spaces.

AOPT Audio—with over 20 years of expertise in fibre optic communications entered the HiFi market focusing on lossless audio transmission. Their debut THEIA series integrates fibre optic-based preamps and amplifiers, designed to eliminate signal loss, electromagnetic interference, and distance limitations of copper wiring. Inspired by the purity of light, THEIA aims to deliver clean, detailed, and immersive sound. However, their preamplifier was covered, signalling it’s still work-in-progress. The setup featured Sonus Faber Cremona Ellipsa SE speakers, complementing their forward-thinking approach with timeless design.

206: ACE AUDIO

The Cabasse Rialto stole the spotlight in this room for me—its sleek, compact wood cabinet hides a powerful 300W 3-way coaxial streaming speaker with musicality that glued me to the seat. The Cabasse Pelegrina was also impressive, but they need way bigger rooms. Monitor Acoustics showcased a variety of cables, power conditioners, and outlets, and as distributors for Gold Note, they also displayed their products. However, the Gold Note gear was only on static display and not available for listening this time.

207: OBIT AUDIO

The Obit Audio room highlighted their expertise in vibration control with B-series isolation platforms, paired with Sonus Faber Cremona M and FALCON 3/5a 50th Anniversary speakers. They also brought a selection of vintage second-hand turntables at competitive prices, including models from Roksan, Michell, Denon, Acoustic Solid, and Thorens. The setup featured the impressive JYC Audio PF-ONE phono stage, CHU DAC, and EVERSOLO DMP A6 streamer. Debuting at the show was the Sound Tamer audio rack, with a wire-suspended design and layered damping materials—an impressive addition to Taiwan’s growing lineup of high-end accessories.

209: KEEP RUNNING

The distributors of Perlisten, M&K Sound, and Primare stuck to their winning formula, presenting one of the most stylish living room home cinema setups at the show. The well-balanced 5.1 surround system was built around the Perlisten R5T towers, M&K LCR950, M40T satellites, and V10+ sub, powered by Primare’s SPA25 integrated surround amp with added muscle from the A35.8 multichannel power amp. Dirac Live room correction ensured precise calibration, while the Torus RM20 isolation transformer delivered clean, stable power. A BenQ laser short-throw projector completed the setup with sharp, vibrant visuals.

210: JBL LUXURY

The very fashionable JBL L series with the classic electronics looked like a page from a 1970s magazine. The L100 MkII, a 3-way bookshelf speaker, features a 12-inch white paper woofer, 5.25-inch midrange, and 1-inch titanium tweeter with waveguide, delivering 40Hz–40kHz frequency response and 90dB sensitivity. Its smaller sibling, the L82 MkII, is a 2-way design with an 8-inch woofer and 88dB sensitivity—compact but punchy. Both models wore JBL’s iconic Quadrex foam grilles in orange, blue, or black for that unmistakable retro flair.

The electronics lineup stayed true to the theme, featuring JBL’s TT350 Classic turntable, MP350 streamer, and SA750 integrated amp—all with matching aesthetics to complete the throwback look. Anchoring the low end was the new L10cs subwoofer, packing a 10-inch down-firing driver, 250W amp, and adjustable crossover—proof that JBL knows how to keep the bass booming.

212: CHIFOO

This room showcased a versatile mix of Gold Note, Plinius, and Leema Acoustics gear. At its core were Gold Note A6 EVO II floorstanding speakers, featuring a 3-way, 4-driver design with custom drivers and premium components. Amplification was split between Gold Note’s IS-1000 MkII all-in-one amp, offering 120W per channel, and a Plinius Hiato integrated amp delivering 300W into 8 ohms, paired with the DS-10 EVO preamp and PSU-10 EVO power supply. The Leema Acoustics Antila IIs Eco CD player handled digital playback with its 24-bit/192kHz DAC, balancing modern flexibility with traditional CD performance.

214: AUDIOMIS

Audiomis, blending instrument craftsmanship with audio technology, showcased the MC5 speakers paired with Eleven Audio’s Sagra DAC and A390 amplifier, delivering a natural, instrument-like sound. The electronics stood out as—spoiler alert—they’ll soon be arriving at my home for review. With in-house driver development, Audiomis demonstrated a particular talent for reproducing classical music with remarkable detail and authenticity.

215: ORIOLE SOUND AUDIO

OSA shifted focus from their flagship Kingdom tube amps to the more accessible Family series, featuring the 6L6 tube amp driving JMR Orfeo Jubilee speakers. The room also showcased OSA’s S310 preamp and a SME turntable for analogue playback. These JMR speakers always leave a lasting impression.

219: FOCAL

A powerhouse pairing with the Focal Scala Utopia Evo speakers, Moon’s North Collection 891 streamer-preamp, and 861 power amp for dynamic, high-resolution playback. Power was handled through Nordost QBASE Reference distributors and QKore grounding boxes, Nordost Odin Gold cables were also used.

220: HONGYUN

Bowers & Wilkins speakers paired with Accuphase amplification, offering three configurations for different needs. From the 805 D4 bookshelf speakers paired with the E-700 Class A integrated amp, to the 804 D4 floorstanders driven by the E-5000 AB-class integrated amp, and finally, the 803 D4 towers matched with C-2300 preamp and A-80 power amp, each system delivered the signature B&W clarity and scale. Sources included Auralic and EVERSOLO DMP-A8, and the setup was complemented by AudioQuest cables.

226: MUKAVA

Mukava is a newcomer to the acoustic treatment scene, combining style with functionality. The company is based in Taiwan, but my first encounter with them was at the Kuala Lumpur show. Their acoustic solutions are modular and practical, and they optimise sound in a variety of ways by combining diffusion and absorption.

Mukava demonstrates that acoustic treatments do not have to sacrifice form for function, thanks to its eco-friendly materials and contemporary style.

227: STEINMUSIC, ORIGIN LIVE

The room showcased the Stein Music HighLine Bobby L Signature speakers, a 2-way design with five mid-woofers and a horn tweeter, delivering fast, open, and dynamic sound. Powering the system were KR Audio VA910 power amplifiers and the P130 preamp, known for their tube-driven musicality and precision. Digital processing was handled by the ZeroUno DAC, ensuring high-resolution playback. The setup also featured Origin Live’s Sovereign MK4 turntable with optical speed detection for precision playback. New to the lineup was Final Touch Audio, a boutique Serbian cable brand offering handcrafted interconnects and digital cables, including the Callisto USB, inspired by Japanese sword-making techniques.

229: KII

The Kii Seven impressed with its clean design and effortless performance, sounding perfectly at home in the well-sized room. Its balance, clarity, and control made it an easy standout without taking up too much space.

231: LALS

LALS, a respected local speaker manufacturer known for its horn designs, showcased the updated Classical 12 SE G with a new Japanese birchwood finish. The richer, darker tone modernises its classic look while preserving its vintage charm. Powering the speakers was the LALS PowerAmp 170, a 170W per channel AB-class integrated amp featuring dual toroidal transformers and a balanced design. It drove the horns effortlessly, delivering a dynamic, textured, and natural performance with excellent detail.

Also on display was the Mahout ME100 Classic, a 15W per channel EL84 tube amplifier with a built-in DAC. The Classic 8EX bookshelf speaker and LAL external crossover were displayed on the side.

235: Q ACOUSITCS, ADVANCE

This room featured a home cinema setup built around Q Acoustics’ popular 5000 series, delivering a sleek and versatile surround sound experience. At select times, they switched to the Concept 500 speakers, showcasing their flagship stereo performance driven by the Advance A12 integrated amplifier

236/240: NIRVANA AUDIO

These two rooms were all about Nirvana’s Chronos and their partnership with Heed Audio. I have to admit, seeing their Lagrange integrated amp—the same one I have at home—felt a bit like how a Hollywood actor’s boyfriend might feel watching everyone swoon over his superstar partner on the big screen.

First up, the Grand Enigma speakers, with their quirky 45-degree angled drivers and transmission line design, aimed for spacious imaging and distortion-free performance. Powered by the Lagrange and paired with Chronos enhancers, the setup showed off Heed’s knack for blending technical precision with musicality—and yes, it made me feel a little proud of my own choice back home.

Next door, things scaled down with Boenicke W5 mini speakers, but don’t let the size fool you—they packed plenty of punch. The focus here was on Chronos audio enhancers, demonstrated through ABA tests that toggled the magic on and off. Supporting the demo were Heed’s Abacus S DAC and Obelisk Si3 amp, creating a clean and natural sound. Chronos even worked its tricks on power cables, proving tweaks can make a difference without messing with the original character.

241: TRACER

Tracer Systems showcased its finely engineered TS-1A301 speakers, constructed from aerospace-grade aluminium. This 3-way design, featuring dual 5.5-inch woofers and a rare dome midrange driver, delivered an expansive soundstage with impressive detail and dynamics. Driving the setup was the TS10 tiny but mighty class AB amplifier and TS-CDS01 CD player, accompanied by an unnamed streamer. Taking up a considerable portion of the floor space was the GS-1500 power supply—an imposing 80 kg isolating power conditioner equipped with a 2,800Wh lithium battery and 1,500VA output, ensuring clean, stable power delivery throughout the system.

239/243: USHER AUDIO

Usher’s new Nereo ND-5 speakers made a strong impression, blending their signature tonality with an engaging, well-controlled high and midrange. Featuring an MTM driver arrangement, the design uses two midrange drivers flanking a diamond tweeter—offering exceptional high-frequency extension without sounding clinical or cold. Instead, the ND-5 leaned slightly warmer than neutral, delivering great timing and musicality in a way that felt natural and immersive. The elegantly curved cabinet, built with layered wood and a front-firing port, added both visual appeal and structural rigidity. Driven by an all-Usher setup, the system featured the R-1.5 power amplifier—an evolution of Nelson Pass’s iconic Threshold Stasis design—delivering 150 watts per channel Class A goodness. Partnering it was the P-307A MKII preamplifier, a fully analogue unit with an external power supply, extended frequency response, and a smooth, relaxed sound signature. Together, they powered the speakers with impressive transparency, rich textures, and just the right touch of warmth—exactly the kind of performance that keeps Usher fans hooked.

245/247: FOCAL, SOULNOTE, ISOACOUSTICS

IsoAcoustics set up two rooms to highlight their acclaimed isolation technology while also showcasing an impressive lineup of electronics from Soul Note and speakers from Focal. One room focused on Soul Note’s high-end electronics, featuring the A-3 integrated amplifier, D-3 DAC, X-3 clock, and Z-3 network transport—all driving the elegant Focal Sopra No.2 speakers. It was a clean, highly resolving setup where IsoAcoustics’ isolation solutions subtly enhanced focus and soundstage depth without stealing the spotlight.

The second room featured an A/B comparison demo with Focal’s flagship Scala Utopia speakers, powered by Soul Note A-2 mono amplifiers and the P-3 preamp, paired with a Naim digital source. The IsoAcoustics isolation products added subtle refinements, enhancing clarity and focus. It was a convincing demonstration.

246/247: TAIFU AUDIO

The updated Dynaudio Confidence 60 stood out with its refined design and upgraded performance, featuring the third-generation Esotar3 tweeter and enhanced MSP drivers. It was driven by Constellation Audio’s Revelation series, including the dual-mono Pictor preamp with a dedicated power supply and the Taurus Stereo power amp, delivering 250W per channel with precision and ease. Digital playback was handled by the Innuos Zenith Next-Gen music server and Phoenix NET switch, ensuring low noise and accurate timing, all connected seamlessly with Siltech cables.

Playing during my visit was the sleek R1 Arrete bookshelf speaker, delivering room-filling sound with Audiovector’s signature AMT tweeter and an optimized cabinet design to minimize resonance. Digital playback featured the totalDAC d1-biunity, a dual-stage R2R ladder DAC offering refined detail and natural realism. Amplification was handled by Audio Research’s LS-28 SE preamp and Reference 80S power amp, delivering 70W per channel with balanced circuitry and tube warmth. Streaming came courtesy of the Innuos Zen Next-Gen server, paired with the Pulsar Reclocker and PhoenixNET switch for precise timing and reduced noise.

249: YAMAHA

Celebrating Yamaha Taiwan’s 70th anniversary, this two-room setup was packed—perhaps a bit too packed—with HiFi and home theatre systems, showcasing the full breadth of Yamaha’s offerings. While it wasn’t ideal for critical listening due to the overlapping setups, the sheer variety on display was impressive.

What really caught my attention was the NS-800A speakers paired with the R-N2000A integrated amplifier. The NS-800A features Yamaha’s Harmonious Diaphragm technology, borrowing elements from their flagship designs, and the R-N2000A streaming amplifier with multi-room capability. With three setups crossfeeding each other in the room, I couldn’t judge the sound properly, but this combo definitely deserves a quieter and more focused audition in the future.

256: PMC, AVM

A true music lover’s room, warm and inviting, showcased high-quality audio systems alongside a curated selection of vinyl records and classic CDs. At its heart were the PMC Fact.8 speakers paired with the PMC Cor integrated amplifier. Analogue fans could explore Nottingham Horizon and Zorin turntables with a Cyrus Phono Signature preamp, while digital playback was handled by AVM’s CD3.2 and MA30.3 mk2. Entreq grounding boxes and a mix of Inakustik and Entreq cables ensured clean and stable connections. Adding to the experience, they offered vinyl listening and professional cleaning services—perfect for collectors looking to keep their records in top shape.

250: MUTEC, JADIS, SPL

Now click here for Part Two of Gyula’s TECA 2024 report!

Gyula Weeber