Long day two ....
Munich highend 2012 offical report day two
Driven by its’s own CD player and two new 501 monoblocks with Kubala Sosna cabling sound and Stella was big, dimensional and with great impact. This is serious system for seasoned audiophile with no budget restrains. Soulution displayed new 530 series integrated amplifier. This is one hefty looking machine. Swiss precision at its best. Refined and open presentation. Very natural sound and with enough air, that would keep the interest of a concertgoer for a long time. Those who prefer a bit of the tube warmness might be in vain, but there was enough of feelings to capture even hard core opposite camps.
Vitus Audio SS 101 and and JM lab
Driven by Sthaltek Opus front end, that bewildered so many of high-echelon Audio Exotic audiophiles. This was a totally different experience then with previous Soulution room. Instantly sweet, actually to sweet. Sound was squashed. I somehow can never connect with the Vitus sound. MAS team agreed on the conclusion. No, this was not a room problem, since it was the same size as down floors. We all wonder how so high priced and renowned amplifier can be in realms of such sweetness and so much hi-fi sounding like.
Raidho Acoustic
First short session we listened Burmester 061 going into Jeff Rowland newly released Aries DAC and powered with the Rowland 625 stereo power amplifier. Later they switched to the impressive, yet reasonably priced Hansen Acoustics turntable and Hansen integrated amplifier. Speakers were perhaps moved a bit to close to the seats, but overall sound didn’t disappoint.
AudioNec and Aurender
Really different looking speakers driven by the AudioNec monoblocks and preamp. It seems streaming is all over the place nowadays.
Nola Grand Reference VI and Canary Audio monoblocks with the Audi Research CD player. Finnaly a bit more of a life with music selection and my favorite Getz – Gilberto So danco samba. In the corner, there were only on silent display Lars Audio amplifiers. We set plans for grand European presentation of this 300b amplifiers.
Kharma
Kharma Exquisite and their monoblocks, streamed through Aurender and directly into DCS Puccini. Preamplifier was also from Kharma. Most beautiful room in the show. Period.
Avantgarde Acoustic
Grande looking and sounding Trios were only on the silent display, but music flow through the Duo’s. XA Amplifier and preamplifier are now in production with some lucky owners all over the world having them in the possession. There was no lack of dynamic in every Avantgarde Audio demonstration. Even Duo’s are room filler with enough energy and mojo to fill reasonably sized listening room.
XA preamplifer and amplifier were actively playing through the Esoteric player. XA series are another aesthetic delight and design achievement.
Reimyo
Almost all the friends we meet on the halls of Munich show, urge me to listen to new Reimyo small speaker.
President of Reimyo discussed the importance of balanced sound and demonstrated their resonance feet for a practial balanced on the Sonus Faber’s.
We heard Reimyo president own production of classical music. It’s great to see passion for classical music being pushed forward.
Tim De Paravinici
We took the video and made an exclusive interview. Stay tuned for it. Talk was about things analog audio and the state of the current high-end audio world. It was such a satisfying feeling to see, that Tim is still a strong supporter of vinyl and tubes. I dare to ask ever-lasting battle between tubes and solid state. Tim shortly concluded, that nothing could be as fast as tube and that solid state doesn’t have the capacity or storage and actual linearity that tube can offers. After hearing some of the rooms in the upper floors this was a pleasant relief.
Ear 861 power amp, EAR 912 standout preamp, EAR turntable and new two-box cd, sacd and usb input player. New media player were very relaxed and in absent of digitalis, but vinyl session was even more delightful. I managed to get to hear Ella and Satcmo on vinyl to full satisfaction. Not to forget speakers was very good sounding small Rockport speakers.
Dan D’agostino Special Event
Dan gave the special introduction of his amplifiers in a closed exclusive press event along with Sonus Faber Aida, that only few of us were invited. his. He talked about how much efforts are put into Momentum amplifiers.
No feedback design was plan from the start, but the final version were made at around 5db of gain. Along with the testing and listening this he came up with few unique solutions.
It’s great to hear, that final tuning of the sound were made by listening and not only measuring it. Difference of such method is more then just noticeable.
Preamp wasn’t ready for the show, but he announced upcoming product. Stay tuned for and exclusive video with all the details.
Six to nine people are a steady working for under the Dan strict direction. Everything is build by hand and as far as I’m concerned Dan can be proud of his Momentum’s. For all of us that cherish watches, this is the only true Breguet of ultra high-end. One of the most prominent looking and sounding solid state amplifers.
Dance Macabre was specially chosen and played on the largest EAT turntable by lady, that assist at presentation.
Sonus Faber Aida is as impressive as it looks. This is much larger speaker, then you might think. Aidas were 4 meters away from the back walls and the sound they produced in combination with D’Agostino amplifiers was amazing. Honestly, I might not prefer the sound of Evolution and Futura, but this is completely different league. For the first and last time on the Munich show my hairs stood up by the electricity of excitement while the importer and host of the event played carefully chosen music.
We switched to the digital front end through the Audio Research DAC and enjoyed some natural classical swing vibe and “echtig” Swiss alp horn player. As expected digital sound brought out the dynamic and power even more for the presentation.
What can be said about the sound? It’s on the level of the price tag. Ultra transparent. For such a large speaker Aida never sounded larger then life. Studio recordings were not moved back as it often happens, but as they were. I for sure didn’t expect this kind of revelation. Thanks God for this experience and to Petra and Dan for private invitation. It was a pleasure to meet them both.
Munich highend 2012 offical report day two
Driven by its’s own CD player and two new 501 monoblocks with Kubala Sosna cabling sound and Stella was big, dimensional and with great impact. This is serious system for seasoned audiophile with no budget restrains. Soulution displayed new 530 series integrated amplifier. This is one hefty looking machine. Swiss precision at its best. Refined and open presentation. Very natural sound and with enough air, that would keep the interest of a concertgoer for a long time. Those who prefer a bit of the tube warmness might be in vain, but there was enough of feelings to capture even hard core opposite camps.
Vitus Audio SS 101 and and JM lab
Driven by Sthaltek Opus front end, that bewildered so many of high-echelon Audio Exotic audiophiles. This was a totally different experience then with previous Soulution room. Instantly sweet, actually to sweet. Sound was squashed. I somehow can never connect with the Vitus sound. MAS team agreed on the conclusion. No, this was not a room problem, since it was the same size as down floors. We all wonder how so high priced and renowned amplifier can be in realms of such sweetness and so much hi-fi sounding like.
Raidho Acoustic
First short session we listened Burmester 061 going into Jeff Rowland newly released Aries DAC and powered with the Rowland 625 stereo power amplifier. Later they switched to the impressive, yet reasonably priced Hansen Acoustics turntable and Hansen integrated amplifier. Speakers were perhaps moved a bit to close to the seats, but overall sound didn’t disappoint.
AudioNec and Aurender
Really different looking speakers driven by the AudioNec monoblocks and preamp. It seems streaming is all over the place nowadays.
Nola Grand Reference VI and Canary Audio monoblocks with the Audi Research CD player. Finnaly a bit more of a life with music selection and my favorite Getz – Gilberto So danco samba. In the corner, there were only on silent display Lars Audio amplifiers. We set plans for grand European presentation of this 300b amplifiers.
Kharma
Kharma Exquisite and their monoblocks, streamed through Aurender and directly into DCS Puccini. Preamplifier was also from Kharma. Most beautiful room in the show. Period.
Avantgarde Acoustic
Grande looking and sounding Trios were only on the silent display, but music flow through the Duo’s. XA Amplifier and preamplifier are now in production with some lucky owners all over the world having them in the possession. There was no lack of dynamic in every Avantgarde Audio demonstration. Even Duo’s are room filler with enough energy and mojo to fill reasonably sized listening room.
XA preamplifer and amplifier were actively playing through the Esoteric player. XA series are another aesthetic delight and design achievement.
Reimyo
Almost all the friends we meet on the halls of Munich show, urge me to listen to new Reimyo small speaker.
President of Reimyo discussed the importance of balanced sound and demonstrated their resonance feet for a practial balanced on the Sonus Faber’s.
We heard Reimyo president own production of classical music. It’s great to see passion for classical music being pushed forward.
Tim De Paravinici
We took the video and made an exclusive interview. Stay tuned for it. Talk was about things analog audio and the state of the current high-end audio world. It was such a satisfying feeling to see, that Tim is still a strong supporter of vinyl and tubes. I dare to ask ever-lasting battle between tubes and solid state. Tim shortly concluded, that nothing could be as fast as tube and that solid state doesn’t have the capacity or storage and actual linearity that tube can offers. After hearing some of the rooms in the upper floors this was a pleasant relief.
Ear 861 power amp, EAR 912 standout preamp, EAR turntable and new two-box cd, sacd and usb input player. New media player were very relaxed and in absent of digitalis, but vinyl session was even more delightful. I managed to get to hear Ella and Satcmo on vinyl to full satisfaction. Not to forget speakers was very good sounding small Rockport speakers.
Dan D’agostino Special Event
Dan gave the special introduction of his amplifiers in a closed exclusive press event along with Sonus Faber Aida, that only few of us were invited. his. He talked about how much efforts are put into Momentum amplifiers.
No feedback design was plan from the start, but the final version were made at around 5db of gain. Along with the testing and listening this he came up with few unique solutions.
It’s great to hear, that final tuning of the sound were made by listening and not only measuring it. Difference of such method is more then just noticeable.
Preamp wasn’t ready for the show, but he announced upcoming product. Stay tuned for and exclusive video with all the details.
Six to nine people are a steady working for under the Dan strict direction. Everything is build by hand and as far as I’m concerned Dan can be proud of his Momentum’s. For all of us that cherish watches, this is the only true Breguet of ultra high-end. One of the most prominent looking and sounding solid state amplifers.
Dance Macabre was specially chosen and played on the largest EAT turntable by lady, that assist at presentation.
Sonus Faber Aida is as impressive as it looks. This is much larger speaker, then you might think. Aidas were 4 meters away from the back walls and the sound they produced in combination with D’Agostino amplifiers was amazing. Honestly, I might not prefer the sound of Evolution and Futura, but this is completely different league. For the first and last time on the Munich show my hairs stood up by the electricity of excitement while the importer and host of the event played carefully chosen music.
We switched to the digital front end through the Audio Research DAC and enjoyed some natural classical swing vibe and “echtig” Swiss alp horn player. As expected digital sound brought out the dynamic and power even more for the presentation.
What can be said about the sound? It’s on the level of the price tag. Ultra transparent. For such a large speaker Aida never sounded larger then life. Studio recordings were not moved back as it often happens, but as they were. I for sure didn’t expect this kind of revelation. Thanks God for this experience and to Petra and Dan for private invitation. It was a pleasure to meet them both.
Matej Isak Mono and Stereo ultra high end audio magazine All rights reserved, 2012 www.monoandstereo.com www.myaudioshop.com