29 April 2015

HIGH END 2015 - Preview

The High End 2015 in Munich showcases top international hi-fi brands and innovations, including new headphones, speakers, amplifiers, and audio systems from leading manufacturers. Event runs May 14–17 at MOC Munich.

From May 14th to 17th, 2015, the High End will once again take place in Munich – now recognized as the most important international hi-fi trade show in the world. Of course, we’ll be there to find out about the latest news and report on one thing or another from the event. If you want to stay up to date, we recommend following our Facebook page. For all the truly curious, we’ve already put together a preview of some exciting highlights from the show. This year, the event will again be held in the MOC Munich, a modern trade fair and event center in the north of the Bavarian metropolis, offering the very best conditions. With now four halls and two atriums featuring separate demo rooms, even more exhibition space is available, yet not all exhibitor requests could be accommodated, as the event was sold out early. This clearly demonstrates the significance that the High End now enjoys internationally. An overview of the exhibitors and brands that managed to secure a spot can be found on the website of the organizer, the High End Society. As is tradition, the show kicks off on Ascension Day (May 14th) with a day for dealers and trade visitors. For all other visitors, the High End is open from Friday to Sunday (May 15th to 17th), each day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets can still be purchased up to one day before the start of the event. One little tip for the undecided: the famous English Garden is not far from the MOC, so with the traditionally good weather during the High End, a visit to the show can easily be combined with a family outing. We’re definitely already looking forward to the trip to Munich. And the new products and manufacturers briefly introduced below are ones we will certainly check out while we’re there. Maybe we’ll see you there?

High End 2015 – First Highlights at a Glance:

Audioquest – Atrium 4 – Room E122

High-quality headphones with elegant wood design and excellent sound, ideal for audiophiles in 2015. — High-quality headphones with an elegant wood design and excellent sound quality. Perfect for audiophiles in 2015.

The main interest of visitors to the Audioquest room will likely be the long-awaited NightHawk headphones. But that is by no means the only new development from California to be admired in Munich. Reportedly, there will be two new products from the digital division of these cable specialists, who already introduced the highly successful mini-DAC DragonFly. And with the power conditioner Niagara 7000, the Americans are entering an entirely new field.

Audionet – Atrium 4 – E101

The specialists for technically sophisticated high-end solutions with a big heart for music are currently reinventing themselves, or so it seems. This applies not only to their new website, but for Munich, an entirely new brand appearance with exciting new products has also been promised.

Avantgarde Acoustic – Atrium 4 – E124

High-quality 2015 speaker designs featuring innovative acoustics and modern style for demanding audio enthusiasts. — High-quality loudspeaker designs from Vorschau 2015: Innovative acoustics with a modern look. Ideal for discerning audio enthusiasts.

The enormously successful new Zero 1 is sure to attract a lot of interest again this year, but the specialists for horn speakers will certainly also present their larger transducers – at their traditionally ‘refined’ volume, of course…

Chord Electronics – Atrium 3 – C122

Chord Hugo TT high-end DAC and headphone amplifier known for exceptional sound quality in a compact design. — The Chord Hugo TT is a high-end DAC and headphone amplifier, known for its outstanding sound quality. Perfect for audiophiles seeking excellent sound in a compact form.

With boldness in style and a wealth of expertise in digital technology, the English team around John Watts has built an excellent reputation in recent years. Not least, the hugely successful portable DAC Hugo caused a sensation last year, and at CES in January, its big brother Hugo TT was introduced. Both will naturally be on display and available for listening in Munich, along with at least one more new product that, unfortunately, we cannot talk about just yet…

clearaudio – Hall 2 – P03/R08

High-end turntable tonearm with built-in level, displayed at the High End 2015 show. — Tonearm of a high-end turntable with integrated spirit level element, presented at the High End 2015 show.

Of course, the German manufacturer clearaudio is a must among the high-quality consumer electronics at the High End. And with the tangential tonearm TT4, the company from Middle Franconia has an extremely exciting new product in store. But, without false modesty, we can point out that the world premiere of this fine mechanical masterpiece didn’t take place in Munich, but already in April at the Analogtage in Hamm.

Burmester – Atrium 3 – D107

Dieter Burmester is traveling to Munich with a whole range of new developments. Which ones exactly, we sadly cannot reveal just yet. But a visit to Burmester’s traditionally excellent demo is certainly worthwhile!

Dali – Atrium 3 – D108

High-quality speakers from 2015 featuring elegant design and excellent sound, perfect for discerning audiophiles. — High-quality speakers for 2015 unveiled: Elegant design meets excellent sound. Ideal for discerning audiophiles.

At Dali, things are going active – with the active speaker series Zensor AX. Our tip: Go. Take a look. Listen!

Update Fischer und Fischer – Atrium 4 – F104

High-quality floor-standing speaker with modern design, ideal for audiophiles and music lovers seeking excellent sound. — High-quality floor-standing speaker with modern design and excellent sound quality. Perfect for audiophiles and music lovers.

We’ve just received news that there will be a true world premiere at Fischer & Fischer as well. With the new SN/SL 770.1 AMT, the slate specialists from the Sauerland region are once again making a real statement. Designed as a true 4-way system and equipped with tri-wiring terminals, the 770.1 AMT weighs almost 160kg; the high-frequency reproduction is now handled by a Fischer & Fischer Air Motion Transformer. And, as always, the customer has the choice with the 770.1 AMT to either fully showcase the typical look of the natural slate used for the enclosure (SN) or order the speaker in a polished and custom-colored variant (SL).

Lyngdorf Audio – Atrium 3 – C122 / Atrium 4 – F104

The new hi-fi products from Lyngdorf offer classic Scandinavian design with state-of-the-art technology. While the intelligent integrated amplifier TDAI-2170 has already been available for a while, its ingenious RoomPerfect room acoustics system still deserves plenty of attention. Now, the Danes are adding the SDA-2400 power amplifier, which, thanks to both analog and digital inputs, promises tremendous flexibility for hi-fi, home theater, and multiroom setups.

Melco by Buffalo – Atrium 4 – F104

Melco music server with elegant design, delivering high-quality audio for demanding hi-fi enthusiasts and high-end systems. — Melco music server: Elegant design and high-quality audio playback for discerning hi-fi enthusiasts. Ideal for high-end systems.

“About someone who set out to build an audiophile hard drive…” – That’s how the story of the Melco Music Library could begin. But words are patient; it’s best to experience for yourself the sonic difference this music storage can make in a modern hi-fi system. Either in Melco’s own room or with six other manufacturers who, after their own listening tests, spontaneously decided to use the Melco in their demonstrations at the High End.

myaudioart – Hall 4 – E05

Speakers hidden behind pictures have been around for a while. But few have sounded as good as the large-format solutions from myaudioart. And no one before has managed to so elegantly integrate a full-fledged sound system including various connections, stereo amplifier, and Bluetooth into a picture. Let yourself be surprised!

Sperling Audio – Hall 4 – E20

A high-end turntable with precise design and premium materials, ideal for discerning vinyl enthusiasts. — An impressive high-end turntable with precise design and high-quality materials. Perfect for discerning vinyl enthusiasts.

In the small cosmopolitan town of Welver, just outside Soest, a little-known turntable manufacturer has recently been making a name for itself. As true mass turntables, crafted from the finest materials and with almost surgical precision, the turntables from Sperling delight both the eye and the ear.

T+A – Atrium 3 – D102

High-end T+A HiFi system featuring a turntable and CD player with modern design for audiophiles. — T+A high-end hi-fi system: turntable and CD player with modern design and high-quality sound reproduction. Perfect for discerning music lovers.

Siegfried Amft and his team will certainly have their hands full in Munich. With the recently announced overhaul of the successful R-Series, they have four brand-new products to present to the discerning audience.

Technics – Atrium 3 – D110

Technics high-end sound system 2015 with elegant design, Bluetooth connectivity, and premium audio quality. — Technics high-end sound system 2015: Elegant design meets modern technology with Bluetooth connectivity and high-quality sound. Perfect for discerning music lovers.

The fact that Technics has made an impressively strong comeback in the hi-fi world is really no longer news. Still, it will be great to see the brand at the High End, because with their compact streaming system C700, and especially with their super high-end R1 system, that’s exactly where they belong. Will there be something new to see as well? Let yourself be surprised...

Visitors explore the latest audio innovations at the HIGH END trade show in Munich, May 2015. — HIGH END Messe in Munich: Experience the latest innovations in the audio world from May 14 to 17, 2015.