Thanks to AbsoluteSounds (Naim Dealer) Singapore

Posted by: Andrew Randle on 16 June 2001

Big thanks to AbsoluteSounds Singapore, the Naim dealer and distributor for Singapore.

During my business trip this week to the isle, I visited AbsoluteSounds.

The great thing was that even though they knew I was from England, and not in a position to buy from them, they invited me to listen to their active 500/NBLs with LP12/Aro/Armageddon/Transfiguration.

A brief listen to a Wadia/Classe/Genesis system was also included.

Top people.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 16 June 2001 by Steve Toy
A good bit of PR on their part, wasn't it?!
It resulted in the above posting on an international forum. THey probably read the Forum themselves from time to time. Did you introduce yourself?
Sorry to sound so cynical - I'm sure it was purely altruistic on their part. wink
Posted on: 16 June 2001 by Paul Stephenson
Its simpler than that! its what they do. They love playing music to people its what turns them on.
The way they run the business was formulated long before this forum was ever thought about or even possible.
Posted on: 17 June 2001 by Andrew Randle
Steven,

What percentage of Naim enthusiasts post on this forum?

During the demo I chose the album Gaucho thinking I was only going to hear a couple of tracks... 40 mins later... wink

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 17 June 2001 by Gromit
Don't be cynical about their intentions. I have spent many wonderful afternoons just hanging around the shop and not buy anything. They have even lent me Naim CDs to try out at home before buying them. I know that is done for equipment but CDs??

The manager, Vik, recently spent an afternoon in my house alone setting up and tweaking my SBL, when I was not even in the house! Excellent!

Posted on: 17 June 2001 by Steve Toy
I am sorry for my above cynicism, they do sound genuinely brilliant. I know the feeling. I spend hours setting up Naim systems at Acoustica Stafford and listening to music - just for the fun of it! If a customer comes in for a dem the proprietor, John, and I just love it. It is always a refreshing change to meet genuine music enthusiasts appreciating Naim - and other stuff, as opposed to the usual home-cinema people who just want invisible speakers, 'cos that's the current trend - and where the money is to be made.
I do, however object to personal insults and abuse. For future reference I simply play the role of Devil's Advocate in order to extract more information on a promising topic. Yes, I do genuinely believe in altruism. roll eyes
Posted on: 18 June 2001 by Dev B
quote:
Perhaps dealers like these are too rare, but you are a sad, cynical wanker.

Hock,

Your use of the expletive does you a disservice.
If your opinion is so strong, why not take it off-line?

Dev.

Posted on: 18 June 2001 by Rico
sad.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Posted on: 18 June 2001 by Al Fred
I can't help but to post. Vik was Absolute's customer to begin with. He joined them just a few month's ago. I knew this guy a long time ago. He's more than just a Naim enthusiast to be able to give up his former job and to take up his present position @ Absolute. My commendations to you Vik.

To get the record straight, those guys @ Absolute have taken a few of my friends (about 8 of us)and I to listen to no less than 5 very,very,very hi-end systems knowing damn bloody well than we can't afford to buy them. Systems costing as high as US$500,000.00 Go to their website www.absolutesound.com.sg to see the systems I'm referring here.

Salutations to you guys @ Absolute, Carry on the good work.

Al. smile

Posted on: 18 June 2001 by Andrew Randle
Who was the woman there? She was the one who gave me the demo. There's an old guy there with silver hair, he didn't speak much english but tried his best. smile

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 18 June 2001 by Gromit
I think she is Lay Peng. She is the wife of the owner, Ben. Wonderful lady. One of her masterstrokes was hiring Vik. And giving me a great price on Naim equipment.
Posted on: 20 June 2001 by Philip Pang
Andrew

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Active 500s on NBLs weren't quite run in when I heard them a fortnight ago, but you could catch glimpses of their sonic prowess from time to time : the pace was really something to listen and tap to.

The lady who saw to you was Lye Ping (that's the correct spelling, and we call her LP for short), whose primary role as I understand it was to see to the accounts in Absolute, but she has over the years sort of evolved into a "general showroom manager of sorts", and although doesn't look it, is the only true female Naim enthusiast I know. She's just pretty quiet about it, that's all... but that's until you speak with her and you find out pleasantly and surprisingly that she definitely knows more about Naims than some of us... Distant rumour has it that she quietly owns a pair of DBLs... hah! cool

By the way, she definitely is NOT Ben's wife...

The silver-haired old man you met was Ben's uncle, certainly not father, least that's what I've been told.

It is true that Absolute Sound treats its customers as personal friends, and Ben in particular is more of a music lover than a businessman, when he speaks with his Naim customers, although I must quickly add he's actually rather shrewd in business acumen and foresight... He is a true Naim devotee, and a really nice chap who knows his stuff; pity you didn't get to meet him. His nonchalant demeanour and gentle smile however will often get the better of you when you talk prices with him...But he and LP have helped me and other Naim enthusiasts with getting our dream systems, for which I am particularly grateful.

Vik : I am glad he's come on board to lend Absolute a helping hand : he's another Naim fanatic.

Good listening; the music's still groovin'.


Philip

naimniac for life

[This message was edited by Philip Pang on WEDNESDAY 20 June 2001 at 13:37.]

[This message was edited by Philip Pang on WEDNESDAY 20 June 2001 at 13:39.]