VPI in Singapore with AV Intelligence

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of visiting Singapore for the very first time. Our partners at AV Intelligence hosted me for three days packed with training, listening sessions, and community events. It was an inspiring experience to connect directly with the passionate music lovers, audiophiles, and professionals that make Singapore such a vibrant hub for high-end audio.

One of the highlights of my trip was the fantastic training session with the AV Intelligence team. Led by Owner Andy Kenard, the group’s dedication and enthusiasm were clear from the start. I was especially impressed by Andy’s right-hand man, Jeremy, a solid turntable technician with the kind of passion every manufacturer hopes to see in the field. His attention to detail and genuine love for music ensures that VPI customers in Singapore are in excellent hands.

We also hosted a series of presentations and demonstrations, where I spoke about VPI’s technology, engineering philosophy, and our goals for the future—especially the development of the Forever Series. To make these sessions more personal, I shared music directly from my own record collection, using albums I’ve relied on for both testing and enjoyment over the years.

• We began with the Bob and Ray Stereo Spectacular, a classic and quirky test record that is as entertaining as it is useful for system evaluation.

• From there, we moved to an industry staple, Take Five. This track holds special meaning for me, as it was the record I used when first introducing my girlfriend—now my wife, Jane—into the world of high-end audio.

• Next was a very personal surprise: a Peter, Paul and Mary record that had once belonged to my mom, Sheila Weisfeld, when she was a teenager. Sharing this album reminded me how powerful it is that my children can now listen to the same music on the same record their grandmother enjoyed decades ago. Their favorite track, of course, is If I Had a Hammer.

• We continued with Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens, one of my personal favorites growing up, especially because it was an album I often listened to with my dad, Harry.

• To wrap up, we shifted gears and closed with Linkin Park's Meteora album, bringing a modern edge to the session and showing just how versatile a great system can be.

Together, we showcased the full VPI lineup, including two standout systems that truly captured the audience’s attention:

• VPI Signature 21 paired with Moon by Simaudio electronics and Silent Pound loudspeakers

• VPI Avenger Reference paired with Estelon loudspeakers and Moon by Simaudio electronics

The energy and excitement from visitors, customers, and community members reinforced what makes this industry so rewarding—seeing people light up as music comes alive through a carefully designed system.

This trip also marked an important milestone: it helped set the stage for the Singapore launch of our new Forever Series, beginning with the Model One turntable. Sharing this next step in VPI’s journey with such an enthusiastic audience was an honor, and it reminded me of the truly global reach of our music-loving family.

A big thank you to Andy, Jeremy, and the entire AV Intelligence team for their hospitality and professionalism. Singapore left a lasting impression, and I look forward to returning soon!