165 Tanjong Pagar Road
#02-12 Amara Shopping Centre (Amara Hotel)
Singapore 088539

Tel: (65) 65349132

16 Nov 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

We have been asked from time to time the same questions by our new customers. Some questions are really innocent, mostly interesting and others logical that we could guess where they were coming from. Below is a short list and you may find your burning questions appear below. We thank you for asking!

Do You Ship Overseas?
Are You Related to High End Research (Singapore)?
Why Did You Not Setup At Adelphi?
Can I Pay You To Setup My Turntable?
Are these new LPs (used ones actually) and why are they so new?
Do You Provide “Taping” (transfer) Service i.e. From LP to CD?
Are You from Hong Kong?



Do You Ship Overseas?
NO - new equipment sales are for Singapore domestic market only.


Are You Related to High End Research?
NO - Modular Audio LLP is a fully independent and a completely separate entity from High End Research. Our relationship as a reseller is no different from any other Singapore Hi-Fi shops carrying High End Research distributed products.


Why Did You Not Setup At Adelphi?
Adelphi was in our shortlisted location but unfortunately during decision making time, the en-bloc fever was riding high fueling rumours everywhere. Nevertheless, we are happy with where we are and have received good feedback about Amara Shopping Centre being centrally located and a cozy relaxing place to enjoy shopping/audition in an interruption-free environment.


Can I Pay You To Setup My Turntable Or Cartridge?
NO - we do not provide such service for systems not purchased from us. On the other hand, when it is purchased from us, you can rest assured that the analogue source will be most optimally aligned to meet your critical expectation.


Are these new LPs (pointing to used ones actually) and why so new?
This sounds like a broken record to us - pun intended. The condition of our preowned LPs surprised many because most of them look and sound like new. The reason is because each LP is handpicked, inspected and cleaned. Only those records that meet audiophile’s high standards get to our racks.


Do You Provide “Taping” (transfer) Service i.e. From LP to CDR?
Answer is NO! We find this question really amusing and perhaps it could have been more appropriate for some record shops 20 years ago.


Are You from Hong Kong?
This is a getting to know you question that we like to answer. Yes, Martin Ng was formerly from HK and he and his family have settled here for more than a decade now. Oyster is a true-blue Singaporean although you may picked up some Cantonese accent from him that doesn’t quite belonged here. Well now you know where this undue influence came from.

We Are One ~ Happy Birthday

We celebrated our 1st birthday this month in August 16th.

How time flies, we can still recalled the organized chaos on the eleventh hour on the eve of our opening - labeling the software, setting up the equipment, touching up the decoration and all the other preparation to receive our first customer/guest. It is much like moving to a new house on the same day with your house warming party. Imagine the mixing of both stress and emotional highs to see your ideas and ideals coming to fruition in your opening day. One year on, we are very much still house proud and in business.

We are happy to have served and made many friends with local audiophiles not forgetting international ones over the net. We humbly admit we have much to learn about running a retail business (we were rookies!), the business seasons, the customer needs, the products and the competition... Many of which are precious life lessons.

Our singular approach and focus allow us to stay committed, steadfast to our ideals of what we can bring to the table (turntable?) to our customers in this small, niche market. All this while, our approach remains the same - singular focus in providing audiophiles with the best value, high performing audio products and maximizing your hi-fi investment (especially analogue), making it a plug-and-play experience (enjoyable) for you. We do not compete in price but win you by our service, value-add and delivery.

We would like to thank our customers, our family, friends and supporters (we know who you are!) for the past year. We wouldn’t be here without you - our heartfelt thanks to all. Modular Audio LLP is here for the long haul as we look forward to more good years (and ears) with you.

To thank you all, we’ll be doing a one-off special promotion this month for our CD and LP (conditions apply). For the week of 25th August (Mon) to 29 August (Fri), 20% discount will be applied to preowned LP and new CD. Do not miss this opportunity!!

Made In China

I usually do not give much attention to cover artists. I prefer the original version which the original singer/songwriter would intended it to be. When you are familiar with the original song, listening to the cover (new) versions would inevitably draw comparison to the original. If the feelings is not right or the same as the old (which is usually the case), I would naturally look for that remote control. The discovery (I am a laggard) I made last year is about cover artists from China. These artists mostly cover pop hits from Hong Kong and Taiwan of the 70s to 80s but arranged and produced for the audiophile market. To my surprise, some of these titles (music and productions) grew on me and are worthy keepers for high-end systems. Being the factory of the world (China), I learnt this factory now delivers high quality, audiophile approved standards in recording as well and throwing in awesome packaging and print quality (hardcover and lyrics). All these for a measly sum of about US$14 each.

With this success, it is only a matter of time original singer/songwriter would surface to join these proven China music labels and become Sheffield Lab or Chesky of China.

Music to Our Ears

I have to say Telarc Round Up : Erich Kunzel And Cincinnati Pops Orchestra was one good LP issue (or re-issue?) of 2007. Pressed in Germany in heavy 180g vinyl, this title gave me some excitement when I read about its impending release because the CD version I had for years was one of my best sounding CDs. I once remarked after listening to this disc in a high-end system several years back that if all digital was recorded this well, who would think of vinyl? I am glad to say that this vinyl version still prevails but not by much. However, knowing my personal analogue rig is so much higher than my digital player, any side-by-side comparison would not be meaningful. Still, this double set LP got my vote for the most anticipated LP issue for 2007 and lived up to expectation.

For new music in 2007, I like the Eagles “Long Road Out of Eden” which is recently available in vinyl. It has been 28 long years since their last studio album “The Long Run” and personally, I prefer this latest release. Although this current one is no 5-Star Hotel California quality (who could top that?), there are enough good songs and Top 40 stuff to make this record enjoyable for repeat listening. If the Eagles would compact the good songs (which is subjective) into a single disc, I would give it a high 4.5 out of 5 stars. But this is the Eagles and to classic rock fans like me, I am happy just to listen to these new materials.

For new old music, the Beatles “Love” remixed 2LP were absolutely fabulous in my opinion. This is also my best sounding Beatles record bar none. The flat surface, quiet vinyl and audiophile attention to the mastering and production made this a delightful and satisfying record to listen and hold. Although this is not a Stars On 45 Beatles medley but to some purists (like me), we would prefer Disc 2 because of more full length songs. I find “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Revolution” to be jaw dropping good. If the quality of the original master tapes were this high (per colour insert booklet), imagine the possibility of full catalogue Beatles re-release in the hands of George Martin and son. Let’s all start writing to ask EMI to do just that shall we?

Tip of the Year

3M – Scotch Brite microfiber cleaning cloth gets our vote for the best non-audiophile cleaning kit for audiophiles. It is non-scratching, re-usable, high performing way to clean our prized equipment especially for Kharma speakers. This is one fast, safe and economical way to return the gloss surface of Kharma without need to purchase special polishes or pre-moistened wipes. Just take note that if the speaker or equipment is exposed to particles that may scratch the surface, it is best to vacuum clean before wiping it with 3M Scotch Brite. This wiper is easily available in most supermarkets. I would like to thank Mr. Au(diophile) for this helpful tip.

Do You Have 10 Seconds?

I am very fond of the Furutech deStat handheld device introduced last year. For just 10 seconds (on each side), you can get rid of static on your software (LP/CD/DVD) and up your enjoyment by a few notches. It is also fun to see the glow in our customer’s eyes when they heard the aftereffect which is repeatable. The treated discs have a cleaner background and lessened edginess to bring forth more energy to the music.

We have applied it on record mat, record cleaning machine and found them to work there as well. It is amazing how all these new tweaks work and would continue to improve an already tweaked system. The only ”complaint” we see is the work and more work to do as we apply this great tweak on top of the last good one on top of the previous, on top of... Nonetheless, I reckon 10 seconds is not too much to ask to improve your favourite discs.

Last But Not Least

I can’t help if you think about my biasness but the updated version of Unison Research Unico Secondo hybrid integrated amplifier is certainly a Best-Buy for last year (and years ahead). The flexibility and convenience if offers are just one of the many things you will adore about this amplifier. It is powerful - conservatively rated only at 100w (more like 120w). It is also robust, fast, elegant and yet fluid combining every strength of solid stage and tube stage to drive most real world speaker comfortably. In my long listening, I am also impressed by the simple add-on phono card which plays both MM as well as high output MC very well. How did the Italians pack in so much in one unit? If there is an audio manufacturer Union, Unison Research would have breached the picket fence for providing so much for this little.I think you will hear more buzz from the audio magazines about Unico Secondo in 2008 and will be a headliner like its predecessor. A truly exceptional value for money product.

So that’s all I have to say for 2007. As we look forward into 2008, Modular Audio will continue to bring you high value, quality products to lift your levels of enjoyment in this great hobby. We will keep pushing our high service standards which many of you have already come to appreciate.
 

Well, the problem was the less than Near-Mint rating that I was fooled into. At best, it is between EX and VG+. The LP has this - can’t be ignored scratch in the opening track (Tulsa Time) and the surface “frying beans” noises (all 4 sides), occasional ticks that just couldn’t be removed. This despite my clean – play – clean iterations using my VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine. So gave up I did and “Just One Night” became just one time with this net seller.

When we purchased the Clearaudio Matrix record cleaning machine (rcm) to perform cleaning duties of the LPs in our store, I decided to put the Matrix to the test. This was after I perceived very positive results with the LPs we cleaned at our store. I was thinking “Could Matrix save Clapton?”

Before I go into what happened next, let me tell you that we find the Clearaudio Matrix is a long term, heavy duty record cleaning machine. Unlike the VPI 16.5 you can spend all day cleaning without any hint of strain. The LP cleaning solution (we recommend using Mint) dispenser and light brushing is provided in a user adjustable arm. Cleaning fluid application is accomplished with an integrated pump system that applies the cleaning solution to the LP surface during wash.

There are two levels of powerful vacuum force to pick up even the most stubborn dirt and the bi-directional platter switchable on the fly provides flexibility and complete coverage of the LP surface and grooves. In our experience of rcm, the ultra powerful vacuuming and bi-directional rotation are pivotal in making the difference between normal cleaning and deep cleaning. 

Although you do not get the near silent operation of a Loricraft (who could?), the Matrix does everything else right. It doesn’t run hot, doesn’t attract any static onto your cleaned LP (clean as many rounds as you wish) and most importantly, it does its cleaning job really effectively.

So how did the rejuvenated Nautilus version sound after few rounds of Matrix treatment? In a word – Wonderful (tonight?) and let me add another – Unbelievable. You see, before this I’ve actually written-off this copy and to hear it sound this way (refreshed) is simply unbelievable. The net result is a firm upgrade to EX+ grading. If not for the groove damage on side 1 track 1, I would’ve agreed with the seller’s original grading.

If you play records, you should own at least an rcm e.g. the lite version called Clearaudio Smart Matrix. But if you are serious into vinyl or have a sizeable collection, you own it to yourself to check out the Clearaudio Matrix. Listening to a deeply cleaned LP is like owning the better pressing – darker background, better dynamics contrast and overall crispier, decisive sound. The Clearaudio Matrix record cleaner has been a winner of the TAS Editor’s Choice Award for 3 years running (2005 to 2007) not without good reasons.

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14 Oct 07

Goldmund Mimesis PH7.3

When I first learnt know about hi-fi and the different brands, the impression of Goldmund of Switzerland was - aloof, inaccessible and unaffordable. Unlike the other hi-end brands, Goldmund remains relatively quiet in most hi-fi magazines and is hardly reviewed by webzines. This perhaps intentionally or unintentionally raises its image of luxury and for many mid-fi going hi-fi audiophiles, Goldmund usually doesn’t cross their mind. That was the case for me when I started this journey and I was wrong...

If you are a vinylphile and have never heard a Goldmund before then you must check out the Goldmund Mimesis PH7.3 phono preamplifier. The PH7.3 phono preamp is positioned at the SR range and at this “budget” range, there is no thick casing, no gold badge and limited usage flexibility i.e. function before anything else. Well, a Goldmund without the luxuries, is it still a Goldmund? If it is the Goldmund sound and performance you are after, then the answer is an unqualified YES

The PH7.3 supports 2 RCA phono input – MC and MM and with a flip switch behind to select high or low gain. Load and impendence selections are via the internal dip switches. For MC load, there are 10 selections from 10 Ohmns to 47k Ohmn. For MM, there are similar 8 different loads (47k Ohmns to 100k Ohmns) and 8 Capacitance loads (22 pF to 9.4 nF) to adjust. Unless you are a hi-fi reviewer or someone who likes to rotate phono cartridges often, like some English football coaches rotating his team weekly, then these adjustments shouldn’t be a bother to you once set.

A very good phono preamp has to be flexible (gain and load adjustable), ultra quiet, accurate (to the source material) and support most common cartridge configurations. The PH7.3 scores in all these fronts and challenges the hi-end counterparts - yes, we did AB the PH7.3 with a few pricier neighbors and it was a sweet surprise.

The PH7.3 is priced at the mid-fi range which isn’t bargain stuff but it is at the bracket where the price-performance jump is more significant. The only caveat when you are auditioning this box is not to judge its sound when it is stone cold. Once PH7.3 warms up, you will not give up your listening seat.

Modular Audio has this giant-killer warmed up and ready to impress. Do give us a call if you need more details or better drop by for an audition. You will be glad you did.

TECHNICAL DATA

Type: Solid State Phono Preamplifier MM Gain: 1 KHz: 36dB (low) and 42dB (high). MC Gain: 1khz: 55dB (low) and 61dB (high) RIAA Curve: –0.2 dB / + 0.2 dB max derivation from RIAA curve. Distortion: Distortion: < 0.002% (400Hz-20kHz at 6Vrms output). Dimensions (W/H/D): 305 x 75 x 435 Weight: 5kg Output Impedance: 100 Ohms. Max output level: 18Vpp POWER Manufacturer website: www.goldmund.com

30 Sept 07

All right now...

As a follow up to our initial article on getting the turntable setup right, we would like to share with you some requirements and experience we have had in our years of fiddling with analogue. How do you know things are right?

Requirements

A turntable set right should exhibit these minimum characteristics:

• Absolutely no IGD or Inner Groove Distortion. IGD (if any) is easily noticeable when you play a female vocal piece close to the lead-out groove. If you detect any “breaking” in the vocals especially in the stronger or higher pitch, it didn’t pass the IGD test. 
• An airy, transparent, natural, effortless, high-resolution presentation that is never harsh from the 1^st track to the last. There should be no difference where the playing stylus is, the sound quality should faithfully remain constantly - good.
• Longer lasting stylus - assuming you play only good condition records
• No cantilever slanting problem even upon reaching the end of the lifespan of the phono cartridge
• Lower noise floor

The right turntable setup should make you sit up and listen. It’s a feeling you know it is right - not for the hyper details, not for the audiophile superlatives but the music. Simply, music itself at a level that touches you and draws you in to keep you playing records after records.

The problem

All things being equal, the price of the analogue rig is irrelevant of how “right” it should sound but just corresponding rise in expectation. If it is not optimally setup, it will not beat anybody (digital shootout) and can even be embarrassing to the owner when the table is an expensive one.

On the contrary, a perfectly setup rig will shine and perform at a level that even more pricey sources would look up to. This is where the fun is and where analogue heads should head to and get their money worth.

Turntable setup is no rocket science and we certainly do not want to sound like a wet blanket to beginners or aspiring vinylphiles. However, getting a turntable setup right is not exactly a piece of cake (we know we’re repeating but this is the fundamental and important) – it takes the right tools and skills that come only with experience. Perhaps we have heard one too many turntables setup (some very expensive) that is casually setup without the owner realizing the untapped potential or problem.

The result

As you may already know, we are also audiophiles. Our personal record collection would most likely follow us to our graves or leaves us when our CPF funds run out (whichever comes earlier).

We are in no financial position to compete in price and with our limited funds we cannot afford to bring in the flavor of the day too. We believe what we bring to the table (pun intended) for our customers is value:

• Value in the form of bringing you high performing turntables worthy of your investment
• Value in bringing you true analogue enjoyment because of our high and strict standards in turntable setup

In the end, your pleasure is our business.

24 Sept 07

Fun, Fun, Fun

Hobby should be nothing but fun, fun, fun - like the Beach Boys. Having said that, we’re dead serious in telling you that getting a turntable right is our business and it is no peace of cake. You see, the turntable is largely a mechanical device, full of moving parts and geometry. It can be intimidating to many especially beginners. But we all know too well why analogue sound still rules and all the trouble are worth the effort.

Given that analogue is still the undisputed king of the hill, how do you enjoy it to the fullest? It is not just about buying a turntable, put on an LP and you get the result. No, not so simple. To get analogue right, you need a steady pair of hands, patience, the right tools and most of all, the know-how to setup. It is dead easy to get a turntable spinning but that’s not the point.

We have learnt through our years - to get the geometry exactly right, approximation is not good enough. We do not subscribe to one-size fits all alignment method or jig for that matter. To get the analogue rig to sound right, effortless, natural, kick-ass, it has to be done perfectly.

When you make your analogue investment with us, rest assured that you will get the result. No ifs, no buts. We will remove the technicalities (for you), the guesswork, headache and frustration. The pleasure will be all yours.

At the end of the day, this hobby is supposed to be fun - if it isn’t, try fishing instead :-)