TPAF TAIWAN PORTABLE AUDIO FAIR 2024 REPORT

HiFi PiG’s Gyula heads to Taipei’s TPAF 2024 Show for a whole lot of Headfi.

TPAF was one of the audio calendar’s biggest surprises in 2023, as a dedicated show for the ever-expanding audience of Headfi enthusiasts. This year, the TPAF 2024 Headfi Show further upped its game, moving to the iconic Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

This historic site, once a tobacco factory, now serves as a creative hub in Taipei, home of the Design Museum and a very popular hangout. Set in one of the hangars, the retro industrial charm provided the perfect backdrop for the event….now you can read Gyula’s TPAF 2024 Report to find out what he found there.

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TPAF 2024 REPORT

I was looking forward to TPAF 2024 to explore the latest releases and dive into some serious listening sessions. Even timed my Christmas shopping accordingly. The exhibitors did not disappoint, presenting a host of top-tier equipment and curating fantastic experiences. It was clear from the crowd that TPAF had successfully captured the attention of the passionate audience. The show struck an impressive balance, showcasing a mix of well-known and highly respected international brands alongside newcomers and innovative local startups.

One of the first stalls to catch my eye was Mondo, thanks to their trendy retro designs and colorful, nostalgic-looking headphones. As a big fan of the Koss PortaPro on-ear headphones, I was intrigued and decided to try their Freestyle model. The design was delightful, with comfortable wear and a unique rotary-dial setup on each earcup—a fun, tactile touch. The sound, tuned for a retro vibe, leaned a bit “boxy,” but that’s a matter of taste. However, the real dealbreaker for me was their app. Unlike straightforward Bluetooth pairing, these headphones demand a dedicated app to connect, and that kind of unnecessary bloatware is always a hard pass in my book. 

Next up was Technics, a brand whose headphones have always piqued my interest but are notoriously hard to come by in Taiwan. I couldn’t resist trying their AZ80 IEMs, and while IEMs aren’t usually my cup of tea, these were stunning. Their clarity, balance, and overall tuning felt spot-on, with great ANC and call quality as well. I also took the chance to try their full-size A800 headphones and was even more impressed. The size added depth and refinement for the signature “Technics” sound, with elevated comfort and lightweight! It’s clear that Technics has a signature tonality that resonates with my preferences. Among all the wireless options at the show, these stood out as my absolute favourite—an effortless blend of refinement and musicality.

Trying to maintain order in the madness of the show, I first tried a variety of wireless headphones. One highlight was the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, a fresh over-ear release from the German headphone maestros. Packed with Dolby Atmos and head tracking, powerful ANC, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX lossless, and a decent 50-hour battery life, it’s a feature-packed powerhouse—a serious player.

 A headphone I had on my radar before the show was the Denon Perl Pro, and it didn’t disappoint. One of its standout features is Masimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT), which maps your ear canal to create an EQ tailored specifically to your unique hearing. Setting it up took just about three minutes, and the process itself was fascinating—though not without its quirks. Interestingly, some listeners took offence at how the headphones “perceived” their hearing, but this is clearly a case of tech pushing boundaries. The results, however, were undeniable. With AAT turned on, the difference was immediately noticeable—it felt like the music had been further fine-tuned. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will match your preferred tonality perfectly, though it can get very close. The sound quality was impressive, and with the option for additional adjustments, the Perl Pro stands out as one of the most customizable headphones I’ve encountered. A genuinely unique and intriguing listening experience.

In the sea of IEMs, I took a moment to explore Rainstone Audio’s lineup. A new brand blending gaming focus with audiophile sensibilities, Rainstone delivers solid options backed by a passionate team. The Stuka, with its sound tuned for gaming, offers immersion and clarity, while the Garand, the flagship still under $300, impresses with its three-driver setup and refined detailed sound signature. My personal pick was the Katyusa, striking a balance with its relaxed, musical tuning—comfortable for extended listening.

Phatlab’s Phantasy II portable headphone amplifier, paired with the RIO DAC and Austrian Audio Conductor headphones, brought a rich, detailed sound with a lovely tone across the range—one of the best I’ve heard from this headphone. True to its name (Portability, Headphone, Class-A, and Tube), the Phantasy II combines desktop-level power with a portable design, featuring balanced outputs and permalloy transformers, while the Rio Dac supports high-res formats like PCM, DSD, and MQA. With its solid CNC-milled aluminium build and warm, full-bodied sound, it’s a standout for audiophiles on the go—both elegant and seriously capable.

Naimu Sound Lab, a Taiwanese startup, showed that affordability doesn’t mean compromise. Paired with the Dan Clark Expanse headphones, their setup revealed an almost annoyingly high level of details. Listening to some demo tracks, I couldn’t help but notice flaws in the recordings themselves—proof of this system’s transparency. The amp’s design is a bit loud, but as a first model, it’s a good way to stand out—both visually and sonically.

Ferrum Audio Wandla (GoldenSound edition) OOR and Hypsos are well-deserved celebrities of the Headfi space; during the show, they paired it with the great Auralic Aries S1 streamer and Austrian Audio Composer headphone. The sound was detailed and captivating, and the Auralic’s Lightning DS app provided an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

I kicked off my flagship experience with the PrimaLuna EVO100 headphone amp, paired with the Aurender A1000 digital source, EAHibrid Pure DC-B1 power supply, SOtM switch and clock, Cardas cables, and ATH-800 headphones. The result? A lush, inviting sound that was as captivating as it was indulgent—pure audiophile heaven.

The DUNU Arashi headphones, the flagship planar magnetic headphone with their multi-layer composite diaphragm and lightweight voice coil, paired elegantly with the MSB Premier Headphone Amplifier in this premium setup. Designed for comfort and high sensitivity, the Arashi delivered a clear and refined sound, while the Premier amplifier’s balanced architecture and meticulous build offered precise control and ample power. The Totaldac d1 DAC and preamp provided the foundation, delivering a transparent and natural sound signature. Feeding the digital chain was the Innuos Zenith Next Gen streamer, complemented by the Pulsar reclocker and PhoenixNET switch, ensuring impeccable timing and minimized noise. Together, they created a polished listening experience, showcasing the engineering finesse behind both components.

Yamaha showcased their flagship HA-L7A amplifier paired with the YH 5000SE headphones, a combination that demonstrated what the Yamaha brand represents. The HA-L7A’s clean power delivery and precise control perfectly complemented the YH 5000SE’s planar magnetic drivers, resulting in a sound that was balanced and full of nuance. This pairing offered impressive detail retrieval and a natural, refined presentation, making even complex tracks feel effortless and engaging.

Eleven Audio—or XIaudio, as they’re also known—delivered a memorable experience, reaffirming their strong reputation in the Headfi world. Their collaboration with Abyss headphones resulted in two standout setups. The first featured the Abyss Diana DZ headphones, adorned with refined violet abalone accents, paired with the Eleven Audio K DAC (an R-2R design) and Broadway headphone amp. The listening experience was as distinctive as the design—comfortable and immersive. I found myself so absorbed that it took a few tracks to remember I should let others have a go too.

The second setup brought out the full potential of Abyss’ flagship AB1266 headphones, powered by Eleven Audio’s Sagra DAC2, Powerman power supply, and Formula S headphone amplifier, with the source handled by the excellent Moon 681 streamer from the NORTH collection. This system was tuned for precision, showcasing remarkable detail and control. As a bonus, Eleven Audio introduced their new A390 integrated stereo amplifier, their first venture into stereo amplification. It’s an exciting addition, and I’m already planning a closer listen soon!

Stay tuned for Gyula’s next adventures in the Taiwan HiFi scene when he heads to the December HiFi Show at the Grand Hotel.

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Gyula Weeber