The World's Finest Audio Brands at HIGH END 2023

The world’s finest audio brands at the Munich HIGH END show

If you’re travelling to the MOC in Munich this week* for HIGH END 2023, don’t miss the latest delights from all the eminent audio brands whose products are distributed in the UK exclusively by Absolute Sounds.

 

*And if you’re not, drop me a line if you’d like to know more about the most extraordinary new high-end audio equipment on the planet!

ARTESANIA AUDIO 

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM E223

 

You may not realise how much difference a dedicated audio equipment support can make until you try one made by Artesania Audio – every detail is meticulously engineered to unlock maximum performance from the components placed on its shelves. Artesania will be present in various rooms at HIGH END 2023, as turntable and audio electronics manufacturers use its peerless supports to demonstrate their latest creations.

AUDIO RESEARCH

 

HALL 2 – STAND F09

 

With new ownership and fresh investment secured, the American gods of valve-based audio show off the glorious I/50 integrated amp (pictured above) in all its colour options, as well as the forthcoming Reference 320M mono power amp.

CONSTELLATION AUDIO

 

ATRIUM 3.1 – ROOM D105

 

The much-lauded, astronomically named high-end audio dream team returns to Munich for HIGH END 2023. Experience Constellation’s exceptional amplification driving Wilson Audio Alexx V speakers, combined with a dCS digital source, TechDAS turntable, Transparent cables and Artesania equipment supports. What an amazing system!

COPLAND

 

HALL 3 – STAND M02-2/M03-1/M03-2

 

Denmark’s finest exponent of the audio arts shows off its fabulous new CTA 407 integrated valve amplifier (pictured above) alongside its highly acclaimed trio of solid-state and hybrid integrated amps.

DAN D’AGOSTINO

 

ATRIUM 3.1 – ROOM D111

 

Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems unveils its best-ever integrated amp, and therefore probably the finest solid-state integrated in the world – the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier (pictured above). But that’s not all… The production version of its awesome Relentless 800 Mono Amplifier, a prototype of which was displayed at last year’s show, will be demonstrated in tandem with the Relentless Preamplifier, delivering D’Agostino flagship-level performance in a more compact form than the mighty Relentless Epic 1600.

DARTZEEL

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM F213

 

Made in Switzerland with the meticulous artistry of the finest timepieces, darTZeel audio electronics are a sight to behold and an unmitigated joy to hear. The company is demonstrating its long-awaited phono cartridges and phono stage at HIGH END 2023 – a treat for discerning vinyl lovers.

DCS

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM F209

HALL 1 – STAND C13

 

Cambridge-based digital audio pioneer dCS delivers the pinnacle of digital sound with a full Vivaldi APEX stack (pictured above), partnered with Dan D’Agostino amplification and Wilson Audio Alexia V speakers. Headphone lovers should head to Hall 1, where the dCS Lina and Bartók APEX can be experienced with a range of capable cans. Numerous other brands are using dCS components to demonstrate their products at HIGH END 2023, which is testimony to the company’s peerless reputation.

DEVORE FIDELITY

 

HALL 3 – STAND K15

 

Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC, DeVore Fidelity makes loudspeakers that exude creative individuality and infectious musicality – the very embodiment of artisan craftsmanship. The company’s smallest standmount speaker, the O/baby, will be showcased alongside the even smaller micr/O bookshelf/desktop model (pictured above).

DÖHMANN AUDIO

 

ATRIUM 4.1 – ROOM F117

 

Incorporating the same vibration isolation technology as the James Webb Space Telescope, the Döhmann Helix One Mk3 turntable (pictured above) allows visitors to HIGH END 2023 to experience the summit of vinyl sound.

 

EAT

 

HALL 3 – STAND M04

 

EAT’s turntables and associated analogue products are designed and built by a specialist team in the factory owned by Pro-Ject, the world’s largest manufacturer of ‘hi-fi quality’ turntables – in terms of design ethos, the distinction between EAT and Pro-Ject is akin to that between Porsche and Volkswagen. Expect to see a range of EAT turntables, including the new C-Dur (pictured above)

FRANCO SERBLIN

 

HALL 4 – STAND T14

 

The late, great Franco Serblin – founder of Sonus Faber – is a true legend of high-end loudspeaker design, and the company that bears his name continues hislegacy. Models such as the Accordo Essence and Ktêma are as beautiful to the eye as they are to the ear, especially in their new graphite and high-gloss walnut finishes respectively. (Accordo Essence in graphite pictured above.)

HSE

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM F211

 

Swiss-based HSE is an absolute master of the phono stage, and its creations are brought to the UK via the Ten collection – personally curated by Absolute Sounds’ founder Ricardo Franassovici. HIGH END 2023 sees the debut of HSE’s new line-level preamplifier, the Masterline 8 (pictured above), utilising only the highest quality handmade Swiss components.

JADIS

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM F205

 

A glorious amalgam of polished stainless steel, gold-plated brass and glowing glass valves, amplifiers by French specialist Jadis are a sheer delight. The company celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year and will be showing special celebratory editions of two of its most famous products – “combining painting and music through a collaboration” – as well as a new power amplifier.

KRELL

 

ATRIUM 3.1 – ROOM D111

 

Legendary American high-end audio brand Krell – famed for its groundbreaking amps since the early 1980s – is showing its latest products, including the mighty KSA-i400 power amplifier (pictured above), developed to mark the company’s 40^th anniversary, and K-300p phono preamplifier.

MAGICO

 

ATRIUM 4.1 – ROOM F115

 

When it comes to ultra-high-end speakers, no manufacturer has made a bigger splash this millennium than California’s Magico. The company is demonstrating its latest floorstander, the magnificent S3 (pictured above), alongside the new SSUB subwoofer which comes complete with 3200W of built-in amplification.

 

ROBERT KODA

 

ATRIUM 4.1 – ROOM E106

 

Robert Koda is a maker of extraordinary preamplifiers and power amplifiers, personally selected for the exclusive Ten collection by Absolute Sounds’ founder, Ricardo Franassovici. Visitors to HIGH END 2023 can experience the remarkable Takumi K-160 mono power amp (pictured above) – among the finest in the world according to those in the know.

TECHDAS

 

ATRIUM 4.1 – ROOM F118

 

Exemplary Japanese engineering for vinyl addicts, incorporating air suspension, vacuum clamping and much more… Room F118 in Atrium 4.1 hosts the world debut of the Air Force 10 tonearm, including demonstrations at specific times (visit the room for more details). Various TechDAS turntables will be demonstrated in the following rooms: Atrium 3.1, Room D105; Atrium 4.1, Room E110; Atrium 4.1, Room F118; Atrium 4.1, Room F119; Atrium 4.2, Room E223.

TRAFOMATIC AUDIO

 

ATRIUM 4.2 – ROOM E215

 

A recent addition to the Absolute Sounds portfolio – via the exclusive, artisan Ten collection – Trafomatic makes valve amplifiers that shake conventions and push the sonic envelope. The new Rhapsody integrated amp (pictured above) will be demonstrated at the show

TRANSPARENT AUDIO

 

HALL 3 – STAND K01

 

US-based cable specialist Transparent will be present in various demonstration spaces at HIGH END 2023, as discerning manufacturers use its cables to ensure theiraudio creations perform at their very best.

WESTERN ELECTRIC

 

HALL 4 – STAND U02

 

Established in 1869, America’s oldest audio company has returned with the 91E (pictured above) – an awesome integrated valve amp utilising the world-famous Western Electric 300B valves. Check it out at HIGH END 2023.

WILSON AUDIO

 

ATRIUM 3.1 – ROOM D111

 

The doyen of ultra-high-end American loudspeakers is present at the show via German distributor Audio Reference, whose usual large space in Atrium 3.1 will include the ‘4 Seasons: Winter’ edition of the Chronosonic XVX, alongside the Alexx V and Sasha DAW. Elsewhere at the show, discerning audio electronics manufacturers including dCS, Constellation, Nagra, VTL and Esoteric are using Wilson Audio speakers such as the splendid Alexia V (pictured above) to demonstrate their latest high-end creations.

ABOUT HIGH END 2023
Held at the MOC in Munich, the HIGH END show is now firmly established as Europe’s premier annual showcase dedicated to high-performance audio equipment. This year’s show takes place between the 18th and 21st of May. For more information, click here

ABOUT ABSOLUTE SOUNDS
Absolute Sounds is the UK’s leading importer and distributor of high-performance audio equipment from the world’s most prestigious brands. Founded in 1978 by Ricardo Franassovici, Absolute Sounds samples the finest audio dishes from around the globe and brings them to your table in perfect combination, for a uniquely satisfying musical experience. For more information, visit absolutesounds.com