STATEMENT SYSTEMS
Statement Systems has been quite consistent in hitting a high level of sonic excellence during AV shows. Even though the system set up for the NIAVS 2026 in Penang was much cheaper than the one used during last year’s WAVE Audio Visual Experience in Kuala Lumpur, the audiophiles who turned up in Terry’s room were quite satisfied.
The demo system comprised the Lumin U2X Network Player, MSB Cascade DAC (a three-box design that costs about as much as a BMW 5 series), the Vitus Audio SL-103 preamp, Vitus SM-025 monoblocks, Marten Coltrane 3 speakers and cabling from Jorma and Argento. AA Audio’s USB cable was also used.
AFC TOP HI-FI
I have heard Piega speakers before, but this time there was something special going on. I had asked Matthew Ong to play Queen Mary by Francine Thirteen and there were parts of the song that sounded as if his setup was a sensurround system.
I kept looking at the side walls because the sound seemed to be coming from the side walls.
The system comprised the Piega Coax 411 bookshelf speakers, Bladelius ASK Integrated Amplifier, Laiv Harmony DAC, LAIV Harmony uDDC, Xtark DM3500 streamer and Monitor Acoustic US type socket as power distribution.
I checked the cables and found out Matthew’s secret ingredient — he used Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker cables (err, don’t ask “how much?”). Matthew said he has tried many types of speaker cables, but the Nordost was the perfect match with the Piega speakers. The Piega Coax 411 features a coaxial ribbon which handles the mids and highs seamlessly.
CMY AUDIO & VISUAL
The Focal Diva Utopia active wireless speakers were introduced in Malaysia in 2024, but they still continue to impress.
Basically, they are Focal speakers and Naim amplifiers packed into the cabinets of two floorstanding speakers. The woofer is powered by a 250 watt Class AB Naim amp, the midrange driver is powered by a Naim 75-watt Class AB amp and the tweeter is powered also by a 75-watt Naim Class AB amplifier.
Another plus point is the Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning (ADAPT) which is Focal’s technology to tune the speaker’s frequency response to your room’s acoustics.
CMY AUDIO & VISUAL
This system looked fabulous as the white speakers and sub-woofers along with the silver-coloured components were in contrast to the black walls and floor. The stylish shape of the Estelon Aura speakers added to the spectacular sight.
The sound was quite good too. The system comprised the Estelon Aura speakers, Metronome Technologie AQWO2 DSD DAC SACD-CD Network Player, Goldmund Telos 670 integrated amp, two REL Acoustics T/7x sub-woofers, Shunyata Denali-X power distributor, and Shunyata and Siltech cables.
TECHX HOME AUDIO & HIFI
I have heard the Eversolo AMP-F10 Class AB amp before and felt it sounded just okay. But at the NIAVS 2026, two Eversolo AMP-F10s were used in bridged mode delivering 950 watts per channel into 4 Ohms. These amps drove the Revival Audio Atalante 5 large standmount speakers.
The three-way speakers with dome mid-driver looked old-fashioned, but the sound was fast and furious. The streamer was the Eversolo DMP-A10 connected to the Eversolo DAC Z10.
I honestly did not expect this system to sound good, but it sure did.
JW SPEAKER LAB
Joseph Wong has refined his speakers over the years and the latest iteration of his speaker designs is the JW Jitu, a two-way MTM vented bookshelf speaker using SB Acoustics Satori woofers and beryllium tweeter. The JW Jitus are placed on tripod speaker stands also designed by Joseph Wong.
The speakers were driven by an 8-watt 300B Mira Ceti valve amp from Fezz Audio, a Polish company. The DAC was an Equinox also from Fezz Audio. Streamer was the AARS (Roon Server and Endpoint) from AA Audio,and the USB cable was the AA Audio SiG XT.
AUDIO CONCEPT
Audio Concept is a dealer from Ipoh and the head honcho K.S. Chong set up a McIntosh and Sonus Faber system which sounded surprisingly good.
The system comprised the McIntosh MSA 5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier, McIntosh C2800 preamp, McIntosh MC312 power amp and the Sonus Faber Amati G5 floorstanders.
