Munich HighEnd 2024

[morricab]

So music at Munich still sucks. Color me shocked. Million $ systems to play chamber music at the biggest show in the world.

And? You have to play a wide range of music . You don’t think people listen to chamber music at home? I sure do…love string quartets and piano trios.

 

[tima]

So music at Munich still sucks. Color me shocked. Million $ systems to play chamber music at the biggest show in the world.

From the ~20 videos I watched from the Munich show, one would be lucky to find even chamber music -- straightforward acoustic music without a bunch of post-recording processing. Granted what I heard is a limited purview across a three day show with many exhibits. I don't know if what was played is what Munich-goers want to hear or what vendors think will impress -- either way it appeared to be a high-end audio show with largely tasteless music. I did no't see the point of it.

 

[AudioHR]

From the ~20 videos I watched from the Munich show, one would be lucky to find even chamber music -- straightforward acoustic music without a bunch of post-recording processing. Granted what I heard is a limited purview across a three day show with many exhibits. I don't know if what was played is what Munich-goers want to hear or what vendors think will impress -- either way it appeared to be a high-end audio show with largely tasteless music. I did no't see the point of it.

Well I was there and have to agree!

The selection of music in many rooms seemed quite odd, to much techno pop and what I call elevator music. Not my cup of tea but perhaps others enjoyed it but as far as highlighting what the speaker could do I don't think so.

In 2022 I came back with a list of music I enjoyed at the Show. This year not so much!

 

[tima]

This video may have been posted before:

I don't typically watch video ranters about audio but I played a few minutes of this and was struck by these words:

too many manufacturers, too many rooms, too many people think that imaging does it ...

making it sumptuous organic and natural and making you want to stay is what really gets an audio system across the line. ...

 

[bonzo75]

From the ~20 videos I watched from the Munich show, one would be lucky to find even chamber music -- straightforward acoustic music without a bunch of post-recording processing. Granted what I heard is a limited purview across a three day show with many exhibits. I don't know if what was played is what Munich-goers want to hear or what vendors think will impress -- either way it appeared to be a high-end audio show with largely tasteless music. I did no't see the point of it.

My Munich 2019 report is mostly classical, with a bit of rock and jazz thrown in

Munich 2019 Video Coverage – Zero Distortion

zero-distortion.org

 

[bonzo75]

So music at Munich still sucks. Color me shocked. Million $ systems to play chamber music at the biggest show in the world.

Chamber music is great for auditioning. Most million dollar systems can’t reproduce it.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Both the FM and Clarysis rooms sounded very good.

Hifideluxe actually had quite a few good sounding rooms/ product, the above stood out.

Thumbs up to FM Acoustics for also providing a very professional presentation and great musical selections! Many exhibitors should visit FM and take some notes as to how to present their product!

Exactly .

Fm acoustics plays real world music

Not like some other brands who play safe ping ping music .

 

[andromedaaudio]

XPE I am not familiar with them. I own customized speakers that are not readily available like most big brand speakers so I think I know where you are coming from. Just back from Munich and I heard some wonderful speakers but many despite the price and hype I would not favour.

If you are ever around Brussels you can have a listen.
Unfortunately they need a custom room , i never opened them up completely.
The bass can actually be frightening on movies like Avatar , Heat, Jurrasic park.
You can hear what a large 40 mm hpl braced monocoque design can do.

 

[tima]

My Munich 2019 report is mostly classical, with a bit of rock and jazz thrown in

Munich 2019 Video Coverage – Zero Distortion

zero-distortion.org

Thanks for that. Looking back - only 5 years - it was very much a different time and with a different set of choices made. Lot's of WE didn't hurt. I'm guessing ESD played classical at this year's show. I ask what happened between then and now? Given the brands that have come on the scene since 2019 is there really any progress? Is the high-end devolving?

 

[the sound of Tao]

My Munich 2019 report is mostly classical, with a bit of rock and jazz thrown in

Munich 2019 Video Coverage – Zero Distortion

zero-distortion.org

Nice thanks Ked… plenty of good music…, people with hair and the ESD horns are at $239k and not 1.2million or 4 million with the extra speshal paint. The ensuing lockdown plague years have a lot to answer for it seems.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Thanks for that. Looking back - only 5 years - it was very much a different time and with a different set of choices made. Lot's of WE didn't hurt. I'm guessing ESD played classical at this year's show. I ask what happened between then and now? Given the brands that have come on the scene since 2019 is there really any progress? Is the high-end devolving?

Death spiral or just senescence?

 

[bonzo75]

Thanks for that. Looking back - only 5 years - it was very much a different time and with a different set of choices made. Lot's of WE didn't hurt. I'm guessing ESD played classical at this year's show. I ask what happened between then and now? Given the brands that have come on the scene since 2019 is there really any progress? Is the high-end devolving?

It wasn’t a different time. It is the person in the room, not the system that matters in the video or text report

 

[morricab]

Chamber music is great for auditioning. Most million dollar systems can’t reproduce it.

which speakers are playing here?

 

[andromedaaudio]

Regarding alsyvox .
Best i have heard them was in 2022 on the small Jadis 30 watters .

Just an idea and that goes for every manufacturer give VTL a shot .
High power push pull rules.

Ps i m talking long term listening home environment good .
Controlled show "ping ping " wears out quit fast

 

[tima]

Death spiral or just senescence?

the 8-Ball says: Better not tell you now

 

[tima]

Since 2019, it is interesting to see how many new expensive turntables have come on the market from manufacturers who have no turntable history: Nagra, Aries Cerat, Gryphon, OMA, Esoteric, KLA ...
What's up with that?

 

[bonzo75]

Since 2019, it is interesting to see how many new expensive turntables have come on the market from manufacturers who have no turntable history: Nagra, Aries Cerat, Gryphon, OMA, Esoteric, KLA ...
What's up with that?

Gryphon used brinkmann

 

[bonzo75]

which speakers are playing here?

The hORNs Universum is playing with 5 hours on a new Hana ML, a GM70 which while an excellent 14w amp underpowers it slightly, and the speaker is not in its usual place as the Lowther/Beyma cone speaker is in its place. 4k Chinese TT with arm combineD

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Death spiral or just senescence?

Since 2019, it is interesting to see how many new expensive turntables have come on the market from manufacturers who have no turntable history: Nagra, Aries Cerat, Gryphon, OMA, Esoteric, KLA ...
What's up with that?

Fear of Missing out of the last "gravy" train..... Before the stock market gets a big correction

 

[Verdier]

Since 2019, it is interesting to see how many new expensive turntables have come on the market from manufacturers who have no turntable history: Nagra, Aries Cerat, Gryphon, OMA, Esoteric, KLA ...
What's up with that?

They are also trying to get a slice of the analogue pie. That's basically okay.

Above all, I wonder what's wrong with the people who buy these things. Sooner or later, I will also have a larger TT or one that is perfectly constructed in more areas than my sweet little Platine Verdier. And I have no problem with the fact that it may cost 50k or 75k or even 100k - but with all TTs that are expensive, I expect the "problem areas" of analogue scanning to be dealt with somehow ... so: not one, but several.

I can't see that with some TTs. I expect a TT from 50k (well, actually I expect it from 30k) at least,

- that the drive is kept away from seismic movements
- and that the platter is somehow decoupled from the turntable (air, oil, magnetism).

In addition, at least one of the following points should be implemented:
- the turntable cannot transmit vibrations to the tonearm (e.g. air-bearing tonearm)
- or the drive works in some way so that it cannot transmit vibrations (see Esoteric, Aries Cerat)
- or the drive has extremely good synchronisation.

I do not recognise such approaches in Gryphon or Nagra, to name just a few examples. To break it down to a general statement: You can sell audiophiles anything at any price.