Munich Audio Show, MOC May 2019

​It seems to get bigger every year and this time I was determined to be a little selective even with the danger of overlooking something of particular interest. The layout is something of a maze and despite maps and extensive signage it is easy on more than one occasion to end up at the same place. That is not so bad, as more often than not you then find something interesting that you would otherwise have missed.

(Hover over a photo to read the commentary. Click on a photo to see the full photo, then use the > to step through the whole album.)

ATC were fielding their latest SCM100ASE active, floor base mounted, three-way, and I and many others were impressed by the dynamic and transparent sound achieved under tough show conditions.

David Wilson’s striking memorial, showered with light at Munich

A fine show sound for CAD with Verity loudspeakers. CAD is also expanding their RFI noise suppression line.

Another fine sound with Gauder Acoustic floorstanders, here with the Western Electric 300B SE triode revival integrated amplifier.

A full function 300B SE integrated amplifier, audio jewellery.

DCS used D'Agostino amplification to good effect for this Wilson Audio Sasha DAW loudspeaker demo

A full THRAX system, and it sounded good!

A hall of riches with the flagship Marten loudspeakers and CH Precision amplification.

A neat SE stereo valve amplifier from Voxativ partnering the new, large, glossy, full-range line baffle design below, a lively and natural sound with seriously deep bass lines, neutrally balanced like a great three-way but with that sense of single driver immediacy.

Voxativ Ampeggio Due

Magico showed the new M2, working hard but holding its own in a large space, a high quality sound from vinyl replay

The new Creek high power Class G integrated amplifier, the I100, with an advanced switch mode power supply

Rapt attention at the Soulution-Magico M6 demo: Belafonte on RCA, the Carnegie Hall LP reissue. That old chestnut ‘Day O’ came up so fresh and captivating on this system that I could not leave it unfinished. This was enough to prove the M6 pedigree, and of course that of Soulution.

This was the Magico M6 source, so clean you could swear that it was tape. The player was a Swiss DEBAER.

A rapt audience for Avant Garde horn speakers, and perhaps unsurprisingly The Wall, Pink Floyd, playing on the turntable. Some 50% of exhibitors had or were running LP replay

Another massive Invictus long player, one of more than half a dozen models in the range

Another set of Wilson Sasha DAW, here sounding relaxed and musical with Spectral amplification.

At Nagra with a largely rapt audience, replay via the YG Acoustics flagship with separate sub woofers

YG Sonja with matching subs, all powered by Nagra

Avid showed a complete line, including loudspeakers

Dan D'Agostino ready for action at Munich, here showing his latest integrated amplifier creation Progression

Elac dived into streamer amplifiers with their DS A101 G with 80W amplification

Estelon Forza, an involving listen, well driven by dimly lit CH Precision amplification

Fink Team's highly capable and sonically self effacing BORG loudspeaker, here powered by Thrax electronics; a most dynamically natural result, with very well focused stereo in a central seat, worth waiting for.

Focal/Naim launch demo with NAIM Statement amplification and special finish Focal Utopia Be loudspeakers.

Given the absence of a proper demo set up, the new Audio Physic Midex loudspeaker sounded promising

IAG Goup's Peter Comeau proudly presenting the Elysian hi tech three-way (white) and the Linton revival loudspeaker also now a three-way

Eyecatching onyx clad loudspeakers from Cantus

Kii THREE compact with the matching sub woofers, and a fine sound

Lyn Stanley live, accompanying her new LP at Tim De Paravacini's EAR installation, and sounding very well indeed

Latest McIntosh MTI 100 integrated turntable with triode amplification-equalisation, tubes seen to the right on the top deck

McIntosh MT100 wish list

MSB's latest electronics: DACS and amplification, driving the statement Magico M6 monitors to very good effect on their special bases.

The 25,000EU Lampizator DAC! There were more Lampizators in this vein

The Reed Muse 3C turntable, seen in several demos with its green circumferential strobe

Remton Audio , a Czech LCR equalisation phono stage, triodes and top quality components, perhaps a HIFICRITIC review item?

Silbatone tube amplification was driving multiple 1930s Westrex cinema horns sourced from several ambitious turntable rigs, such as the double platter example above, with 12 and 14 inch tonearms. Despite some classic coloration the sound was vital and immediate.

Classe and Marantz amplification took care of the larger WM-4 loudspeaker system from FINK TEAM, and again with impressive results.

Truly enormous Kawero three-ways with double ribbon horns

The Kagura Turntable and moving coil cartridge, for the Kawero system

Steinheim, these Swiss made alloy cased pulp coned towers were most musical in this system (Alumine 5)

Stromtank offline supply, powering D'Agostino power amps, driving Sonus Faber loudspeakers

The 130,000EU Invictus turntable by Acoustic Signature

The Antiphon Blues LP is now more than 50EU

The Martin Logan Monolith sounded unmistakeably musical and impressive, here running with Pass monoblock electronics.

This double mono phono pre shows off Swiss engineering

Thorens new ¼ inch tape deck TM 1600 custom sourced from German specialist Ballfinger. Thorens also released a new version of the best selling TD160 sprung sub chassis design

A Thorens complete system with power amplifiers and high efficiency loudspeakers. ...a most civilised and natural sounding system.

The Worlds Press, which included four HiFiCritics, at the Naim/Focal launch

Tourage of Vertere presenting his new ready to go integrated turntable

Vertere DG-1 approx £2,700 : Nylon thread, frictionless, low noise arm bearings, and a low noise synthesized motor drive, of several novel features. Almost a plug and play design

Vivid made a fine impression with Mola Mola amplification: a ground floor booth but with quite effective insulation and acoustics.

Zellaton’s REFERENCE Mk II loudspeaker performed well under show conditions, lively and with good definition

..and Zellaton completes this brief overview of Munich DE 2019 HIFI SHOW by Martin Colloms HIFICRITIC  15/05/2019