Hifi Pig

Chord Electronics is showing two new proprietary-tech amplifiers at High End 2016, including the highly anticipated complementary power amp for the Hugo TT DAC (Room C122, Atrium 3) 

The TToby is a new desktop stereo power amplifier designed to complement the Hugo TT DAC (pictured) and take advantage of its digital preamp functionality. The TToby has been created using the same form factor as the Hugo TT and its introduction enables desktop audio lovers to create a Chord system where space is tight.

The new TToby (around £2,995 and available August/late summer) will offer Chord’s proprietary amplifier technology and deliver 130 watts into a four-ohm load. The Hugo TT and TToby combination, allows music lovers to enjoy the benefits of Chord’s DAC technology via headphones and loudspeakers, giving complete flexibility within busy households. TToby offers both balanced and unbalanced inputs to complement the Hugo TT’s outputs, and benefits from Chord’s famous switch-mode power supplies.

The new SPM1050MkII is a 200-watt stereo power amp which introduces a raft of internal upgrades, plus a number of aesthetic improvements over its predecessor. The new MkII version, which will be priced at £4,995 and is available now, benefits from reduced output distortion and improvements to capacitance for a bigger, cleaner power delivery, says the companys recent press release.

The new SPM1050MkII uses the latest low-distortion amplifier circuitry and features four proprietary lateral-structure dual-die MOSFETs, enabling the amp to drive a wide range of difficult loudspeaker loads. The MkII version also includes greater isolation on the mains transformer, to reduce interference.

Aesthetic improvements include a new vented aluminium lid, akin to the DSX1000 streamer, plus a new piano-black side panel option over the Integra legs, giving the power amp a fresh, contemporary look. The amp will be performing at High End alongside the flagship DAVE DAC/preamp, using Bowers and Wilkins 803 D3s — it should be quite a performance!

Lector Strumenti Audio will be presenting their new “R-series” at this year’s High-End Munich and you will have the opportunity to enjoy their products in their demo room, in a relaxing environment, “with a bit of Italian taste”. The demo room will be booth R01 demo room P03, Halle 4,  at the High End Exhibition.

Lector Strumenti Audio has been pioneering hybrid technology since 1982, designing and introducing in the market the very first tube-based, Audio CD player and DAC back in 1989. Ever since, their product  portfolio has been growing.

The High-End show in Munich is always a big event for T+A and 2016 is no exception, with this year’s show seeing the launch of the all new E-Series 1000 audio electronics and a totally new range of loudspeakers – Pulsar.

The All New 1000 R Series consists of three products – R 1000 E music receiver, PA 1000 E integrated amplifier and MP 1000 E DAC / network client.  Featuring the latest music streaming technology (including integrated streaming apps such as TIDAL, DEEZER and qobuz) and digital audio technology, the all-new E-Series 1000 showcases T+A’s long heritage of combining the latest digital audio technology with trusted analogue audio techniques.

T+A has a long heritage of creating exceptional loudspeakers and this year’s High End see’s the launch of the all new Pulsar 20 range.  Featuring a floorstanding model (ST 20) and stand mount model (R 20), each model is finished in black or white high gloss lacquer.

You’ll find them in Atrium 3 – Room D 102 and D 105

Concrete Audio will  present its exceptionally different concept of loudspeakers made of concrete from 5th – 8th May in Munich at High-End.

The company will premiere of their new subwoofer S1, showcase the audiophile floorstander N1 and the ultra flat on-wall speaker F1.

Nils Lofgren had the following to say about the the N1 loudspeaker “Concrete Audio is not only referring to the material the speakers are made of but also to the sound, being just that, concrete. I have never in my life heard Chet Baker sound so good! If you are looking for concrete sound, check out Concrete Audio.”, so they should make for an interesting listen.

Concrete Audio will be in Hall 3, Booth N04, MOC Munich.

At this year’s High End, MELCO will be demonstrating the latest addition to its range – the N1ZH60.  A 6Tb HDD version of the SSD N1ZS10, the N1ZH60 offers significantly more storage space at a very competitive price.

With music files accessible via either LAN to a streaming player or USB to an off-board DAC, all MELCO Digital Music Libraries maintain music files in native form.  For those with CD libraries wanting to catalogue their music onto a stand-alone device, MELCO’s new CD Import feature rips an exact copy of the CD to the library, allowing listeners to enjoy their music collections in bit-perfect quality without having to leave the comfort of their armchair.

Melco can be found at Hall 3 – Stand L03/H05. 

Soundsmith will be showing some new products during the Munich HIGH END show next week, including a special “asymmetrical loading topology” tonearm called ALTO that was designed by Frank Schröder and is being built in the USA by Soundsmith.

Also being introduced will be Soundsmith’s Mk. III version of the Zephyr high-output cartridge, and the “Star” version of their low output Zephyr “MIMC” cartridge, now sporting a laser-drilled sapphire cantilever and nude Contact Line diamond.

Both Peter Ledermann and Chris Sommovigo will be there at the Acoustic Signature booth in Hall 4 on the ground floor, just to the right of the entrance in booth T02.

Atoll, the French electronics manufacturer will be at this year’s High-End Munich show along with their German distributor AUDIUM  at Atrium 4,  1st Floor, Booth F107.

There will be a presentation of the IN400se (pictured) with  their CD400se, demos with the company’s All-in-One SDA200  and also demos with the Mini Line HD120/MA100/MS100 and new MD100. 

Atoll will also be showing the 400 series (PR400 & AM400) and SDA200 with the ATOHM loudspeakers GT Series (GT1 – GT2 and GT3) at Atrium 4, 2nd Floor – Booth F229.

Read more news about Munich High End 2016 Here and Hifi Pig’s coverage of last years High End Munich here

Computer Audio Design will be at the Munich High End Show again this year with Boenicke Audio in Atrium 4, Room F215. They are sure to have their update CAD 1543 DAC on demonstration and the little Boenicke Audio speakers really are a bit of a revelation in what is acheivable from such a diminutive package. 

Read more news about Munich High End 2016 Here and Hifi Pig’s coverage of last years High End Munich here