This weekend the annual Analog-Forum hifi show took place in the usual hotel in Krefeld, Germany. With some 2000 visitors on two days it is a relatively small scale show compared to the bigger events in Germany, like Norddeutsche Hifitage, or - obviously even more so - the High End in Munich.
But the show which started years back as the annual get-together of the Analogue Audio Association, and which is still completely organised by the AAA, is quite unique in its sole focus on analogue sources. No CD or streaming to be found, just vinyl players and R2R, plus the odd tape deck thrown in. Also, the focus is more on still affordable hifi than on the highest end. Which incidentally usually has the systems on show matching the size of the hotel rooms quite nicely.
So why am I writing all this? Well, I know that the show as such will not be very relevant for anybody living left side of The Pond. Also, Asia and the wider Europe might not be overly interested. But I guess that some hifi p%§n is always appreciated and so I thought I just show a few pictures.
My two favorite rooms this year were on the one hand the room of Dr. Feickert, Dynavector and Geithain, with Chris Feickert also showing his new preamp, which I understand is announced for early next year. Well, me liking this room might not be too surprising seeing that I have Geithain speakers myself, so the general sound character was somewhat familiar.
But the other room was that of Martina Schöner’s L’Art du Son and Joachim Gerhard’s Süsskind Audio. Martina Schöner’s 100k€ idler drive, which usually comes as a complete, fine-tuned package with an Origin Live Enterprise and a Lyra Atlas, was as magnificent as always. But the most interesting bit for me were the speakers. Joachim Gerhard not only sells his standard line of loudspeakers but also builds bespoke speakers to order. And the ones being played on the show were prototypes designed for a big Austrian record dealer who wanted the sound of large 70’s JBL monitors combined with the precision and resolution that is possible today. That was quite a unique sound experience that gave a deep insight into older recordings.
But enough of words, here are the pictures.
But the show which started years back as the annual get-together of the Analogue Audio Association, and which is still completely organised by the AAA, is quite unique in its sole focus on analogue sources. No CD or streaming to be found, just vinyl players and R2R, plus the odd tape deck thrown in. Also, the focus is more on still affordable hifi than on the highest end. Which incidentally usually has the systems on show matching the size of the hotel rooms quite nicely.
So why am I writing all this? Well, I know that the show as such will not be very relevant for anybody living left side of The Pond. Also, Asia and the wider Europe might not be overly interested. But I guess that some hifi p%§n is always appreciated and so I thought I just show a few pictures.
My two favorite rooms this year were on the one hand the room of Dr. Feickert, Dynavector and Geithain, with Chris Feickert also showing his new preamp, which I understand is announced for early next year. Well, me liking this room might not be too surprising seeing that I have Geithain speakers myself, so the general sound character was somewhat familiar.
But the other room was that of Martina Schöner’s L’Art du Son and Joachim Gerhard’s Süsskind Audio. Martina Schöner’s 100k€ idler drive, which usually comes as a complete, fine-tuned package with an Origin Live Enterprise and a Lyra Atlas, was as magnificent as always. But the most interesting bit for me were the speakers. Joachim Gerhard not only sells his standard line of loudspeakers but also builds bespoke speakers to order. And the ones being played on the show were prototypes designed for a big Austrian record dealer who wanted the sound of large 70’s JBL monitors combined with the precision and resolution that is possible today. That was quite a unique sound experience that gave a deep insight into older recordings.
But enough of words, here are the pictures.
Last edited:
