Toshi Kubota - In The Mood

Misc Tunes.

TILL THEY TAKE MY HEART AWAY(REMIX) - CLAIR MARLO



Without Me - Claire Marlo



DO YOU LOVE ME - Clair Marlo



M2M-The Day You Went Away



Di yi ci ai de ren - The day you went away (chinese version)

Moonlight Dinner At Island Golf Club On Saturday 15th November, 2008

Last Saturday Night a group of us had a Thai style dinner under the moonlight and stars to celebrate Momoko's Birthday. It was a very enjoyable night in the open restaurant of Island Golf Club and we sampled many differnt styles of Thai food. Some photos below:-

Above: Large group photo of the dinner party with Momoko

seated in front of her mango birthday cake.
Above: L to R - Steven, Momoko and close friend Amanda.

Johnny Nash: I Can See Clearly Now.

How To Play: I Can See Clearly Now.

Jimmy Cliff - I Can See Clearly Now.

Lyrics | Jimmy Cliff - I Can See Clearly Now lyrics

Earphones: CrossRoads MylarOne XBi (Ruby Red)

The Korean earphone brand CrossRoads and their Singaporean distributor Jaben gained quite a good reputation for their MylarOne line of IEM's in the past. The now sadly discontinued X3 and XB phone variants are said to be among the really good choices in the $60 price range of IEM's that had been around for some time. CrossRoads upgraded their product line with the newly introduced X3i and XBi models. The X3i is the more "natural" sounding model, while the XBi is the bass heavier one. The model I have is the XBi as I wanted heaver bass. Dealing with Jaben is a pleasure and they will always aim to please their customers.

I think one really does not have to go into much detail about the mid and upper range reproduction as it is the same outstanding performance the the previous models excelled in. Where these small rubies shine are in the bag end - the bass, they produce thundering well controlled bass better then any other IEM I have yet heard and the bass is always tight and never muddy. Without a doubt the XBi is my favorite IEM thus far for super bass extension and practically beats all. There is a slight exageration of bass at first but this will tame with burn in.

Soundstage and imaging are the strongest points of the MylarOne XBi. They provide an excellent, almost 3D image of the musical instruments on better quality recordings. The XBi sounstage is probably amongst the best in IEM's.

Impressive performance earns a 4.95 out of 5.


Specs:

• Driver: 10mm dynamic Mylar driver
• Sensitivity: 95 +/- 4dB/mW
• Impedance: 16 Ohms
• Frequency response: 20Hz - 22kHz
• Cable: 135cm, Y-style, straight 3.5mm gold plated stereo plug
• Accessories: case, cable wrapper, shirt clip, silicon sleeves (S, M, L, double flanges), airline adapter

Reviewing gears:

Source: 4GB MP3/4 Player; 8GB 2.8"LCD TOUCH SCREEN MP3/4 VIDEO PLAYER; EPC-303 MP5 8GB 3.0 Inch TFT LCD Screen Player - Red / Black; Oregon Scientific Music Orbit & Station; Denon CDR-W1500 HDCD Recorder/Player.

Head Amps. & DAC: Little Dot MKI Portable Headphone Amp Amplifier; Cmoy headphone amplifier with Bass Boost Setting in a custom made exotic padauk and zebra wood case (opa2227 opamp); Xiang Sheng 708B Tube Headphone Pre Amplifier; Go Vibe mini USB Audio DAC (Burr-Brown PCM2702).

Reviewing CD and Tracks: Custom made by ripping songs to FLAC than normalized/burnt via Nero9.

CD Tracks: Esteban - Norwegian Wood; Everything But The Girl - I didn't know I was looking for love; The Corrs - Runaway; Acoustic Alchemy - Mr. Chow; The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony; Willie & Lobo - Amsterdam; Tim Weisberg - Party of One; Sleep Station - There She goes; Seattle Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Scherzo); Sim Riney - What was I to you; Rebecca Pidgeon - Spanish Harlem.

Rating: From one star (★, lowest rating) to five stars (★★★★★, highest rating), including half a star (☆). Criteria include [Packaging / Build Quality / Accessories / Isolation / Microphonics / Comfort / Soundstage / Sound Quality / Value] Note: The rating is based on comparison b/w the IEM listed below and not on absolute term. There might be better / worst IEM that are not listed in this review.

★★★★★-The best
★★★★---Really good
★★★-----Average
★★-------Just OK
★---------Not worth it


Earphones: CrossRoads MylarOne XBi
Transducer: drivers are made from Mylar
Spec: 16Ω | 20Hz~ 20kHz | 95dB +/- 4dB/mW | Cord Style: 135cmY-style, straight 3.5mm gold plated stereo plug.
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated, med. build.
Eartips Used: Case, cable wrapper, shirt clip, silicon sleeves (S, M, L, double flanges), airline adapter
Packaging: ★★★★★
Build Quality: ★★★ (delicate build)
Accessories: ★★★★★ (everything you need is included, A+, even airline adapter)
Isolation: ★★★★
Microphonics: ★★★ (earbud style)
Comfort: ★★★★★ (cable fitted with shirt clip)
Soundstage: ★★★★★ (3D soundstage presentation!)
Sound Quality: ★★★★★ (very musical, extremely good bass extension and mids - treble sweet and detailed)
Value: ★★★★★ ( best sounding for its price/a high performance IEM at around $60)
Remarks: The sound quality of this IEM is superb and out classes many in the bass extension handling department. Good value IEM's.

Clip On Over Ear Cans: Dunu DN-C60 (From China)

The Dunu DN-C60 clip over the ear cans are in similar styling to the Koss KSC-75 cans and indeed they have been rated at the KSC-75 equivalents of China. They come in black and white versions and those of you who have a pair of the modestly priced Koss KSC-75 can will probably be enticed by the sound qualities and attributes of the Dunu DN-C60 which provide very adequate bass and all rounded tonal range through mid and high ranges. I do not personally like clip on over ear cans that much and this testament is shown by the number in my collection. But these are worthy to keep in any collection. These are open back dynamic cans and are said to employ Dunu's proprietary "Super Bass Frequency Technology", but I do not understand enough Chinese to know what exactly is involved:

40MM特殊强磁性汝磁铁超大扬声器单元，根本上保证音乐高品质的回放效果。 耳机采用了独家研发的能有效提高随身听音质的“全音域增强系统” [商品说明] 类 型：动圈式40mm 灵敏度：102±3dB(1000Hz/mW) 电 阻：40Ω±10%(DC) 通 道 差：3dB(at 1000Hz) 额定功率：8mW 插 头：φ3.5mm立体声插头*2 最大功率：50mW SMARTER数码频道为广大网民提供数码产品的选购、评测、应用、新闻和技术参数等相关内容。达音科 DN-C60是耳机/耳麦行业的知名品牌，聪明点为您精心挑选了此款达音科 DN-C60的相关销售商家信息，您可以在本页...

DN-C60 Specifications:

Drivers: 40mm diameter
Imp.: 40 ohms
freq.: 7 ~ 24KHz
min. power: 8 mW
max. power: 50 mW
eff.: 102 dB

Audio Technica Limited Edition ATH-ESW10JPN

Audio Technica recently released the very limited edition ATH-ESW10JPN. The suffix JPN denoting Japan and meaning that this headphone is only available as a limited edition for release in the Japanese domestic market. It is unavailable elsewhere. The ATH-ESW10JPN is a new version of the ATH-ESW9. There really are no big improvements that can be immediately seen, it still features a 42mm driver, and provides a frequency response of 5Hz-35,000Hz, a sensitivity of 102dB / mW, an impedance of 45 ohms, and accepts up to 1000mW of input power. With housing made of finest wood from the African Paduak tree same as the ATH-ESW9.


There has been some talk in Head-Fi circles that a fake ATH-ESW9 had invaded the local market here in Hong Kong, but checking out the sources quoted I have yet to find such copies emerge. It is doubtful that such fakes would be reproduced since the effort placed into making such woodies would mean fairly high prices, the type of wood used would need to imported at fairly high cost. I do hope that such fakes do not emerge!

ATH-ESW10JPN
￥60,900.（税抜 ￥58,000.)

Writing Instrument: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen.

The Lamy Safari fountain pen is fun and functional, the Safari is made of sturdy and colorful ABS plastic. Its unique design features a flexible brass wire clip and comfort molded grip section.It is very smooth and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Available in extra fine, fine, medium, or broad nib. It comes in many different colors - black, white, blue, yellow, red, charcoal, and lime. My own choice is white

I prefer the medium nib for writing. Very nice styling and the finger stock has been carefully designed to ensure that writing is a pleasure.

More on the Emgeton E3C Earphones.

I have received many requests on more information on the Emgeton E3C earphones. These earphones are made in the Czech Republic by Emgeton and are available on order on the internet via PayPal. Please however contact them to ascertain the postage costs to your location as the postage can be allot more then the earphone themselves.

They look very similar to the Philips SHE5910 in design and styling and in fact the concept of the earphones is the same as the the Philips. I do not know who first came out with the reversed driver earphone idea so will not and shall not comment on this aspect. I have both earphones so a comparisson between the two is straight forward. I will say that the Emgeton E3C's sound nothing at all like the Philips, the SHE5910's sound laid back, less articulate and less detailed when compared to the E3C which are lively, full of enegry and very musical

This time I have decided to adpot a review approach used by another Head-fi'er and friend - "ClieOS"

Reviewing gears:

Source: 4GB MP3/4 Player; 8GB 2.8"LCD TOUCH SCREEN MP3/4 VIDEO PLAYER; EPC-303 MP5 8GB 3.0 Inch TFT LCD Screen Player - Red / Black; Oregon Scientific Music Orbit & Station; Denon CDR-W1500 HDCD Recorder/Player.

Head Amps. & DAC: Little Dot MKI Portable Headphone Amp Amplifier; Cmoy headphone amplifier with Bass Boost Setting in a custom made exotic padauk and zebra wood case (opa2227 opamp); Xiang Sheng 708B Tube Headphone Pre Amplifier; Go Vibe mini USB Audio DAC (Burr-Brown PCM2702).

Reviewing CD and Tracks: Custom made by ripping songs to FLAC than normalized/burnt via Nero9.

CD Tracks: Esteban - Norwegian Wood; Everything But The Girl - I didn't know I was looking for love; The Corrs - Runaway; Acoustic Alchemy - Mr. Chow; The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony; Willie & Lobo - Amsterdam; Tim Weisberg - Party of One; Sleep Station - There She goes; Seattle Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Scherzo); Sim Riney - What was I to you; Rebecca Pidgeon - Spanish Harlem.

Rating: From one star (★, lowest rating) to five stars (★★★★★, highest rating), including half a star (☆). Criteria include [Packaging / Build Quality / Accessories / Isolation / Microphonics / Comfort / Soundstage / Sound Quality / Value] Note: The rating is based on comparison b/w the IEM listed below and not on absolute term. There might be better / worst IEM that are not listed in this review.

★★★★★-The best
★★★★---Really good
★★★-----Average
★★-------Just OK
★---------Not worth it


Earphones: E3C, Egmeton ( similar to Philips SHE5910)
Transducer: Single Balanced Armature
Spec: 32Ω | 10Hz~ 20kHz | 108dB/1 mW | Cord Style: 1.5m.
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated L style, med. build.
Eartips Used: Black as supplied (Spare pair given)
Packaging: ★★★★★
Build Quality: ★★★★★ (medium build)
Accessories: ★★★★☆ (everything you need is included)
Isolation: ★★★★
Microphonics: ★★★ (earbud style)
Comfort: ★★★ ( no memory cable)
Soundstage: ★★★☆
Sound Quality: ★★★★ (musical, good bass extension and treble sweet and detailed)
Value: ★★★★★ ( best sounding for its price/performance to price ratio is hard to beat)

Remarks: With sound quality of an entry class IEM, E3c does spectacularly good - comes with a lower-than-competitor’s price. Good value earphones, comes in a number of different colors.

Ashidavox Headphones Of Japan

Ashidavox ST-90

Established in 1942, Ashidavox started out producing domestic speakers. In 1959 they invented the stereo headphone and since then they have continued to produce high quality sound systems. Their brand is known all over the world by audiophiles and sound professionals. True retro styling in the simplest way. The St-90 available today stands as a testament to their original designs.


ST-90 Specifications:
Type :Dynamic Stereo
Impedance :8Ω each
Frequency Response:25-18,000Hz
Power Rating :Max.250mW
Sensitivity :112dB
Cord :2m Straight Cord
Plug :φ6.34 Stereo Plug
Net Weight:160g.Incl Cord & Plug

Below is a set of photos of the famous Ashidavox ST-31 which have been discontinued but still sought after today by head-fi'ers around the world.


Ashidavox Japan: http://www.ashida.co.jp/e-index.htmlST-31 Specifications:
Type :Dynamic Stereo
Impedance :8Ω each
Frequency Response:10-22,000Hz
Power Rating :Max.1,000mW
Sensitivity :96dB
Cord :3m Straight Cord
Plug :φ6.34 Stereo Plug
Net Weight:345g.Incl Cord & Plug

Custom Made Cmoy Portable Amplifier With Bass Boost In Hand Crafted Wooden Case.

The photos show a custom handmade Cmoy portable headphone amp with bass boost. It is built from scratch. It is enclosed in a beautiful case made of exotic padauk and zebra wood, and finished in glossy lacquer. the Cmoy amplifier itself features an alps potentiometer with built in power switch, an OPA2227 opamp, vishay caps, nichicon 470uf power cap, 1% metal film surface mount resistors, a TLE2426 rail splitter with noise reduction, and a new faceplate design that lets the led shine through from the back. it measures about 3x3x1.125 inches. flip the switch on the front for a powerful bass boost, or leave it off for natural flat frequency response.

Wooden Cans: A Chinese Jewel - Grandsun Red Sandalwood Headphones GS-800

Introducing a Chinese jewel, the Grandsun Red Sandalwood GS-800 headphones. These are quite rare outside of China. I dub them the Chinese Grado's, they are very analytical and give great dynamic impact but not in a sort of in your face kind of way. Typical burn in time requires over 100 hours. Although being detailed they are in no way harsh or unmusical.

Very smooth velvety sound, nicely made open back dynamic design. On a scale of 5 their rating meets a 4.8. They are particularly good in rendering jazz and acoustical type of instruments.

The GS-800's hold Patent application number: 200720118126.4. Made in China for the first time, it chooses to use a high quality red sandalwood from Paraguay polished to a unique sheen manually by skilled craftsmen; the ear-cap uses the high quality synthetic leather from South Korea with excellent penetrability and a skin-friendly (as per manufacturer's sales material). The pads are quite soft.

The Hi-Fi driver units adopts H neodymium magnet with broad lows, full mids, and clear crisp highs for full bodied tonal quality; the high quality ccaw copper clad aluminum coil makes the tonal quality even better. The sound staging is quite spectacular and wide. I found these headphones to be quite fast paced.

The manufacturer's specifications seem to be pretty generic and conservative for their products, in real life I think that these cans have exceeded these generic specifications quite a bit. My only gripe is that the ear pads should have been made a wee bit thicker to add even more comfort.

Specifications of the Grandsun GS-800 Red Sandalwood Headphones:

speaker diameter： φ40mm
Speaker Resistance： 32Ω ± 15%
Max.Input Power： 30mW
Frequency Response Range： 20Hz-20KHz
Cable Length： 2m
Sensrtevity： 106 ± 3db @ 1K Hz
Plug： 3.5mm gold-plated stereo plug (with Ф6.3mm adapter）
wire material： OFC
Cable color： black

Some Golden Oldies

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.- You Don't Have to Be a Star





Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers





I'd Really Love To See You Tonight-England Dan & John Ford Coley



Madonna - Crazy for you

Saturday Night Dinner Party at new Ruby Tuesday in the World Trade Center, Hong Kong.

Saturday Night 1st November, 2008 we had a dinner gathering of close friends in the new Ruby Tuesday Restaurant of the World Trade Center (WTC) in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Of course our favorite chef Jacky was there to serve up the goodies. Below are some photos:-

Above: L to R - Momoko, Steve, Queenie & Alex

Above: L to R - Steve, Queenie & Alex

Above: A big gathering of friends.

Above: Another large group photo with chef Jacky sitting opposite Steve.