{"id":35104,"date":"2023-05-23T18:34:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T16:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=35104"},"modified":"2024-05-14T09:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T07:43:20","slug":"munich-high-end-2023-show-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/show-reports\/munich-high-end-2023-show-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Munich High End 2023 Show Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

After my 2022 report of the show based on photos, comments, and other content from friends in the industry who are attending, I felt it was time to visit the show in person once again. This time, I opted to go primarily as a visitor and only document the systems that I felt were interesting to me personally. Below are what I regard as the interesting highlights of the High End 2023 show, in no particular order.<\/p>\n

Marten Design<\/h3>\n

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The Marten room featured the world premiere of the Mingus Septet. This is a four-way design with seven drivers and the first Mingus model to feature custom beryllium and diamond drivers. Unique is the very large beryllium dome midrange driver which may have spirited a subtle deviation from the Marten house sound as I have come to know it from earlier models. The Septet still has the familiar deep, voluminous, and relaxed bass, the liquidity and effortless flow, but with a rather more forward and explicit midrange and lower treble than before. Of course, these are Martens, and the Septet does not break the tradition. This model may spicier but it remains fluid and refined and there is no hardness or edge. Some listeners may prefer the more laidback approach of earlier models but there’s no doubt that this latest implementation makes for an appealingly open and spritely sound.<\/p>\n

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TechDAS turntable with DS Audio optical cartridge, Antipodes OLADRA server, MSB front end, and MSB power amplifiers.<\/p>\n

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Magico S3 2023 with Wadax, Antipodes, and Pilium<\/h3>\n

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For me, this was one of the very best rooms of the show, featuring the new Magico S3 2023 (Mk3) and S-SUB MkII with Antipodes OLADRA music server, Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC, Server, and Power Supply, Pilium Audio Divine Olympus preamplifier and Divine Zeus Power amplifier, Telos Earth Grounding Monster, Telos Monster Power Station, Nordost network switch, ethernet-, and USB cables and all VYDA cabling.<\/p>\n

Assessing these speakers’ inherent performance is tricky, though, due to the effort that has been undertaken to make this particular room sound great. To this end, Magico has allowed acoustic experts to measure and calculate the room’s properties in advance, and treat it accordingly. From what I can tell, the grey frame that can be seen along all room sides is comprised of acoustic absorbing material which likely also functions in part as a bass trap and the orange panels are diffusers. Additionally, there are two next-generation S-SUB Mk II subwoofers. Incidentally, this new sub features a brand-new driver, a new amplification section, and more advanced DSP which according to Magico allows it to perform with even greater finesse and power.<\/p>\n

It should be noted that the adjustment of these subwoofers can have a very large effect on the end result. For instance, as would seem obvious, they could augment the S3s such that they sound fuller and more extended than they normally do on their own. But it is also possible to employ the subs to very precisely counter certain room peculiarities such as nulls or peaks, by cleverly making use of the subs’ position and adjustments, which could result in cleaner bass than would be possible with just the pair of S3s.<\/p>\n

In any case, this room had hands-down the best bass performance of the show. Tight, articulate, deep, and fast, as well as natural and acoustically convincing. In fact, the sound was so superb that it was more like a highly-tuned home system than a demo at an audio show.<\/p>\n

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I imagine that such a clean bass response could be something of a two-edged sword at this show, impressing one group that is familiar with such a clean sound while confusing another group expecting a fuller sound as they are used to hearing much more of an impact from rooms.<\/p>\n

But superb bass performance aside, the rest of the speakers’ frequency range was impressive as well. The way I experienced it is that there was never a sense of listening to a speaker. Rather, the sound just is<\/em>. The midrange, in particular, was pure, open, and realistic and reminded me a lot of the Q5 midrange in terms of pure and non-editorialized cleanness except that it was now more organic and involving. Likewise, the treble was liquid and natural, very highly resolving yet also supremely delicate and ultra-refined.<\/p>\n

The S3’s treble is subjectively not quite as explicit or (seemingly?) as extended as the Q-series treble, in particular the Q5 that I know well, but it is much more fluid and refined and absolutely never calls attention to itself.<\/p>\n

And in comparison to the earlier S3 MkII, all I’ll say is, forget about it. The new S3 is not just better in all respects (treble extension, airiness, and refinement included), but it is simply\u00a0in a different league altogether.<\/p>\n

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Wadax DAC and Server set up on Artesania Special Edition Exoteryc racks with Master Kyo features and Carbon Fiber Linear Arms.<\/p>\n

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Presumably due to the precise calibration of the system (perhaps done for a single listening position), I did find that the exact listening position had a large impact on the perceived sound. Although still great at the sides or even in the back, the system really sounded the most balanced and provided the best focus and imaging when seated either in the middle of the front row or the row right behind it. And even in these positions, I found that the soundstaging and focus were not hugely impressive. But knowing what Magicos can do, I’m sure this is the result of decisions made when juggling the pros and cons while tackling the difficulties of the room. I imagine weighing razor-sharp focus and wide imaging against super-articulate, clean, and precise bass behavior. In any case, based on this audition, I am deeply impressed.<\/p>\n

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For the first time in a Magico design (that I know of), the midrange and woofer surrounds are made of foam, not rubber. As I understand it, this is the kind that does not deteriorate. Foam has certain benefits, one of which is that it allows a “faster” sound.<\/em><\/p>\n

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While it may already look large, trust me, this amp really is A LOT larger than it appears in photos!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above is the inside of the S3, showing the extensive cross-bracing and the absence of a plastic bubble to seal the midrange driver from the woofer energy. Instead, the S3 has a similar configuration as the Q series. The crossover normally sits at the bottom behind the lowest woofer.<\/em><\/p>\n

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I asked Alon why my humble S1 MkII has a separate sealed chamber for the crossover and the S3 2023 does not. He responded that there is no room within the new cabinet and added that acoustically sealing the crossover provided only a small benefit. They could<\/em> make room, of course, but that would mean a larger and more expensive speaker.<\/p>\n

Next: Magico M6 with Wadax and Dan D’Agostino<\/p>\n

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Magico M6 with Wadax and Dan D’Agostino<\/h3>\n

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Interestingly, the Magico M6 was set up in a nearby room, accompanied by the same Wadax server and DAC as in the Magico room. The equipment was set up on a similar Artesania Exoteryc rack (although not the Special Edition) but there were no subs and Dan D’Agostino amplification was used rather than Pilium. Additionally, there was also a brand-new, highly impressive-looking, Wadax Reference CD\/SACD Transport with a lens-opening reminiscent of the Sonic Frontiers Transport 3. Something tells me that, quite unlike the old Sonic Frontiers implementation, the Wadax mechanism will be whisper-quiet… In any case, even on looks alone, this beast has me drooling.<\/p>\n

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(Photo taken from SoundStage Australia’s Facebook page<\/a> as I failed to take a close-up photo myself)<\/em><\/p>\n

The room was the same size and located in the same wing of the building, presumably facing very similar conditions. As far as I can tell, this room did receive less attention than the S3 room, and of course, there were no subs here. But to some extent, I feel that I can still make at least a partial comparison.<\/p>\n

Although the core components, placements, room size, and listening positioning were the same, the sonic presentation was very different. Whereas the S3 room was all about tightness, precision, linearity, and purity, the M6 room was much more about smoothness, richness, and refinement. The treble was not very different but the bass was incomparable. Of course, one cannot expect the same bass behavior from two different rooms, certainly not when one room is fully treated and the other only moderately so. But still, the M6 seems to be a rather rounder, sweeter, and more voluptuous and fulsome-sounding speaker than the S3. And as such, it caters to a different public. Of course, the M6 also goes deeper and is significantly more powerful so that it can play louder and fill larger rooms.<\/p>\n

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Clarisys Audio with Soulution<\/h3>\n

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Having more than a decade of Apogee ownership in hindsight, I was interested to hear the Clarisys speakers. Designed by a global team, the speakers are manufactured in Vietnam, represented by Florian Wiegand who himself has also been an Apogee enthusiastic for a big part of his life.<\/p>\n

Demoed here are the Clarisys Auditorium Full-Range magnetostatic ribbon speakers with a full Soulution system.<\/p>\n

Having heard three Clarisys models in various locations, to be honest, my overall impression of them is still unbalanced. While I am convinced of the small Minuet model’s performance, I’m still divided when it comes to the large Auditorium model as heard and seen here and on one earlier occasion. I don’t think I’ve heard them playing optimally just yet.<\/p>\n

In any case, the Auditorium sure provided remarkably deep and powerful bass with great linearity and super-low coloration, but somehow, I did not hear the same uniformity, spriteliness, organic flow, and all-out musicality of the small Minuet model as described in my show report at PUUR hifidelity<\/a>. On the Saturday, the midrange could certainly be extremely expressive but on occasion to the point of biting on loud peaks in a snappish manner while the overall impression was of the panel somehow sounding somewhat restrained at the same time.<\/p>\n

In speaking with distributor Florian Wiegand the next day, it became clear that the panels were in need of adjustment as a result of their transport and that this had been carried out between the first and second visitor days. And sure enough, when I visited again on the second day, the speakers sounded entirely well-behaved. But still, I think there’s a certain magic in the small Minuet model that I’ve not yet heard from the big ones. Based on what I heard so far, it would seem that the large models trade a portion of emotion and involvement for deeper bass and a wider dynamic range.<\/p>\n

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Show conditions are never great and so I can’t say very much else except that I would need to hear these speakers in a more controlled environment to properly judge them.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the brand has potential and is worth checking out. Just start with the small model and work your way up. Even the Minuet has bass capabilities that seem to defy common sense. If you have the preconceived notion that dipole ribbon speakers are by design not capable of truly deep and visceral bass, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise!<\/p>\n

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Rockport Orion with Absolare<\/h3>\n

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The new Rockport Orion speaker is one of the very few speakers that I felt presented serious competition for the new Magico S3. Then again it should do at around double the price for the speakers alone (not counting the Magico subs). The system was equally exalted with a full Absolare system and Hybrid Mono Power Amplifiers driving the speakers.<\/p>\n

I imagine that the Absolare system is rather different from the clean-and-tight Wadax and Pilium system of the Magico room. I’m not actually sure if this combination is ideal for what I am personally after (articulation, transparency, resolution, and airiness) but the system as a whole sure sounded effortlessly communicative, and was fantastically dynamic and expressive, if not quite as delicate, airy, and refined as the S3 system. But there’s no doubt in my mind that there’s something special here. It’s that this brand is rarely seen in the Netherlands, but I’m holding out to hear the Orions more extensively on another occasion.<\/p>\n

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On top of the rack were a “Metronome” Kalista DreamPlay ONE CD player and an SME turntable. One level below was a Nagra DAC with a <\/em>rather elaborate SOtM Streamer\/DAC assembly behind it.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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If you ask me, she’s a beauty!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Above is the demonstration model of the Orion’s massive inner aluminum housing that in the assembled product sits inside a larger Carbon-Fiber outer housing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next: YG Acoustics with Burmester<\/p>\n

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YG Acoustics with Burmester<\/h3>\n

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YG Acoustics also had a premiere with their new 3-series Reference line that covers all Reference models. The new Hailey 3 has the same dimensions as before but with a different constrained-layer cabinet construction and a new “Lattice hybrid tweeter with advanced airframe” tweeter.<\/p>\n

When I visited on Saturday, a pair of Hailey 3 was set up with a full Burmester system. Speaker placement was rather wide, but as always on such shows, you can safely assume that this was done to combat room peculiarities. In any event, the system sounded super-tight, fast, very linear, squeaky clean, and very expressive. The resolution and transparency were top notch and I admired the utter neutrality and the total lack of compression.<\/p>\n

But although I personally prefer speakers that are neutral to lively, the YGs lean a little further toward clean and cool. Cerebrally, they perform on the highest level, but emotionally, one could say the system can lack a little soul and flow. Nevertheless, these are very clearly very capable speakers, and in another room or with different electronics, they may prove to perform very differently. To each their own, of course, but what I really appreciate about YG is that they stay true to their course, rather than joining the trend of producing ever warmer, smoother, and richer-sounding products.<\/p>\n

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All Cardas Clear cables.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The new Vantage 3 has the same dimensions as its predecessor but with a different constrained-layer cabinet construction and a new tweeter. While still nowhere near cheap, the Vantage could be “attainable” for the serious music listener while offering almost Hailey-level performance.<\/em><\/p>\n

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With the 3 series, both Vantage and Haily are now fitted with the same Lattice hybrid tweeter with advanced airframe.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Fink Team Borg Episode 2 with Soul Note<\/h3>\n

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Fink Team debuted the new Borg Episode 2 speaker with Soul Note equipment. The Episode 2 is a two-way floor standing design featuring a 10.25-inch stiff-surround high-power mid\/bass driver and an Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter.<\/p>\n

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AMT drivers have a special place in my heart and in this implementation, that love was only confounded. Even though the room and placement were peculiar and I don’t think the speakers were allowed very good conditions, nevertheless, they performed in a superbly coherent, fast, and nimble manner with beautifully delicate and airy treble. Importantly, I never felt that the bass was disconnected from the ribbon, or behaving with a different character, which I know is one of the hardest things to achieve. As a Ribbon fan, as well as a Magico fan, I’m interested in getting a closer and longer listen to these speakers.<\/p>\n

Alsyvox with Pilium, Lampizator, and Taiko Audio<\/h3>\n

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Since I work for Taiko Audio in addition to writing for HFA, there’s not too much I can say about this system without risking a conflict of interest, but given what I heard at this show, I can’t very well not<\/em> write about it. Take it with as much salt as you like.<\/p>\n

When visiting on Sunday, I managed to obtain a front-row seat, which was a pleasant surprise given the room’s popularity. While I was enamored with the sound of the Magico S3,\u00a0I have to hand it to the Alsyvox\/Pilium\/Taiko Audio system for also being mightily impressive<\/em>\u00a0and easily one of the best sounds of the show.<\/p>\n

With the Taiko Audio Extreme Music server at its core, along with the Taiko Audio Extreme Switch and DC Power Distributor, the system performed in a powerful, crisp, and well-textured, as well as articulate, fast, expressive, and dynamic manner, yet without any edge or unnatural hardness. The components were clearly playing in a hugely synergistic manner, providing coherence, precision, and transparency as well as a timbrally full-blooded rendition and instantly establishing an engaging musical and emotional connection.<\/p>\n

Of the full-range ribbon panels that I heard during the show, these were easily the most impactful and dynamic and just plain most realistic.<\/p>\n

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I heard some people say this system sounds lean but that’s not how I hear it, per se. Of course, full-range ribbon speakers do sound very different from typical dynamic cabinet speakers, and they are indeed relatively <\/em>leaner. To a large extent, I feel this can be attributed to there being no cabinet-induced fullness or coloration, nor fat or bloom added to the sound. To my ears, this is, on many accounts, a lot like live music. If anything, more like the real thing in fact, than ticking each and every audiophile parameter, as I feel the Magicos do.<\/p>\n

In any event, I’ve also heard the very same Alsyvox models before in the Taiko showroom in Oldenzaal and in that location, and with Atma-Sphere OTL amplifiers, they sounded remarkably robust and quite full-bodied in the bass. But I’ll add that no one will ever mistake them for, say, Wilson Audio speakers. These are just very different breeds.<\/p>\n

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The system consisted of Pilium pre-and power amplifiers, a Taiko Audio Extreme Music Server, Lampizator Horizon DAC, and a new Taiko Audio trio, consisting of a proprietary Extreme Router, Extreme Switch, and Extreme DC Power Distributor.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The copper unit in the middle is the Extreme DC Power Distributor which takes a single power input and divides it over multiple outputs. Uniquely, it offers user-selectable filter options to enable a neutral sound, a richer, more expansive, and more organic sound, or a more focused and more analytical sound.<\/em><\/p>\n

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This configuration is just one of many possibilities. The unit on the right is for display purposes and not connected, but there’s more Taiko “Extremeness” going on behind the main racks.<\/em><\/p>\n

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All Omega Audio Concepts cabling, complete with Omega Audio Concepts power distributors.<\/p>\n

As Emile later unveiled, the Taiko Audio Extreme Router was not used and neither was XDMS (Taiko’s upcoming proprietary server\/player software) because of the \u201dlarge\u201d number of \u201cdeejays\u201d and given that there is currently no XDMS remote for iPhones. What was used was Roon with 2 Taiko Audio Extreme DC distributors\/filters, one for the switch and one to augment the Fritz Box router provided by the MOC.<\/p>\n

Next: Stein<\/p>\n

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Stein<\/h3>\n

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I don’t know how they do it, but every time I hear Stein speakers, they manage to sound nimble, coherent, fast, light-footed, and expressive, in spite of using what seems like an excessive number of drivers. Although the horn is not audibly invisible (which to be fair is nigh-on impossible), I still felt that together with Seawave Acoustic speakers, this Topline Bob M model provided a really great representation of the species.<\/p>\n

Grimm Audio<\/h3>\n

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So far, we’ve seen bigger and bigger systems that look impressive but Grimm Audio decided to do things differently. Amazingly, this unassuming system managed to sound incredibly large! When I walked in, the music was already playing and I had no idea what these speakers were. What I did know was that we were listening to the new MU2 which, in a nutshell, is the MU1 with an on-board proprietary DAC. Grimm Audio of course have their LS-1 active digital speaker system but given the MU2’s analog outputs, it is of course best demoed with analog speakers and an analog amplifier.<\/p>\n

The MU2 combines a music streamer with a DAC and analog pre-amp. Its built-in DAC takes full advantage of the Grimm Audio low jitter clock and high-performance FPGA processor. A relay-based analog volume control enables the MU2 to become the center \u2018hub\u2019 of a hifi system for both digital and analog sources. Just as with its sister product, the “digital output” MU1, a Roon Labs Core server is on board so no external computer is needed.<\/p>\n

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When co-designer Guido Tent later addressed the public, he explained that they intentionally opted to use such diminutive speakers (30-year old Ensembles) so that the attention would move to the MU2 rather than whichever extravagant speaker they could have selected. That’s a very fair point, I have to say. But more importantly, the sound coming from this mini-system (aided by Grimm subwoofers and powered by prototype Grimm non-memory-effect amplifiers) was remarkably good. Scale, resolution, refinement, flow, emotional involvement, dynamics, soundstage, it was all tip-top!<\/p>\n

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With these unknown speakers and amplifiers and without direct comparison, it will be hard to draw any hard conclusions but my feeling is that the MU2 may be something special indeed.<\/p>\n

Kroma Atelier \/ Artesania with APL and VAC<\/h3>\n

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These beautiful Kroma Atelier Mercedes speakers reminded me sonically of the Kroma Elektra and Carmen which is to say they sound full-bodied, rich, smooth, and organic, but with airier and more delicate treble, thanks to the ribbon driver.<\/p>\n

It was a sweet sweet sound, very easy to listen to, but warmer and more relaxed than I am accustomed to from other Kroma presentations. Maybe it was the room, the racks, or a room interaction, but it was a little too relaxed for my taste. On the other hand, this system is great for unwinding from a busy day visiting a crowded and loud audio show:-)<\/p>\n

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Artesania Audio showcased a range of new products:<\/p>\n