An audiophile finds heaven, but it isn't cheap

Of course, there are cheaper alternatives and some are locally made. Horntex Audio Lab owner and sole employee Hong Renn-yow (洪任佑) will hand craft you a two speaker, single-amp system for a bargain-basement NT$1 million. Hong makes each component by hand, from the metallic paper fitted in each driver to the horns that house them.

"I make 2,000 tweeters and 2,000 mid-range speakers every year by myself," Hong said. "I make 500 woofers and hundreds of amps every year -- just one man!"

Acoustician Lawrence Liao

(廖龍司) of Lawrence's Audio has fashioned a speaker set that, once installed, looks like a string quartet has taken up residence in your living room. His Rosewood Violin, Cello and Double Bass speakers are modeled after the instruments whose names they bear. Though it might appear a somewhat gimmicky design choice, the results are astounding. They cost less than Hong's giant system, but offer arguably better audio imaging.

Putting on a CD of Tchaikovsky in his showroom, Liao echoed Ma's sentiments regarding music and music reproduction. A music system, he said, is only good as the music you play on it.

"If you're looking for the best system on which to play your compressed MP3 files, you're better off looking at a computer store."