Munich Hi-End 2019 Photos and Commentary

**Al M.** · May 10, 2019, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Bullshit. I’ve now heard it 10 times, finally on familiar speakers. OK, no MSB.

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No, it's NOT bullshit, Mike. What I said about show conditions is true. If you've heard it nine times outside of show conditions, maybe.

There are also people who have heard Magico speakers 20 times, show conditions or not, and swear they are bad. You and I know that this is not true at all. It's all very sensitive to set-up. Or would you call what I said in this last paragraph about Magico also bullshit? No, you wouldn't. There you have it, Mike.

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Al M.

No, it's NOT bullshit, Mike. What I said about show conditions is true. If you've heard it nine times outside of show conditions, maybe.

There are also people who have heard Magico speakers 20 times, show conditions or not, and swear they are bad. You and I know that this is not true at all. It's all very sensitive to set-up. Or would you call what I said in this last paragraph about Magico also bullshit? No, you wouldn't. There you have it, Mike.

These guys that preach about show conditions need to actually get out and hear shit. Reminds me of another forum where they talk shit, but don’t know shit. Fly across the globe and then we will talk. It’s not that good. Not even close to MSB. Ten times I’m unimpressed. I held final judgement until hearing with familiar speakers. Have you actually heard it multiple times? I have. No go. There is just as good for way less. You own it.

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**Al M.** · May 10, 2019, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

These guys that preach about show conditions need to actually get out and hear shit. Reminds me of another forum where they talk shit, but don’t know shit. Fly across the globe and then we will talk. It’s not that good. Not even close to MSB. Ten times I’m unimpressed. I held final judgement until hearing with familiar speakers. Have you actually heard it multiple times? I have. No go. There is just as good for way less. You own it.

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Mike, calm down. I don't own TotalDAC, nor did I ever plan to.

What I said about show conditions stands.

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Al M.

Mike, calm down. I don't own TotalDAC, nor did I ever plan to.

What I said about show conditions stands.

How many shows have you been to? An experienced ear can definitely find shows invaluable.

My point was your DAC is just as good for a hell of a lot less. I’m sure you don’t disagree.

I’ve never found TD anything special.

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**Kuoppis** · May 10, 2019, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Superb sounding! AG’s main competitor!

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Did you notice the ion tweeters?

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**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Did you notice the ion tweeters?

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Didn’t specially. Was just listening. Thought they were excellent. Afraid to ask the price.

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**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 04:41 PM

A day 2 teaser (while I upload the other videos and photos). NOTE: I’ve incorporated the videos WITH the photos this time.

https://imgur.com/a/Bw0cC9j

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**KeithR** · May 10, 2019, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Videos Day 1 - first video is the day before the show opens:

https://imgur.com/a/RbMyiyA

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awesome! thanks again Mike.

**Al M.** · May 10, 2019, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

A day 2 teaser (while I upload the other videos and photos). NOTE: I’ve incorporated the videos WITH the photos this time.

https://imgur.com/a/Bw0cC9j

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Thanks, Mike!

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 05:01 PM

Note the non-audiophile music in the Goebel room. They handed me the iPad.

Munich Hi-End 2019 Photos and Commentary

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**Bobvin** · May 10, 2019, 05:47 PM

Mike, if you find “Diesis” speakers, please take a moment to listen—horn with open baffle design. I heard them in NYC @ Bob’s Rhapsody location and was gobsmacked.

**Adyc** · May 10, 2019, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

How many shows have you been to? An experienced ear can definitely find shows invaluable.

My point was your DAC is just as good for a hell of a lot less. I’m sure you don’t disagree.

I’ve never found TD anything special.

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I totally agree. I actually owned TD DAC before. It is totally overrated. Construction is amateurish.

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Mike, if you find “Diesis” speakers, please take a moment to listen—horn with open baffle design. I heard them in NYC @ Bob’s Rhapsody location and was gobsmacked.

Sure.

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Adyc

I totally agree. I actually owned TD DAC before. It is totally overrated. Construction is amateurish.

Finally, some common sense! Agreed!

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 06:04 PM

All videos from day 2:

https://imgur.com/a/1aGj5Uy

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**Al M.** · May 10, 2019, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Adyc

I totally agree. I actually owned TD DAC before. It is totally overrated. Construction is amateurish.

Well, that's good to know that you and Mike agree, one less DAC on my potential list. I was not claiming that TotalDac is or must be any good, never heard it, I was just having doubts about show conditions.

**steinkrieg** · May 10, 2019, 07:18 PM

Great pics and videos! whew... almost easier to pick what is "not best in show". Amazing stuff all around.

**Audio 1** · May 10, 2019, 07:29 PM

Mike what did you think of the Avid speakers?

**AVphile** · May 10, 2019, 07:55 PM

I don't know -- I think that they're sort of cute!

**cmarin** · May 10, 2019, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Adyc

I totally agree. I actually owned TD DAC before. It is totally overrated. Construction is amateurish.

Interesting. What TD DAC did you you own?

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**Dguitarnut** · May 10, 2019, 08:59 PM

Great show coverage, thanks.
Such caliber of gear is humbling. Those MBLs are so impressive!

**Mike** · May 10, 2019, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Audio 1

Mike what did you think of the Avid speakers?

I never really listened. I was more focused on his new Avid made cartridges and turntables. I am supposed to head back tomorrow or Sunday to talk to Conrad about some marketing plans, so I’ll give them a listen then.

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**joeinid** · May 10, 2019, 09:47 PM

Did I miss the new Luxman preamp (CL1000) to match the Luxman MQ-300 amp?

i don’t remember seeing photos. Sorry if I missed it Mike

**AudioSalon** · May 11, 2019, 02:04 AM

deleted.

**nonesup** · May 11, 2019, 02:43 AM

And the SIA30, is it really as good as some have commented?

**Musicfirst** · May 11, 2019, 03:30 AM

Mike

Any sign of Metrum Acoustics? I like their gear but I am wondering if they may be fading into the sunset?

Also, like the design change of the Dynaidio C60(?) they are FINALLY getting away from that damn double tweeter config and I love the new weird wave guide thingy. Could you discern anything about their contribution in the Audionet room?

**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by nonesup

And the SIA30, is it really as good as some have commented?

You mean Bodhi?

It’s very good. Very smooth and organic sounding. Tube like. Like everything, people need to listen for themselves and make sure it’s matched properly with the right speakers. I would want quite efficient speakers, unless you listen at very modest volumes. When I went in a few times, it was never “cranking”, quite modest volumes. But it may have an A/B mode option for more power. Not sure. I like the size. It’s big, but not too big. Like the size of the Pass INT-250.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Musicfirst

Mike

Any sign of Metrum Acoustics? I like their gear but I am wondering if they may be fading into the sunset?

Also, like the design change of the Dynaidio C60(?) they are FINALLY getting away from that damn double tweeter config and I love the new weird wave guide thingy. Could you discern anything about their contribution in the Audionet room?

Yes. They sounded good. The new Audionet sound is very good. New Dyn’s sound very good too.

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**Kuoppis** · May 11, 2019, 04:11 AM

Would be interested to hear the new Audionets, if they now got rid of their excess sharpness.

But on the new Dyns I have to disagree from my personal taste pont of view. Found them really awful last year. YMMV.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Did I miss the new Luxman preamp (CL1000) to match the Luxman MQ-300 amp?

i don’t remember seeing photos. Sorry if I missed it Mike

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**matt_zak** · May 11, 2019, 05:05 AM

How are the new Chord amps? Unless I've missed it you haven't posted any pictures of them.

**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 05:15 AM

Day 5 of solid listening. My thoughts:

One of the lowest SN ratio I’ve seen, creates the blackest backgrounds, which gives the soundstage much more depth and allows the music to just float in the air.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by matt_zak

How are the new Chord amps? Unless I've missed it you haven't posted any pictures of them.

Check the Imgur posts. Lots of Chord amp pics. Sounding good!

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**joeinid** · May 11, 2019, 05:21 AM

OMG, beautiful!

Thank you Mike

Originally Posted by Mike

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 05:29 AM

(This is a driver on top. 5khz up)

Rear firing adjustable tweeters.

I remain extremely impressed with these. Active. DSP. Ceramic drivers, Diamond tweeter.

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**nonesup** · May 11, 2019, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

You mean Bodhi?

It’s very good. Very smooth and organic sounding. Tube like. Like everything, people need to listen for themselves and make sure it’s matched properly with the right speakers. I would want quite efficient speakers, unless you listen at very modest volumes. When I went in a few times, it was never “cranking”, quite modest volumes. But it may have an A/B mode option for more power. Not sure. I like the size. It’s big, but not too big. Like the size of the Pass INT-250.

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Do they have enough power to move the Rockport Avior with which they were paired?

**Buch73** · May 11, 2019, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Still the best system in the world IMO.

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Heard it 2 times now, but far far away from sweet spot due to many people . But still sounds very nice. Will give it a 3rd try later today.

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**VT Skier** · May 11, 2019, 08:38 AM

Lyravox looks very interesting, especially the Karlos, which is like an updated Devore O/96. Almost the same dimensions and weight.

Not a lot of info on their website though.

I'd love to know the frequency response.

**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 10:06 AM

New VIVA DAC.

$15,000 Euros estimated price. Full PCM/DSD capabilities.

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**Kingsrule** · May 11, 2019, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Day 5 of solid listening. My thoughts:

One of the lowest SN ratio I’ve seen, creates the blackest backgrounds, which gives the soundstage much more depth and allows the music to just float in the air.

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I see PRO ISL being used as input. What was the source, files or stream?

**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 10:31 AM

Excellent sounding room.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Kingsrule

I see PRO ISL being used as input. What was the source, files or stream?

Roon Nucleus+ with files stored and Transport.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 11:31 AM

The speakers are $275,000 Euros. But it gets you the symphony in your room. Listening to Fanfare for the Common Man and it was mind blowing.

As one guy said, you can spend three times as much and get shit.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 11:41 AM

Best three speakers I ever heard in my life:

MBL 101 XTreme
AG Trio XD with 6 basshorn stack
Alsyvox Caravaggio Full

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**tube-vds** · May 11, 2019, 12:07 PM

My favorites

Michael Fremer put on "stairway to heaven" - great sound.

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**Mike** · May 11, 2019, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by tube-vds

My favorites

Michael Fremer put on "stairway to heaven" - great sound.

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Both were excellent. I heard Lee Zeppelin Whole Lot of Love on the old WE System. Heard Stimela on the Kiwero’s.

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**joeinid** · May 11, 2019, 01:44 PM

Awesome

**laynesaddiction** · May 11, 2019, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by audio.bill

AXPONA has become the largest audio expo in North America with about 200 exhibits. Munich is the largest in the world and many times larger, I've heard with about 500 exhibits.

IMHO regardless of the number of exhibits and with no disrespect to AXPONA, Munich has a vibe, pace, and environment that is untouched by any show I have been to in the USA. Indeed as audio.bill points out and Mike's feet are probably complaining to him, the sheer size is much larger than anything in the USA, but for me the whole experience and energy is well above that of any other show. It is insane how immense and awesome the Munich show is all at the same time.

**kzhtoo** · May 11, 2019, 02:17 PM

Great coverage as always, Mike. Thanks a lot. Just got an agreement with my wife that we will be in Munich this time next year.

**Dizzie** · May 11, 2019, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

The speakers are $275,000 Euros. But it gets you the symphony in your room. Listening to Fanfare for the Common Man and it was mind blowing.

As one guy said, you can spend three times as much and get shit.

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