Through the last three decades of development, Taiwan has sought to create itself in the image of advanced Western nations. Through the economic miracle, the arduous routine of the agricultural society is now a thing of the past, and Taipei has made considerable achievements in becoming a cosmopolitan modern metropolis. Taste and sophistication have become important to many, and so it is hardly surprising that the International Hi-end Excellence Show, which kicks off today at the Grand Hotel, is expected to attract considerable interest. For people with money to spend, it is an opportunity for checking out some of the choicest items currently available.
The Hi-end Excellence Show (
This year, the event's organizers, the Taiwan Hi-End Society (
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
While stereo equipment will still be a major aspect of the show, there will also be cameras, European designer furniture, watches, golfing equipment, wine spectacles and car stereo systems. The labels are present at the show by invitation, receiving the imprimatur of the Hi-end Society as being the best of their kind.
Among the regular participants in the show is Ellison Chen (
"My wife and children know not to interrupt me when I am listening to music," Chen said. The walls of his flat are piled high with CDs and records, and, although he says he loves music, he also admits, slightly shamefacedly, that he probably likes tampering with his stereo system even more. "Music should be the end, the stereo only the means," he said, "but sometimes it simply does not work out like that."
"You always want to try new stuff. When you hear someone else's system, you want to incorporate that kind of sound into what your have," Chen said.
His current stereo configuration, obtained after going through nearly 300 different stereo sets, comprises a Linn CD-12, Esoteric DV-50, Ayre K-1 pre-amp, a Goldmund 8.2 power amp, Micro 3000 LP player and Genesis 2 speakers.
The sound created by his four 2m-tall Genesis speakers through a Linn CD player puts you right in the pit of the orchestra, the sound resonating through the room as it would in a concert hall.
"Apart from seeking the spirit of the music, you also want the design of the equipment to be beautiful. As people's tastes become more refined, you can see how the design of the equipment changes. The speakers produced by some brands are now virtually works of art," Chen said.
"You have to find the kind of equipment that suits your own taste," Chen went on, pointing out that the products of different countries or brands had different qualities. "You have to understand these differences. For example, crystal sets produce a clear, crisp sound while that of a vacuum tube is broader and softer. As for speakers, the sound from US-made speakers has a strident quality. Those from Italy are more mellow."
For Chen, sophistication is picking from among the best the world has to offer. "I use a Goldmund amplifier because it creates a sound that is aristocratic and graceful," he said, "but of course, the total configuration is also very important, even down to the cables you use."
There will be plenty of choice for you over the next four days at the Grand Hotel to pick among the best quality equipment on the market and share ideas with people who have been involved with quality stereos for many decades. "In some ways, it is a pretty small circle of people," Chen said. But of course this year, you don't have to be an audio head to enjoy the show. Pick up a couple of bottles of a rare vintage, sit back in some designer furniture, slip on those shades and forget the time on your handmade watch and let the music roll over you.
The show opens to trade and press today, and will be open to the public tomorrow through to Tuesday from 1pm to 9pm at the Grand Hotel (
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