A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE TAS SHANGHAI TOP AUDIO SHOW 2025 FROM HiFi PiG’S GYULA
HiFi PiG’s Asia correspondent, Gyula Weeber, heads to the TAS Shanghai Top Audio Show 2025, the 32nd edition of the show which was previously known as the SIAV HiFi Show.
The TAS Shanghai Top Audio Show is one of our partner shows in Asia and Gyula was thrilled to be attending for the first time. Here’s Gyula’s first report from this stunning HiFi Show.
TAS SHANGHAI TOP AUDIO SHOW 2025 REPORT PART 1
I was honoured to be invited to the 2025 Shanghai Top Audio Show—my first visit to this electrifying metropolis, as well as HiFi PiG’s inaugural coverage of the event. As someone who lives in Asia, I thought I was reasonably prepared for the practicalities of life in China. I was not.
Upon arrival, my roaming went haywire—a gentle reminder that without mobile internet in China, even the simplest tasks morph into borderline impossible missions. No Google Maps, no mobile payments, and even my note-taking app began to struggle with sync issues. VPNs only did so much. Fortunately, the helpful staff at the airport’s local help desk quickly resolved my issues.
A 40-minute metro ride later, I was already people-watching—and headphone-watching. Every single passenger was wired in or Bluetooth-connected, eyes on screens, lost in a universe of music and drama. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A GRAND LOCATION
The show took place at the elegant Oriental Riverside Hotel, nestled beside Shanghai’s iconic TV tower—a dramatic and striking venue for what is widely considered China’s premier audio exhibition. The organisers greeted us with a thoughtfully curated welcome package, which included a beautifully produced album featuring carefully selected tracks. In an age where analogue playback is enjoying a major revival, it was a refined touch that immediately made me feel at the right place.
A WELL-ORCHESTRATED EXPERIENCE
The venue couldn’t have been a better choice. Over 200 exhibitors filled 120 rooms, most of them converted into immersive listening spaces where visitors could explore, hear, and talk HiFi in detail. Several rooms were dedicated to home cinema systems, and this year saw a noticeable rise in brands aimed at the gaming and younger market segments.
The clear layout and flow of the show prevented any overcrowding or bottlenecks, a common issue at busy events such as this one. The atmosphere remained calm, focused, and music-centric—a true listening environment.
THE TAS TOP AUDIO SHOW SHANGHAI 2025 OPENING CEREMONY
At the show’s official opening, Mr. Marcus Yang, the chief organiser, addressed the audience and spoke enthusiastically about the show’s evolving mission. This year, he noted, there was a concerted effort to bring in more products tailored toward console and PC gamers—a nod toward engaging a younger, more diverse generation of listeners.
Later, I had the pleasure of chatting briefly with Marcus. He highlighted the growing importance of international connections and how proud the team was to have welcomed so many global brands and respected figures from across the HiFi industry.
I was fortunate to meet several of them, including Yohei Ebine from Esoteric and Teac—two brands I’ve followed with great admiration for years. We had an enjoyable conversation about the importance of user-friendly innovation in high-end audio. Then there was Oliver John from T+A, a company that has evolved remarkably in recent years, both in terms of product development and global visibility.
I also spent time with David Ellington of Wilson Audio, one of the industry’s most iconic loudspeaker manufacturers. A true enthusiast at heart, David shared details about the system he listens to at home and joked about how we’re all “ruining the lives of people around us” by infecting them with the ability to hear the difference that comes with proper sound. Once that spark catches, there’s no going back.
These weren’t just handshakes and business cards—they were meaningful, personal conversations with people who genuinely live and breathe HiFi. Interactions like these added a warm, human dimension to the event and reminded me why this industry is as much about passion as it is about technology.
YELLOW RIVER HALL – JBL: ASIA LAUNCH OF THE SUMMIT SERIES
After the official photos of the opening ceremony, I found myself in a room – what am I saying? — an auditorium filled with the Harman group’s finest selection: JBL’s refreshed home audio lineup, Mark Levinson and Arcam electronics, and the undisputed highlight—the debut of the JBL Summit series. David Tovissi, Vice President of Luxury Audio, led the gathered crowd through a vivid history of the brand’s 80-year journey. His presentation traced JBL’s lineage from Project 1—the legendary Hartsfield—through the Everest series and the revered K2 model of 1991, illustrating how each has pushed the boundaries of loudspeaker design.
With the Summit series, first seen at High End Munich 2025, JBL marks thirty years since the last “ultimate” launch, investing in ambitious R&D that began in 2019. As Tovissi introduced the trio of new Summit models, he highlighted innovative driver and cabinet technologies unique to this generation. The session occasionally felt like internal training due to the abundance of JBL shirts in the room, but regardless of the setting, the exceptional sound quality of the Summit speakers commanded attention, demonstrating that JBL’s latest flagship collection is a defining achievement.
REVEL, ARCAM, JBL
Room 3A was divided into two sections: one for a JBL Synthesis movie setup and one for Revel speakers.
FOCAL NAIM
I quite literally stumbled into the Focal Naim room—thanks to a mischievous red carpet that did its best to make every step an adventure. In Chinese culture, red and gold are symbols of luck and prosperity, but covering the entire floor in a bright red carpet with gold and warm yellow lighting was a little too auspicious, especially for anyone trying to take a good photo without a red wash. The setup options were impressive, ranging from the small Uniti Star with Kanta N1 to the massive Grand Utopia with Statement amplification—something for every room size and ambition. As I made my stumbling entrance, Adele’s “Hello” played, followed by Bonamassa’s “High Water Everywhere”, with each guitar pick resonating throughout the room. A hidden easter egg in the room featured a dragon tattooed red version of the Diva Utopia, attempting to draw attention to itself while blending into the carpet.
EGGLESTON, MEITNER, VTL
EgglestonWorks has always piqued my interest, but I’ve rarely had the chance to really listen—until now. In their own dedicated room, paired with top-tier gear like the emmlabs MTRS stereo amp, DA2i DAC, Meitner preamp, VTL TP6.5 II phono stage, Basis Bravo turntable, and finishing touches from Signal Projects and Thrixar, the flagship Andra 5 delivered exactly what I expected: power, detail, and effortless scale. But to my surprise, it was the smaller Oso and Emma Evo that truly charmed me—musical, well-balanced and perfectly suited to more modest listening spaces.
MAGICO, CH PRECISION, SIMAUDIO
Room 3E was a space of exuberance, where ethereal price tags met ultra-high-end performance. The main system paired Magico M7 speakers with CH Precision’s 10 Series electronics, including the D10 reference transport, which earned a few admiring glances thanks to its theatrical disc tray. The sound? The sound was as refined and expressive as expected—open, detailed, and clearly intended for those seeking the last few tenths of a percent. Elsewhere in the room, Dan D’Agostino, Simaudio, a Reed turntable, and Raidho speakers were also on display, making the space a curated collection of flagship opulence.
WILSON AUDIO, DCS, CONSTELLATION
Room 3F continued the trajectory of no-compromise high-end with a system as commanding sonically as it was visually. At its heart were the Wilson Audio Alexx V loudspeakers, driven with authority by Constellation’s Statement Power amplifier, a jaw-dropping monster of a statement delivering 1600W into 8 ohms, a figure that feels borderline absurd… in the best possible way. Up front, the Revelation 2 preamp and dCS Vivaldi digital stack represented the pinnacle of digital front ends.
While I was there, Dave Ellington from Wilson Audio shared one of the room’s key philosophies: time alignment. Wilson speakers, including the Alexx V, allow precise physical driver adjustments to suit the listener’s space—even when that space isn’t cathedral-sized. Dave also dropped a teaser about the upcoming Sasha V, designed specifically with smaller rooms in mind.
The sound here was among my personal favourites—effortlessly dynamic, tonally rich, and beautifully controlled.
CAMBRIDGE, HARBETH
Room 3G brought things gently back down to earth with a refreshingly British pairing: Harbeth and Cambridge (Audio), both making a welcome appearance with updated branding and a touch of modern flair. The system featured the Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 speakers, driven by Cambridge’s Edge W power amp, Edge NQ streamer/preamp, CXC CD transport, and the Alva turntable—a well-rounded front end with wide format appeal. Two JL Audio Fathom subwoofers were discreetly working to beef up the low end without interfering with the Harbeths’ natural character. This was an honest, musical, and modestly presented room that felt focused on real listeners in real rooms—and all the better for it.
Cambridge also made clever use of hallway real estate with a relaxed desktop demo, pairing their MX series components with Amphion speakers in a setup that neatly mimicked a stylish home workstation. On quiet display behind the stand were the Cambridge Edge S speakers, a limited-edition model of just 68 pieces worldwide, which are now out of production. Their sculpted design reminded me of Vivid Audio, and I was genuinely intrigued. Sadly, they weren’t playing, as I would have loved the chance to hear them.
CAYIN
Cayin is already a household name across much of Asia, but this was my first time seeing their refreshed, modernised design language. They introduced the new A-88T MK3 integrated amplifier, while the main system featured EgglestonWorks speakers driven by Cayin’s U-120D power amplifier and U-9LS preamplifier. As I understand, these particular models aren’t targeted at global markets, but both visually and sonically, they made a strong impression.
GENELEC, AURALIC
Room 3I took a decidedly modern and youthful turn, showcasing a sleek and minimalistic setup built around Genelec active monitors and Aurender’s S1 series (Vega, Aries, and matching PSU). Genelec has steadily earned a loyal following among younger audiophiles, and it’s easy to see why—this demo proved that top-tier sound doesn’t require a triple rack of electronics or wardrobe-sized speakers. The 8361A, paired with Genelec’s Adaptive Woofer System, delivered detail, punch, and clarity in a package that barely took up floor space. With a well-curated playlist streaming from Aurender, even casual wanderers found themselves tapping along
ESOTERIC, TEAC, GOLDNOTE
If the Focal Naim room was a riot of auspicious red, just across the hall the Esoteric–Gold Note–Teac collaboration felt more like entering an audiophile’s sanctuary—where Italian elegance and Japanese precision united for true indulgence. The Gold Note X2 speakers, with side panels made of gold paper, had just the right amount of luxurious auspiciousness. Esoteric provided the electronics, showcasing the brand-new Grandioso N1T network streamer. Off to the side, Teac invited headphone enthusiasts to try their popular headphone amplification and shoebox-sized gear, catering to both seasoned listeners and curious newcomers. The whole scene radiated an atmosphere best described as understated luxury—refined, welcoming, and built for savouring music at its best.
AUDIOQUEST, AVALON
Room 312 was primarily a showcase for AudioQuest cables and their Niagara power conditioning lineup, but what piqued my interest was the unexpectedly confusing setup: a lone Wiim Amp driving a pair of Avalon speakers. Certainly an unusual combination, but the goal was to demonstrate the effects of clean power.
PEAK CONSULT, OCTAVE, LECTOR
This room offered an elegant, well-thought-out, and beautifully voiced system built around the Peak Consult Sonora speakers, driven by an Octave V70 Class A integrated amplifier and a Lector CDP 707 CD player with external PSU. It was a setup that focused on the essentials done right—no fuss, no unnecessary complications or gimmicks. Pure, engaging, and effortlessly enjoyable music that reminded visitors that less is often more.
RAPHAELITE
Rafaelite is a tube specialist with a strong following in China, known for its wide selection of audio gear that embraces classic circuit architecture and a distinctly retro aesthetic. This was one of those uniquely characterful rooms that you can only experience in China right now—a celebration of glowing valves, vintage styling, and a proudly traditional approach to sound. It stood out for its unapologetic identity.
SWAN
Swan, one of China’s largest audio equipment manufacturers with a vast and varied product portfolio, showcased several systems across two adjacent rooms. In one, they paired their Q200 preamplifier and HF2380D 400W power amplifier with the Bach and Mythic speaker lines, while next door, they focused on their active offerings, including the Trident F and another sleek model that bore more than a passing resemblance to Monitor Audio’s Hyphn. It was a rare chance to see the brand’s offering in one place, as Swan remains relatively hard to encounter outside of China. While the sound was decent, it felt like more attention could have been given to room acoustics and setup—there was potential on display, but it couldn’t fully shine.
MYMEI
MYMEI is a rising local brand focused squarely on digital audio, and their lineup at the show—the D35 streamer, DMP70 all-in-one, and DMP35 DAC and headphone amp—left a strong impression. With clean, purposeful design and a clear focus on functionality, these devices tick a lot of the right boxes: high-res support up to DSD1024, touchscreen interfaces, and app control across Apple, Android, and Windows platforms. While the language barrier made it tricky to catch much of the technical detail, their intent was loud and clear. Much like Wiim and Eversolo, MYMEI joins a growing list of Chinese brands that just get what modern listeners want—versatile, great-sounding gear that fits beautifully into real-world living spaces. Once they land on the international market, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them making waves.
MULLARD
Mullard built an intriguing system around their own MA300D integrated amplifier, a Class A+D design that pumps out 200 W and can bridge with another unit when more power is required. The digital source is from Mymei, and it was paired with German Physiks Carbon Mk IV speakers, which are known for their distinctive omnidirectional design. The setup produced a spacious, room-filling sound with tight control and surprising refinement.
MAGNETAR, PERLISTEN
Two great brands combined their expertise to create one of the best-sounding home cinema rooms at the show, proving that with the right setup, a true Atmos experience doesn’t require a massive space.
LAIV
LAiV (a play on the pronunciation of “life” [lʌɪf]) is a rising brand that appears to be gaining quiet momentum—you start noticing more reviews, more mentions, and suddenly there’s a buzz. And after visiting their room, it’s clear why. LAiV created a truly impressive system based on their Harmony series to demonstrate that they are not just another boutique brand, but rather serious.
The setup featured Magnepan speakers, a rare sight at shows for good reason—they’re notoriously hard to drive. But LAiV’s GaNM monoblock amplifiers, delivering 200W into 8 ohms, handled them with real authority. The result? A soundstage full of detail, body, and space—so captivating, I completely forgot to take notes. I just sat there and listened.
I also appreciated the little things. LAiV had skeletonised components on display, offering a rare glimpse into their internal design—an elegant way to spotlight the work of their engineering team and a gesture of transparency that added real credibility. Their neatly engraved “L” and “R” markers on the monoblocks were a simple but clever touch—helpful and tasteful. And then there was the actual system: an ultra-compact Harmony DAC, headphone preamp, and even a standalone DDC, making for a fully separate setup that somehow occupied less space than a single power amplifier in some of the more… space-hungry equipment upstairs. A quiet reminder that great engineering can be elegant and efficient, and that it does not have to take the form of high-gloss monoliths that require forklift delivery. This was one of the most impressive rooms at the show. LAiV is definitely a brand to watch.
DOOPOO DIGITAL, GOLDENSOUND
They showcased a headphone-focused digital all-in-one, the DMP-A1 and the X300 media player equipped with all the modern format at a smaller then usual formfactor.
ENTREQ, PRIMALUNA, FRANCO SERBLIN
This room featured the elegant Franco Serblin Accordo loudspeakers driven by a PrimaLuna integrated amplifier, with the entire system supported and complemented by a comprehensive array of Entreq accessories. Multiple Entreq grounding solutions and system tweaks were placed throughout the room, highlighting their applications for noise reduction and optimisation in a high-fidelity environment.
ISOACOUSTICS, FRANCO SERBLIN, JEFF ROWLAND
IsoAcoustics once again demonstrated the effectiveness of their popular Gaia isolation feet in a room that felt familiar to many show-goers, using two pairs of Franco Serblin Accordo Essence speakers: one fitted with Gaia, the other without. Driven by Jeff Rowland electronics, the setup aimed to highlight the audible impact of resonance control when everything else remains the same. It’s a straightforward yet compelling demo—I got mine after a similar introduction, and clearly, I wasn’t the only one who walked away convinced.
SOULNOTE, AMPHION
The Soulnote 3 Series—featuring the A-2 integrated amplifier, D-3 DAC, and X-3 clock generator—was on display, fronted by a Lumin network transport. Paired with the compact yet capable Amphion Argon 1 bookshelf speakers, the setup served as a reminder that with the right electronics, even small speakers can deliver big performance.
LUMIN, HARBETH
Another small, room-friendly setup featured Harbeth NLE-1 active speakers paired with a Lumin digital source, supported by a JL Audio subwoofer. The result was a well-balanced, musical system—compact, refined, and refreshingly simple to live with.
FOCAL, DYNAUDIO
This room focused on Focal and Dynaudio’s pro audio lineup.
Stay tuned for Gyula’s TAS Shanghai Top Audio Show 2025 Report Part 2, coming soon!
Gyula Weeber
