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Several HIFICRITIC characters were at Munich including Paul Messenger and Malcolm Steward, and quite a few other UK press including Steve Harris ex editor of Hi Fi News, and Ken Kessler. I got away relatively lightly delivering a technical presentation in the lecture theatre on the subject: ‘Class D Amplifiers, Are They High Fidelity?’ I will post this PowerPoint on the HIFICRITIC website soon. I took a dozen copies of HIFCRITIC with me and the audience descended like vultures, hoovering up copies at a special 10 Euro show rate, I wish I had taken more.
Quoting the show organiser ;
“I was happy to see many of you again at the HIGH END and to meet some of you for the first time. Clearly, the most important factor for successful marketing at fairs is always the satisfaction of our exhibitors which depends from their business contacts during the show and their talks to the targeting visitors in general. However the number of visitors is also of interest. We all know there are shows with more visitors than come to the HIGH END, but most of those visitors are not interested in our high end consumer products.
Show Director Branko Glisovich, centre left, with the High End Society Team, speaking at the Press Launch
For the first time in over ten years, we were forced to bring the fair forward one week, so this time it was not held over the public holiday long weekend. On top of that, after a long period of poor and changeable weather, the sun shone all day on Saturday and Sunday, so we were afraid visitors would stay away. However, the opposite was the case: believe it or not, the number of visitors rose by 7.7% to 13,895 this year (without including media/press people and exhibitor staff).”
Opening day crush
Munich High End was a busy and vibrant event, with much live music on the public days.
Some potential visitors enjoyed the sunshine in the city’s English Garden Park, surfing on the Isar,
fed glacial melt straight from the Bavarian Alps.
Others strolled around the picturesque city centre.
Two UK companies chose to present new products at substantial press launches, Cambridge Audio and Naim.
Cambridge Audio introduced their new top of range pre amplifier 840E and 840W power amplifier, explaining a number of circuit and technology innovations.
Clearly a lot of effort had gone into the design and build, and the company hopes to set a high standard in this category.
Rather than use ‘common’ ( i.e. IC ) op-amps for the critical low level gain stages of the 840E (and 840W), Cambridge Audio instead decided to design its own audiophile amplifier modules. The subject of a separate research and development project, these unique modules have been designed with single minded dedication to produce the very best audio performance possible. Two types exist, the TPA amplifier and TPB buffer module fully optimised for their respective roles.
The Azur 840E makes room for eight inputs, two of which have both fully balanced (XLR) and unbalanced connections.
All Cambridge Audio remotes feature iPod™ Command – which means that basic iPod controls such as volume and track select can be controlled from the comfort of the user’s sofa. This requires the use of an Apple or other universal dock. 
The 840W is a high-end power amplifier. The second generation Class XD is now complemented by a new output stage carefully adjusted to integrate with this novel technology, revised balanced inputs for lower distortion and noise. 200W @ 8 Ohms promises fine load driving ability or, 500W bridged mono can be harnessed for even ‘difficult’ high-end speakers. Estimated pricing is £1,750 the pair so they are aiming high with this combination.
Naim arrived in force and had three of their team cover the many and particular virtues of their flagship server called the HDX , clearly intended to be rather more than just another computerised media player in a box.
We are on target to review this thoughtful package soon. It seems to be more than a music store/server and has a healthy leavening of audio enthusiast features. From one viewpoint it is a quality one box CD player, if you like, evolutionary of the CDX. Like the CDX, it may have upgrade power supplies fitted, e.g. the XPS.
That HDX disc drawer does more than allow CD loading: as the disc plays it is in fact being recorded to the internal hard drive from which it is replayed, with very high levels of error correction and ultra low jitter, in theory better than the ‘straight through’ CDX itself.
Once on the drive your CD joins the other material stored there, which may be imported from a number of sources. System connected, internet linked, it automatically accesses a special library and disc archive which is itself constantly improving and updated, where a new comprehensive level of music and track information, particularly for classical material, becomes transparent to the user and appears in a larger than usual colour display.
Stuff on the drive is ideally archived to other system linked drives while material on those drives, including your iPods, phones and computers, may be readily used by the HDX .
HDX is intended to be an audiophile stereo replay unit to take pride of place in your audio system, while at the same time, aiming to deliver all the connectivity and functionality now demanded from home audio.
The Naim ‘Zeppelin’
Naim showed their full line while entertaining visitors by flying a massive model airship around the main hall.
Re:sound L speaker series
Once pre eminent in tape recorders and now producing a mixed line of domestic audio products, Revox revealed what were for me a bizarre range of leather and fur covered loudspeakers, showcased with matching furniture. I quote :
‘With the Re:sound L speaker series, Revox are following new and innovative paths for acoustics and design. For the first time the skills of a high quality audio company and a furniture/leather specialist – Team by Wellis of Switzerland – have come together to develop well sounding and attractive looking “furniture”. The “Ultimate listening experience” is absolutely guaranteed with the Revox Re:sound L series. Our partner “Team by Wellis” only uses leather from young Swiss bulls.’
I didn’t feel I could include photos of the matching chairs and other items.
Re:sound L speaker with hide covering from Swiss bulls
Adam
This company was generally showing off a huge home theater system played at near ear burning levels. At my request they later set up the mighty Olympus stereo system described in the Manchester show report, here set to monopole operation due to difficult show conditions. This sophisticated, multi variable approach to optimizing audio replay could have sounded like anything at all, but in fact was remarkably natural and civilised, showing very powerful deep bass, but with control and definition, while the mid and treble was transparent, very dynamic and nicely balanced - an encouraging result.
The Adam Olympus Bi-Directional Active Sound System
Von Schweikert Audio
Albert von Schweikert and his latest VR5SE anniversary edition
Albert will have to forgive me for noting that his larger and deep looking two box speaker, with a semi pyramidal upper enclosure form, were just a bit ‘Watt Puppy’ like. He explained that an earlier more agricultural looking version had been in his armory since 1976, long predating the first Wilson two-box design. It is likely that an early Sequerra Metronome was a predecessor pyramid in any case.
Discussing design methods he explained that many commercial recordings were imprinted with the sound of the producer and that he records his own material and compares the loudspeaker quality with matching commissioned live music performances, to help voice his loudspeakers.
That deeply dimensioned speaker sounded just fine on my demo disc, and I sampled the effect of the adjustable tweeter units located on the back panel which are fed the difference signal, to enhance space and air at the back of the sound field. Sounds interesting, though I wonder about the effect of the extra cabling between the channels to allow extraction of this difference signal. We aim to review this design later this year.
Finite Elemente
This company is well known for their high quality furniture grade audio equipment stands. They chose to present their new loudspeaker ‘Modul Ls’, a sculptural, modern looking design, narrow fronted, delivering a clean well balanced sound with extended dynamic bass, the latter the result of active drive to powerful side mounted LF drivers. Mid range is from a Scan revelator [more details]. The company also showed a range of elegant and tidy looking cabinet furniture to conceal Hi Fi system components. It was admitted these wouldn’t sound as good as the open platforms but nevertheless perform much better in terms of resonant control than conventional furniture.
Finite Elemente Modul Ls passive/active system, rear view
T+A
T+A’s creative electronic designs have extended to an iPod music player/server called Caruso, said to strongly compete with the Meridian F80, though clearly of far more conventional, engineered appearance. There is an iPod dock on the top.
T+A Caruso, server connected, internet radio and music system.
There was tons more T+A gear, too much to mention.
Resolution Audio [US]
Showed a compact music server with a wireless, radio connection, a contentious technology but here there was a working model used for demonstration.
Resolution Audio wireless linked server, working model, proof of concept.
Hush
Hush is a German computer company which pioneered heat pipe technology to eliminate noisy fans and provide silent computers. Moving into the media server business in recent years, this silent technology has an obvious advantage. Their latest products handle HD video as well as all the usual audio and related media formats.
Hush server, media drive, incorporating a silent computer
Gamut
Gamut showcased their massive Superior 9 – nearly 2 metres tall weighing 185kg each. In fact, there were a surprising number of very large speakers at the Munich Show. The Gamut sound was powerful and articulate, with a strong visual presence thanks to designer Lars Gollar’s massive design contribution but the acoustic conditions told against any significant judgment of sound quality.
Gamut S9 at 100,000 euros a pair
Acoustic Arts
Their impressive looking electronics were driving the Monitor Audio Platinum series.
Amp 2 mk II monoblocks by Acoustic Arts
Monitor Audio
Colloms discussing the finer points with the Monitor Audio team
van den Hul
A.J van de Hul explaining to Martin Colloms the finer points of his new high end moving coil cartridge design, called the Canary
Colloms and A.J.
MBL
were present in force with a whole range of products including some huge flagship designs - the amazingly dynamic loudspeakers and the matching electronics.
With such a strong home grown High End industry, perhaps it’s no surprise to find the equivalent US product is more weakly represented on the German market.
Behold
Their demonstration showed a very tidy controlled sound, and their concept is to have an advance digital preamplifier with a powerful dsp core and send digital data to analogue power amplifiers which are equipped with DAC inputs. Interconnect cable losses are thus avoided.
The Behold Digital Preamplifier
Precide
In a small room in the main hall, Swiss manufacturer Precide provided real musical enjoyment in the shape of their Syrinx , driven by those seductively finished Nagra tube power amplifiers. They continue the Heil ‘ribbon’ tweeter heritage, making these drivers themselves. I always liked the Heil treble and 25 years later it can still make an impression. I also liked the clean sounding bass alignment. The high 90dB sensitivity improves its compatibility with lower powered tube amplifiers.
The Syrinx by Precide, driven by Nagra
Cayin
They had a substantial if bewildering display of varied designs. The Turtle series caught the attention of many visitors while I preferred the look of theVP-100i, a classically styled integrated amplifier with KT88 output tubes. Cayan’s Lyric was an attractively compact integrated tube amplifier using EL84 tubes.
KungHap
KungHap presented range of ambitiously designed high end equipment, including some substantial loudspeakers using selected European drivers. The electronics were fitted with top quality components.
Inside a KungHap amplifier, with the best selected parts on view
KunHap Beijing Audio Technology loudspeakers employing Scan and Eton Drivers
Melody
I just cannot resist the looks of this Melody preamp with the spherical valves, ‘vive la difference’.
Phonosophie
This company continues to expand its massive line of products – from numerous turntables to and including cables & electronics. Several of the latter had their top covers removed, allowing identification of clear star grounding layouts.
B&W
This premier UK loudspeaker company was present in force and supported the live music making at the show with their own sound reinforced concerts. The ‘PA’ was of course undertaken using numerous models from their own 800 series and they played to packed houses throughout the show.
Standing room only at a B&W concerts
PSB
Paul Barton had come over to explain his current speaker series and so successfully demonstrated the Synchrony One despite the small demo room that I feel that we need to review it!
PSB Synchrony One
Marantz: Zen master of audio, Ken Ishiwata making an adjustment at the dark end of his sonic temple.
Avantgarde
I thought the flagship Avantgarde system a great experience, not least for bandwidth, dynamic range and dynamics.
The central bass horn stack
This horn led loudspeaker company also showed some exiting pre and power amplification, style object in their own right. Our photo doesn’t do them justice!
The new Avantgarde Preamplifier
A&V new look design: there was a variety of different looks.
Here are two more, with a Japanese art style version in the background.
Audio Plus
Italian manufacturer Audio Plus has produced distinctive retro style electronics under the Equinox brand. These are complex and sophisticated tube electronics, both pre and power, while a matching mains filter looked so complex, I could not resist taking a photo.
Audio Plus mains filter
Acoustic Solid
German manufacturer Acoustic Solid has developed quite a reputation on the home market and I sought out their stand. I was amazed to find an extraordinary range of highly varied turntable designs. I wondered what the inherent design philosophy of this company actually is. Here’s the Bamboo series, with this material used for the tone arm and the suspension towers.
Another Acoustic Solid, with bejeweled disc clamp and lots of chrome.
Dr Feickert, a specialist in LP replay, gave talks concerning a test record he’d produced which works in conjunction with a computer programme and provides for the ‘best alignment’ of pickup cartridges. It automatically measures distortion for left and right channels and allows you to align a cartridge for best linearity. This doesn’t of course guarantee the best sound will be obtained for all of the interrelated dimensions of sound quality. He shared the platform with Mike Fremer, who taught overall cartridge alignment practice.
Sutherland
‘Only a few Duracells’ says Ron Sutherland showing off the inside of his famous battery powered phono equaliser. Built on a steel chassis, I suggested he might like to try a non magnetic alloy, stainless steel or aluminium though hum shielding might be an issue.
The Transrotor Artus.
It has a sprung sub chassis system of great complexity, stabilised by gravity hung weights. Hard not to be impressed by this creation, I felt the need for two pictures so below is the second, by the Show photographer.
Plattenspieler Artus and the show registration team
Could Morel have picked up the award for the strangest looking and strangest named loudspeaker?
The Morel ‘Fat Lady’ floor standing loudspeaker
Creek had a major presence, here finally releasing their Wyndsor turntable after some unforeseen production complications.
Creek’s partner activity involving their Epo division, has resulted in Hi Fi sound quality expressed as active compact speakers, and these also made an impression. I think these Ipod compatible Aktimates are worth us listening to.
Aktimate rear connections: design detail includes amplifier feed to the second channel loudspeaker, this one is the master unit. The iPod dock is supplemented by line inputs.
Martin Logan held closed door demonstrations of a new full range electrostatic, with reminders of their original stunner the CLS from 25 years ago. This one combines a curvilinear mid treble section with a planar low frequency panel, subdivided to moderate the modal resonances. Rated at 90dB sensitivity for 6ohm loading, they do admit to 0.7 ohms at 20kHz which makes you think a little about wide frequency range programme sources. There is built in illumination and a 55Hz to 23kHz +,- 3 dB frequency response.
They certainly could play loud but conditions were not right for any worthwhile comment on the sound.
CLX25 the new, elegant full range by Martin Logan
Amphion boss Anssi Hyvonen making a point about his
new cardioid loudspeaker, the Krypton2
Amphion
Amphion showcased their new floor standing loudspeaker, described as having’point focused sound’ . Their their horn wave guide is now even larger operating with a 1.2kHz crossover to its acoustically loaded 25mm tweeter. The claimed directivity is achieved by openings to the sides of the cabinet, providing a part cardioid radiation for the mid range. Bass is from the super excursion, legendary Vifa 250mm sub woofer driver. Despite show conditions it produced a fine sound, was open and articulate with crisp bass. Supporting electronics were by Holfi, and these were said to be an important part of the show result since they were battery powered, isolating the system from the losses due to noise and interference on the mains supply at the Show. They certainly made an efective contribution to the result.
Esoteric by Teac
An impressive range is building for this High End esoteric line and the A-100 tube power amplifier was an outstanding example of Japanese craftsmanship with a superb finish. A Classic 50W plus 50 W push-pull design using conservatively rated KT88 output tubes, the audio transformer is wound with silver plated copper foil, not wire!
Esoteric A-100 stereo tube power amp operating on Finite Elemente platform.
Thorens
We favourably reviewed the TD 160 HD in Issue 9, but I was surprised to see how many designs this company now produces. Here is a high end example, shining in black gloss and chrome.
Thorens TD 550 turntable in special finish
Some handsome looking Western Electric branded Tube amplifiers were on demonstration with Thorens.
Western Electric branded mono tube power amps
That handsome Western Electric monobloc power amp.
Two chambers, into two ports, into one, a most informative
cut away.
WBT: shining silver, the new introduction, a pure silver 4mm speaker plug.
Abbey Road Cables
made an appearance at Munich, showing off their huge scale models to illustrate the internal construction. The models are actually genuine high power transmitter cables.
Abbey Road Cable founders
The Abbey Road models
Elac were a powerful presence on home territory, showing many new designs that exploit their major revisiosn to their established concave metal diaphragm bass-mid. This now has a substantially extended upper frequency range thanks to a distinctive special faceted reinforcement pattern to the diaphragm and drive at two diameters inhibiting breakup.
Inside a new Elac compact showing the double cone construction.
Elac's latest 160 mm driver for bass and mid duty looks like an inverted
geodesic dome, seen here in a classy looking three-way design
Boulder
introduced a new server called the 1021 ‘Disc Player’ for up to up to 32bits and 192kHz operation. Other features include an 18cm colour display and substantial functionality together with a high resolution volume control and powerful output stage for direct connection to power amplifiers if desired.
Boulder 1021 Server ‘Disc Player’
Hiraga
Jean Hiraga, described as a ‘living legend’, has started a loudspeaker company, recreating a classic high efficiency concentric drive loudspeaker system. This is based on a 380mm, cone/horn derived from the historic Altec coax series. If you want efficiency you must have box volume and Jean delivers the required amount in this heroic enclosure at no less than 190 litres loaded by a ‘decompressed’ tuned port, bass reflex. Tube amplifiers will love the wining combination of 100dB sensitivity and 8 ohm impedance. I loved the vibrant, effortlessly dynamic sound it produced, commensurate with the legend. www.jean-hiraga.com
Hiraga JH MS15 Reference (not really so large at 1m by 0.46 m by 0.51 m) built of best plywood and with the finest crossover components.
End M.C.
