High End 2006

                                      Robert Jorgensen

It was pouring down when we boarded the plane but by the time we
touched down in Munich the sun was shining. Even though the sun wasn't
present all the time and we got wet once, overall it was a nice visit
to Munich and we especially enjoyed High End 2006.

We still miss the wonderful surroundings of The Hotel Kempinski in
Gravensbruch outside Frankfurt a bit. So many years of visiting such
a beautiful place leaves one with only good memories. But the new show
facilities at the MOC in Munich have somehow imbued the show with a
new elan.

It was the 25th time High End was held and this without any interruptions. We, and most certainly the High End Society, qualify this is a record, perhaps even a world record. As far as it is
known no other exhibition has been running for so long.

During the press conference Thomas Heinze, who for many years were
Pioneers face in hi-fi and who by the way always used to run excellent
demo with loads of good music, reminded us and the exhibitors that in
spite of all the wonderful gadgetry the music should remain the goal
and purpose. We agree with him.

We'll jump straight into the fray and tell you about the exhibits that
really caught our attention and where music was reproduced in such a
way as to make us sit up and listen, get goose pimples or simply just
get a huge smile on our faces.

Aurum Titan
Quadral is one of the solid German brands which have been delivering
quality speakers since the early '70s. This year they showed the 7th
incarnation of their top of the line speaker the 'Aurum Titan' which
line (Titan) has been in the market for 25 years.

One feature that has been a constant is that Aurum like to use ribbon tweeters. They have been designing and using these from the very beginning. Nothing has changed in this regard for the new version of the Titan.

The new ribbon tweeter is quite large in comparison to other systems enabling them to mate it with the unusually (for an audiophile speaker) large midrange. I personally think they have done an excellent job here since many people do not realise quite how much energy is transferred in the lower midrange. The bass unit is loaded
both front and back. At the back with a reflex enclosure and from the
front by a pressure chamber. Both the bass and midrange units are
utilizing Altima cones which are made using aluminum, titanium and
magnesium for better resonance and break-up control. Very advanced
and the short listening session I had with them really seem to bear
out the claims for the speaker.

In terms of looks you can discuss its beauty. I personally like it
but the best with dark wood. I suspect I might have a hard time
convincing my wife to allow into the living room.

It certainly plays with authority and is a very impressive performer
and if you get a chance I would definitely recommend a serious listen.
Considering the technology involved and the quality of the sound I
would say it is a pretty good buy.


MBL
         

Well I just spend some time listening to the big MBL's in Munich using
two of the second largest stereo amps to bi-amp. Full MBL Chain.

With all the usual provisory about shows etc... it sounded good (as it
should at that price). It was indeed a bit on the bright side, but
that could easily be explained by the large glass wall behind the
system.

You had a tonally pleasing coherency from a number of different
listening positions. There was a good sense of space and a large
sense of depth, which of course is what you would expect with speakers
radiating equally in all directions. The sense of depth is to a large
degree created by the reflections from the front wall and is in my
opinion related to speaker/room artefacts and not necessarily anything
to do with the recording at all.

I listened with an acquaintance who observed that he felt that the
system compressed dynamics (he really felt they should have been using
their largest amps). Having brought along "Nojima plays List" and
having had the chance to listen to a couple of tracks I feel he could
be right in this.

Dipoles and speakers like the MBLs create their own space and of
course this is an illusion. If you like it, just fine, but I don't
think you should have any ideas about it being correct in any real
sense.

A fine and beautiful system with a high perceived pride of ownership
value I would say.


Wilson Audio showed the relatively new Duetta which is specifically
designed to perform well in relative closeness to a wall. For a
Wilson it is a quite small speaker which could be placed on a sturdy
shelf. Here in Munich it was played on stands using very nice
ancillary equipments from Viola and Spectral electronics. To us they
sounded like we have come to expect Wilson speakers to sound with a
clear family resemblance and delivering an impressive performance on
both jazz, rock and classical music.


       

Duevel we have seen and listened to on many occasions over the years.
Mostly known for their relatively easy driven 360° radiation speakers
often used with smaller tube amps they have a deservedly growing
reputation. This year they were showing the "Bella Luna" which have
won many accolades in both Germany and the US.

This year focus was also given to the little new "Duevel Planets",
which is small fun and well playing speaker that we none the less
probably would not call HighEnd. But just like its bigger siblings it
radiates in the round. In stead of radiating against one or two cones
it uses two balls (planets) to disperse the sound and it works like a
dream. You get an even radiation over a large area and we like the
speaker which is a lot of fun and for many could be a superior
life-style accessory at about 600€.

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