Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
CONCLUSION

I feel like the visitor attendance this year was below what I remember seeing in 2016. (Interestingly, Michael Fremer reported on Analog Planet that he feels this show had more visitors and was busier than prior shows, so he may have objective numerical information I do not have.)

I noticed this year again a funny phenomenon about the Munich High-End Show at the MOC. Because of the enormity of the venue -- four huge buildings (“halls”) each with three floors and each with a voluminous center with hallways on each side of the center areas, and the sheer number of attendees -- it is very difficult to arrange to meet someone in a pre-planned way at a particular place at a particular time. One of the participants to the meeting inevitably stays longer in some audio room prior to the meeting time, or the other participant is disappointed with where he or she is visiting, and moves on to another room down the hall. Just take my word for it: efforts at deliberate meetings at MOC are oddly frustrating.

On the other hand one is almost constantly randomly running into the very individuals one was hoping to make plans with to meet! Without making a plan to meet Matej we ran into each other and walked around together for a while and had a nice drink outside under Los Angeles perfect weather! There also were several people I had trouble connecting with by schedule until I happily ran into them totally randomly.



MY FAVORITE SYSTEMS

The caveat here is that I did not visit remotely every room. Some major brands, such as Ares Cerat, I negligently missed entirely. So this favorite systems list is merely a subset of the list of the rooms I happened to visit.

TOP SIX SYSTEMS OF SHOW (in alphabetical order by loudspeaker)


— Cessaro Zeta / Cessaro SET

— Goebel Divin Majestic / CH Precision*

— Living Voice Olympian

— Rockport Technologies / Absolare Hybrid

— Tune Audio Avaton** / Trafomatic SET

— Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11 / VAC 450 Statement iQ​

— If the Magico M6 had been driven by high power tubes and had been playing analog that system likely also would have been a favorite (but, for my ears, below Rockport/Absolare).


* According to Oliver Goebel and Elliot Goldman the whole point of the high-sensitivity Divin Majestic is to enable owners to drive it with natural-sounding low and medium power SET tube amplifiers, so I am giving the Divin Majestic the benefit of a doubt by not penalizing it for Oliver’s use of CH Precision solid-state electronics. (CH Precision may be among the best sounding solid-state electronics, but they don’t have the sound of Lamm ML3s or Viva Auroras.)

** Biggest pleasant surprise!
 

jeff1225

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2012
3,007
3,249
1,410
51
CONCLUSION

I feel like the visitor attendance this year was below what I remember seeing in 2016. (Interestingly, Michael Fremer reported on Analog Planet that he feels this show had more visitors and was busier than prior shows, so he may have objective numerical information I do not have.)

I noticed this year again a funny phenomenon about the Munich High-End Show at the MOC. Because of the enormity of the venue -- four huge buildings (“halls”) each with three floors and each with a voluminous center with hallways on each side of the center areas, and the sheer number of attendees -- it is very difficult to arrange to meet someone in a pre-planned way at a particular place at a particular time. One of the participants to the meeting inevitably stays longer in some audio room prior to the meeting time, or the other participant is disappointed with where he or she is visiting, and moves on to another room down the hall. Just take my word for it: efforts at deliberate meetings at MOC are oddly frustrating.

On the other hand one is almost constantly randomly running into the very individuals one was hoping to make plans with to meet! Without making a plan to meet Matej we ran into each other and walked around together for a while and had a nice drink outside under Los Angeles perfect weather! There also were several people I had trouble connecting with by schedule until I happily ran into them totally randomly.



MY FAVORITE SYSTEMS

The caveat here is that I did not visit remotely every room. Some major brands, such as Ares Cerat, I negligently missed entirely. So this favorite systems list is merely a subset of the list of the rooms I happened to visit.

TOP SIX SYSTEMS OF SHOW (in alphabetical order by loudspeaker)


— Cessaro Zeta / Cessaro SET

— Goebel Divin Majestic / CH Precision*

— Living Voice Olympian

— Rockport Technologies / Absolare Hybrid

— Tune Audio Avaton** / Trafomatic SET

— Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11 / VAC 450 Statement iQ



* According to Oliver Goebel and Elliot Goldman the whole point of the high-sensitivity Divin Majestic is to enable owners to drive it with natural-sounding low and medium power SET tube amplifiers, so I am giving the Divin Majestic the benefit of a doubt by not penalizing it for Oliver’s use of CH Precision solid-state electronics. (CH Precision may be among the best sounding solid-state electronics, but they don’t have the sound of Lamm ML3s or Viva Auroras.)

** Biggest pleasant surprise!

Nice report Ron! Any pics of the Tune Audio room.....looks like you are becoming a big horn fan!
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Nice report Ron! Any pics of the Tune Audio room.....looks like you are becoming a big horn fan!

Yes, Jeff. The Tune Audio photos are in the horn report.
 

Believe High Fidelity

[Industry Expert]
Nov 19, 2015
1,665
318
355
Hutto TX
ibelieveinhifi.com

morricab

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2014
9,391
4,988
978
Switzerland
CONCLUSION

I feel like the visitor attendance this year was below what I remember seeing in 2016. (Interestingly, Michael Fremer reported on Analog Planet that he feels this show had more visitors and was busier than prior shows, so he may have objective numerical information I do not have.)

I noticed this year again a funny phenomenon about the Munich High-End Show at the MOC. Because of the enormity of the venue -- four huge buildings (“halls”) each with three floors and each with a voluminous center with hallways on each side of the center areas, and the sheer number of attendees -- it is very difficult to arrange to meet someone in a pre-planned way at a particular place at a particular time. One of the participants to the meeting inevitably stays longer in some audio room prior to the meeting time, or the other participant is disappointed with where he or she is visiting, and moves on to another room down the hall. Just take my word for it: efforts at deliberate meetings at MOC are oddly frustrating.

On the other hand one is almost constantly randomly running into the very individuals one was hoping to make plans with to meet! Without making a plan to meet Matej we ran into each other and walked around together for a while and had a nice drink outside under Los Angeles perfect weather! There also were several people I had trouble connecting with by schedule until I happily ran into them totally randomly.



MY FAVORITE SYSTEMS

The caveat here is that I did not visit remotely every room. Some major brands, such as Ares Cerat, I negligently missed entirely. So this favorite systems list is merely a subset of the list of the rooms I happened to visit.

TOP SIX SYSTEMS OF SHOW (in alphabetical order by loudspeaker)


— Cessaro Zeta / Cessaro SET

— Goebel Divin Majestic / CH Precision*

— Living Voice Olympian

— Rockport Technologies / Absolare Hybrid

— Tune Audio Avaton** / Trafomatic SET

— Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11 / VAC 450 Statement iQ​



* According to Oliver Goebel and Elliot Goldman the whole point of the high-sensitivity Divin Majestic is to enable owners to drive it with natural-sounding low and medium power SET tube amplifiers, so I am giving the Divin Majestic the benefit of a doubt by not penalizing it for Oliver’s use of CH Precision solid-state electronics. (CH Precision may be among the best sounding solid-state electronics, but they don’t have the sound of Lamm ML3s or Viva Auroras.)

** Biggest pleasant surprise!

You didn't miss Aries Cerat...the brand was not demoing at the show this year.
 

morricab

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2014
9,391
4,988
978
Switzerland
CONCLUSION

I feel like the visitor attendance this year was below what I remember seeing in 2016. (Interestingly, Michael Fremer reported on Analog Planet that he feels this show had more visitors and was busier than prior shows, so he may have objective numerical information I do not have.)

I noticed this year again a funny phenomenon about the Munich High-End Show at the MOC. Because of the enormity of the venue -- four huge buildings (“halls”) each with three floors and each with a voluminous center with hallways on each side of the center areas, and the sheer number of attendees -- it is very difficult to arrange to meet someone in a pre-planned way at a particular place at a particular time. One of the participants to the meeting inevitably stays longer in some audio room prior to the meeting time, or the other participant is disappointed with where he or she is visiting, and moves on to another room down the hall. Just take my word for it: efforts at deliberate meetings at MOC are oddly frustrating.

On the other hand one is almost constantly randomly running into the very individuals one was hoping to make plans with to meet! Without making a plan to meet Matej we ran into each other and walked around together for a while and had a nice drink outside under Los Angeles perfect weather! There also were several people I had trouble connecting with by schedule until I happily ran into them totally randomly.



MY FAVORITE SYSTEMS

The caveat here is that I did not visit remotely every room. Some major brands, such as Ares Cerat, I negligently missed entirely. So this favorite systems list is merely a subset of the list of the rooms I happened to visit.

TOP SIX SYSTEMS OF SHOW (in alphabetical order by loudspeaker)


— Cessaro Zeta / Cessaro SET

— Goebel Divin Majestic / CH Precision*

— Living Voice Olympian

— Rockport Technologies / Absolare Hybrid

— Tune Audio Avaton** / Trafomatic SET

— Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11 / VAC 450 Statement iQ​



* According to Oliver Goebel and Elliot Goldman the whole point of the high-sensitivity Divin Majestic is to enable owners to drive it with natural-sounding low and medium power SET tube amplifiers, so I am giving the Divin Majestic the benefit of a doubt by not penalizing it for Oliver’s use of CH Precision solid-state electronics. (CH Precision may be among the best sounding solid-state electronics, but they don’t have the sound of Lamm ML3s or Viva Auroras.)

** Biggest pleasant surprise!

Well, agreeing on 1 out of 6 isn't too bad I guess :).
 

BMCG

VIP/Donor
Oct 1, 2016
234
41
133
United Kingdom
Well, agreeing on 1 out of 6 isn't too bad I guess :).

Ahh the world of WBF...where divergence of opinion is a table stake...keeps it interesting...
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA

Al M.

VIP/Donor
Sep 10, 2013
8,683
4,473
963
Greater Boston
Ahh the world of WBF...where divergence of opinion is a table stake...keeps it interesting...

What do you expect? This is by nature not specific to WBF. Our hobby is deeply personal, which is also why audiophiles have widely divergent system approaches.

There is no 'absolute best system' or single most valid approach for everybody's tastes. Unfortunately, some feel compelled to impose their preferences upon others.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Thank you very much, Jeff and Believe!
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Nice report Ron! Any pics of the Tune Audio room.....looks like you are becoming a big horn fan!

For jazz, I have been a big horn fan since Munich 2016.

(Not to create a problem I hope) but as soon as I flipped over the Avaton, I thought of them for you.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
Where is sound of Tao these days? He had the Anima and loved them
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Well, agreeing on 1 out of 6 isn't too bad I guess :).

I think another effect may be at work here in our conclusions. I may be totally wrong on this but I feel like you are applying an absolute standard to what you heard from the systems at the show, whereas I am applying a relative standard. I am not “DKing” a system at the show if it does not sound perfect to me on all parameters.

1) I am taking into account that I heard systems in suboptimal rooms at a show (I heard quite a bit of boomy bass (Magico M6, for example)), but I did not take points off for that.

2) I am evaluating and comparing the sound of different systems in different rooms relatively, not absolutely.

3) If I have heard a loudspeaker sound great in other systems and in other rooms (show or non-show) I would not disqualify it as a show favorite here because it did not sound as great as I have heard it sound before. (For example, I think the VSA/VAC system sounded better at the LA Audio Show than it did last week in Munich. But I did not allow that to disqualify the VSA/VAC room from being one of my six favorites here.)
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
I was about to write similar. That the approach to show, what the listener wants to get out of it will dictate rankings of best of show system. I feel we approach this differently as compared to when we are sitting together with someone's private system
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
I just added to my original post above that “If the Magico M6 had been driven by high power tubes and had been playing analog that system likely also would have been a favorite.”

Even on solid-state (I have never cared for the sound of any Magico speaker I have ever heard driven by solid-state) I could tell that the M6 is Alon’s best effort to date, and that the M6 is truly a great loudspeaker. Now all he has to do is in invert an M6 on another M6 and create his ultimate, state of the art, dynamic driver M-T-M Magico to compete directly with Rockport Arrakis, VSA Ultra 11, Goebel Divin Majestic and Gryphon Trident II.
 

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
6,129
181
458
La Jolla, Calif USA
I just added to my original post above that “If the Magico M6 had been driven by high power tubes and had been playing analog that system likely also would have been a favorite.”

Even on solid-state (I have never cared for the sound of any Magico speaker I have ever heard driven by solid-state) I could tell that the M6 is Alon’s best effort to date, and that the M6 is truly a great loudspeaker. Now all he has to do is in invert an M6 on another M6 and create his ultimate, state of the art, dynamic driver M-T-M Magico to compete directly with Rockport Arrakis, VSA Ultra 11, Goebel Divin Majestic and Gryphon Trident II.

If only it was that simple, lol.
I “strongly “ suspect that the main reason that Alon doesn’t exhibit his speakers with tube gear, except for the big CAT’s, which are basically brutes in the tube world, is due to the fact that his designs are far too difficult a load for perhaps all other tube amps to drive ( and naturally, he knows this!) Adding more cabinets to his design would only serve to increase this problem.
IMHO, most speaker designers know what works well with their designs, as far as upstream gear is concerned...and then they leave it to the dealer to disseminate that information....:rolleyes::(
 

andromedaaudio

VIP/Donor
Jan 23, 2011
8,354
2,731
1,400
Amsterdam holland
i like magicos with tubes too, i think
Davey has a point although the V3 with. Zanden 9500 where a very good match.
Octave S 5 as well. But small tube amps no dont think so
 

c1ferrari

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 15, 2010
2,162
51
1,770
[FONT=palatino\ linotype]Thank you for the comments, Ron.[/FONT]
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing