High End 2015
High End 2015: End of Line and Best In Show
The thing about Peat and Scotch There was a moment I thought I might be in serious trouble. One moment, in particular. One wrong step, and I’d be in it for sure. But I couldn’t […]
High End 2015
High End 2015
High End 2015: Wrapping the Un-Wrappable
An entire month passed since we got back from Munich and our combined efforts produced more than 50 extended show reports, many of which are closer to mini-reviews than a mere system and price tags list […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Magico
Magico did not bring the highly expected M-Project in Munich’s High End 2015 show but maybe it was too much to ask, after all they did brought the Ultimate III last year, so instead, we […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Questyle
“Current Mode Amplification” is a magical phrase that brings out the inner meerkat from the headphone enthusiast crowd, and will cause spontaneous synchronized head-swiveling. Only a couple of companies are pursuing this interesting approach to amplification […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Rosso Fiorentino, Thrax, North Star and Bergmann
When you think of Rosso Fiorentino speakers concepts like pricey, great sound and Italian artisanry come in mind. Now take the pricey part out of the equation but keep the artisan finish and melodic sound. […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: AudioQuest
Though there are quite a few pretenders, there are few true giants in high-end audio today. AudioQuest is one of those giants. There are, I think, two knee-jerk reactions that the “typical audiophile” will have […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Lyra
Weeks before the show I found myself chatting with Jonathan Carr, designer among other things of Lyra, a range of bespoke moving coil cartridges and we promised to discuss things when finally face to face […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Zellaton
There is something about historic brands, they have a special charm which I find irresistible. We have witnessed the re-birth of famous 19th century maisons in watchmaking and something similar happened with a few legends […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Kyron Audio
Despite having read several glowing reviews about Kyron’s dipole speaker systems this was the first time I had the chance to spend some time listening to them. The Australian firm brought in Munich their smaller […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Thöress and Sperling
Some would say that Reinhard Thöress of Thöress Audio makes high-end audio like it’s supposed to be made. Simple. Pure. Direct. Tubed. I’ve been a fan for years — I’ve owned his phono preamp for several […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Esoteric Audio Research
Winding up Tim de Paravicini isn’t difficult — just tell him he’s wrong. Doesn’t matter about what, the Engineer of Fine Audio is pretty much ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone over anything. I’m having […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: TAD Labs
TAD Labs brought a show-stopper room, featuring their new Compact Evolution One (CE-1) loudspeakers. This system was, in a word, dominating. The speakers, shown here in an olive finish, are elegant and quite robust — but […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Pendulumic
It happens periodically, where there will be this groundswell of resentment over pricing in high-end audio. As if the wallet of any individual were what was driving the price of any particular product. Instead of […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: CH Precision, Vivid Audio, TechDAS
Some companies do not simply “show up” at Munich High End, they try to dominate the show. Some, like CH Precision, present more than one amazing room — they presented their line of electronics with Stenheim, Wilson Benesch […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Albedo, Audia Flight
This was one of the most interesting rooms of this year’s Munich show and had a strong Italian flavor with speakers from Albedo, electronics from Audia Flight and Music Tools racks. Albedo is not the […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Chord Electronics Introduces Dave
Munich saw the introduction of our Hallowed and Illustrious Computer Overlords. All hail. Oh, and his name is Dave. Hi, Dave! I’ll admit to a moment of inappropriate laughter (yes, that was me) when the […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Silbatone, Schröder, Schick and Western Electric
I am still unsure what to make of the Silbatone room. I’m pretty sure there’s a company in there, attempting to sell things, but you kind of don’t get the feeling that this is one […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: ENIGMAcoustics
ENIGMAcoustics is a relatively new company and one clearly here to stay; you can tell because they chose to propose new things and not follow the easy “me too” way. Last year in Munich, I stumbled […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Blumenhofer, Einstein, TechDAS
Pairing a huge 16” woofer with a compression tweeter usually leaves a gap in the crucial mid frequencies but Blumenhofer Acoustics managed to get things right. The Genuin FS1 mk2 pairs the woofer with a […]
High End 2015
High End 2015: Vitus Audio
I’ve been using some Vitus Audio Reference electronics in my reference system for some time now, mainly on the recommendation of a friend and long-time dealer, Doug White at The Voice That Is. I’ve been […]