High End Show Munich 2016: Oddities & Other Turntables
Article by WL Low
In this wrap up of my tour in Munich High End 2016, I present you some of the images less published in other web sources. It is evident that analog is making a big, big comeback not only with turntable at every corner of the show, but also restored open reel tape decks and software. There were hundreds of cable & speaker exhibitors too. Horn speakers seems to be back in a big way in Europe, especially in the German speaking countries. Another trending issue is the ever spiraling prices of high end hifi. Six figure turn tables are very common sight at the show, and the race to the top is a Euro 260,000 turn table! 4 tower speaker systems seems popular too, starting with six figure price tags. Prestige, does not come cheap, as they say.
Estelon model YB is a small floor standing speaker with elegantly sculpted design. Note how the exhibitor covered the amplifier to prevent free endorsement for some other products?
dCS digital system demo always sounds good with Wilson speakers, as seen here powered by the lovely Dan D’Agostino mono blocks
Acoustic Signature Invictus boasting enough mounting space for 4 tone arms & high technology design
I’ve always liked wooden tone arms that are so arty in design. Here’s one ………………………….
By Musica Nova and it’s corresponding turn table
More made in Germany horns ………………….
by Horn Kultur, seen here is the flagship of 4 piece design.
Not exactly new, but the Origin Live Voyager turn table always looked interesting
Zu speakers, powered by Leben tube amps, and sourced fron the above mentioned Origin Live turn table
A custom restored Philips open reel tape deck with more software on offer
Klimo Tafelrunde turn table with with 4 matching Lancellotto tone arms! Another one with six figure price tag?
Townshend Seismic Podium, speaker platform
And how the latest Seismic Platform looks like
G Pinto turntable is actually and all in one system built in, all you need is a pair of powered desk top speakers
Big sound emanating from the tiny Boenicke Audio speakers. Yes, that little pair sitting on chairs!
A closer look to the 4 inch single driver based speaker
The FiiO R7 is to me at least, a first of its kind. A product that merges a player, digital to analogue convertor, preamplifier and headphone amplifier. All of this is crammed into a uniquely designed chassis that would standout while blending in seamlessly on a desktop setup. Offered in both black and white, the FiiO R7 is by far the most fascinating product currently available in the FiiO catalogue.
About a dozen Taiwanese companies are taking part in the coming Kuala Lumpur International AV show to be held on October 27-29 (Friday – Sunday) at The Gardens Hotel, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur.
It is double happiness at YY Sound Systems' showroom in Glo Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, as there are two demo systems with different sonic flavours set up.
