Pro-Ject Audio Systems' new distributor is CMY Audio & Visual

Pro-Ject Audio Systems products have been available in Malaysia since the mid-1990s, just a few years after the Austrian hi-fi manufacturing company was founded by Heinz Lichtenegger, the current CEO, in 1991. The company entered the scene during the initial digital onslaught, but Lichtenegger stuck to his guns with vinyl, reasoning that it was the best way to get affordable and well-designed audio playback gear to music lovers.

That Pro-Ject has thrived and survived is testimony to his vision - vinyl has endured, and Pro-Ject is probably the biggest seller of turntables in the globe, despite the growing number of competitors. Along the way, the company, which makes its products in the Czech Republic to keep the prices very competitive, has also spread it wings into the digital realm with great success.

In Malaysia, Pro-Ject line has almost always had a presence, going through at least three distributors since the 1990s; the past few years, though, has been relatively profile for the name here. This is about to change, with the recent appointment of CMY Audio & Visual, which has been in the hi-fi business for almost as long as Pro-Ject, as its distributor. CMY held an official launch at its main mega-showroom at Sungei Wang Plaza in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, March 12, and apart from dinner, organised a performance by singer Kate Chan and pianist Lim Lee Peng, who are with local audiophile label Pop Pop Factory.

Pro-Ject's International Export & Sales Agent Franz J. Votruba was present to talk about the company's philosophy and vision, giving us a peek into the company's commitment to both vinyl and digital audio.

We asked CMY boss John Yew why he picked the line, and his reply was: "Because they have a wide range of products, analogue and digital, at very affordable prices."

Well, Pro-Ject fans will be hoping the brand rides high again in Malaysia, as CMY has an extensive distribution network and is also selling online.

Here are some photographs from the event:



SWEET TUNES: Singer Kate Chan enthralled with some classic songs.



A TOUCH OF JAZZ: Pianist Lim Lee Peng tickled the ivories with great dexterity.



THANK YOU: CMY boss John Yew expresses his appreciation to supporters.



ALL THINGS PRO-JECT: The extensive range gets its own space in the CMY showroom in Sungei Wang Plaza.



FLYING THE AUDIOPHILE FLAG HIGH: Pop Pop Factory founder Leslie Loh (centre) updates the audience on the label's efforts.




THE VINYL TRADITION: Pro-Ject's Franz J. Votruba expounds on the company's philosophy and the future.




SING ME A SONG: Chan delivers a classic, with Lim accompanying on electric piano.



AUDIOPHILES ALL: A relaxed audience getting ready to be entertained.


RAPT: Pianist Lim keeps the riffs flowing.


A TURNTABLE OR TWO: A small part of Pro-Ject's wide range of turntables.