High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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05 / 22 / 25

Part 3: AXPONA 2025 Highlights, Must-See Audiophile Innovations, And Top High-End Audio Trends
12th And 14th Floors: Schaumburg's annual high-end audio event for USA audiophiles.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker 
It has been several weeks since my AXPONA 2025 Part 2 show coverage was posted, as I was very busy with my extensive Montreal Audiofest 2025 show report. My attention was diverted to completing the Montreal Audiofest report at the request of my Canadian friends. It is now past the end of AXPONA, and much attention is now focused on the the globally important must-attend HIGH END 2025 show in Munich. Enjoy the Music.com has also found a way to produce Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 high-end audio show coverage this year. There is still value in continuing the written AXPONA 2025 show report in that I visited almost every room, something that few, if any, other coverage has yet to accomplish. I hate the thought of participants spending the large sum of money necessary to participate in this show, and having no one even acknowledge their presence. I am grateful to have a way of picking out subtle details that others may have overlooked, and a strong historical perspective that goes back many decades.
---> Part 3: AXPONA 2025 Highlights, Must-See Audiophile Innovations, And Top High-End Audio Trends.

HIGH END 2015 Munich Show Report
High End Society Munich Germany
Welcome to Enjoy the Music.com's 15th year covering High End Society's HIGH END show. This year's HIGH END 2015 Munich audiophile event is promoted by the prestigious High End Society in Germany. HIGH END 2015 is the industry's international key exhibition for the high-quality consumer electronics. This audiophile and high-end audio event has been held an impressive 34 times in succession; and 2015 marks the 12th time at the MOC Munich. This makes HIGH END the oldest specialist exhibition in its field in Europe, now seen throughout the world as the central and most established hub of the industry. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, suppliers and retailers from all over the world meet in Munich every year to showcase their newest products. This year, more than 400 exhibitors with about 900 brands from all over the world were presenting their products and services.
---> Munich HIGH END Show Report 2015.

HIGH END 2000 Frankfurt Audiophile Show Report
Welcome to the world's largest HIGH END 2000 show coverage from Frankfurt Germany! Audio enthusiasts from all across Europe, both trade and consumer, have gathered here from June 1st through June 4th, 2000 in Frankfurt Germany to attend the HIGH END at the Kempinski Hotel. Attendees, were able to listen to the great Hi-Fi and Home Theatre brands many have only read about in magazines and on the Internet. This was also a great chance to meet the legends and famous names in the industry. Now in its 19th year, the HIGH END 2000 show took place on the grounds of the Hotel Kempinski in Neu-Isenburg (which is near the Frankfurt airport). Germany is probably one of the most important markets worldwide for many high-end audio manufacturers. To be successful here can also mean to become thriving the world over! For that reason, this is a not to be missed opportunity.
---> High End Society Frankfurt 2000 Audiophile Show.

05 / 21 / 25

WBT Celebrates Precision In Connection
For The Past 40 Years of WBT Celebrating WBT's legacy as it looks forward to a future of limitless possibilities.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
For over 40 years, WBT has built its reputation as a benchmark for innovation, precision, and audiophile excellence. Founded in 1985 by Wolfgang B. Thörner in Essen, the company set out to eliminate the weak link in high-end audio systems by developing superior connectors. Their journey is marked by a series of technological leaps that not only revolutionized connection quality but also redefined manufacturing standards in the audio industry. The launch of the first WBT RCA connectors established new production quality and precision, directly addressing the issues in traditional hi-fi connections, In 1987, WBT introduced the first binding post featuring a clamping mechanism, further enhancing the connector reliability. By 1991, WBT's Patented Circular Contact System (CCS) was a groundbreaking technology enabled a loss-free, permanent connection without the need for soldering or stripping cables, ensuring a direct, secure, and efficient signal flow.
---> WBT Celebrates Precision In Connection At HIGH END 2025.

Cary Audio SLP-300 Preamplifier And DMS-300A Streaming Integrated Amplifier
Hi-Res Music streaming for the modern music lover.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Founded in 1989 by Dennis Had, Cary Audio proudly designs and builds their audiophile products in North Carolina, USA, and at this year's HIGH END 2025 show in Munich are celebrating their new SLP-300 Preamplifier and DMS-300A Streaming Integrated Amplifier. Cary Audio founders were devoted audio enthusiasts who set out to create high-performance equipment — with an early focus on vacuum tube amplifiers — that would define their standard for sonic purity. Originally based in Cary, North Carolina, the company earned acclaim for its dedication to delivering sound quality with classic vacuum tube designs. At the heart of their presentation at HIGH END 2025 is a dynamic active system engineered for uncompromising sound quality featuring the SLP-05 Preamplifier, CAD-211FE monoblock vacuum tube amplifiers, and DMS-800PV Network Streamer / Hi-Res DAC.
---> Cary Audio SLP-300 Pre And DMS-300A Streaming Int. Amp. At HIGH END 2025.

Revox Offers Alice Cooper Limited Edition Reel-To-Reel And Turntable
School's in for summer music lovers and hard rock audiophiles alike.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Classic audiophiles get a taste of hard rock music with Revox's latest reel-to-reel tape unit and vinyl LP turntable. In concert with Revox, Horch House is offering the brand new Alice Cooper album Paranormal as master tape and also as master vinyl LP. The new Alice Cooper Limited Edition from Revox is an exclusive collaboration that fuses exceptional audiophile technology with the unmistakable style and rock‐star charisma of Alice Cooper. Designed to deliver a true studio sound experience at home, this limited edition series brings together classic analog audio quality and a bold, collectible design that stands out both visually and haptically. The aim of this special collaboration is to combine Revox's renowned high-fidelity audio engineering with Alice Cooper's unmistakable artistic persona. The result is a product that not only promises studio-quality sound but also acts as a unique piece of rock memorabilia, offering fans and audiophiles a chance to own a piece of audio history.
---> Revox Offers Alice Cooper Limited Edition Reel-To-Reel And Turntable At HIGH END 2025.

Triangle HiFi BR04 Monitor With DVAS At HIGH END 2025
Specially-engineered Driver Vibration Absorption System smartly reduces unwanted cabinet vibrations.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Founded in 1980, Triangle HiFi's story began in the heart of Picardy, France, a region steeped in a tradition of precision manufacturing and a deep appreciation for fine acoustics. The company emerged from a passionate quest for a more authentic, natural, and immersive sound, with its roots lying in experimental speaker prototypes crafted in humble settings. With a heritage spanning over 40 years in the world of high-fidelity audio, the new Triangle HiFi BR04 two-way monitor ($626 per pair) expands on the ideas of the company's founders to combine high-fidelity performance with an accessible price point. Building on the legacy of its predecessor (the BR03), this new model BR04 monitor was engineered with a particular focus on enhancing bass performance while maintaining natural clarity and accuracy through the mid and high frequencies. The modern design incorporates a reworked cabinet — expanded in volume compared to earlier models — which assists in optimizing internal airflow while also reducing undesirable acoustic turbulence.
---> Triangle HiFi BR04 Monitor With DVAS At HIGH END 2025.

The soulution 787 Turntable Is Engineered For Audiophile Perfection
Audio Precision Redefined: Unlocking the revolution of the soulution 787 turntable.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The soulution 787 turntable (CHF 67,500 including 8.1% VAT) is designed to meet the uncompromising standards of music lovers and audiophiles. Its core innovation lies in its linear tracking design, which uses a moving platter combined with a minimally moving, pivoted tonearm. This integration reduces tracking error to a maximum of less than 0.15°, ensuring that the stylus consistently follows the groove with supreme precision, no matter where it is on the record. soulution provided Enjoy the Music.com with exacting details about their 787's platter subassembly. It is a marvel in precision! The 787 turntable bits comprises a main platter, a sub-platter featuring a low-friction sintered magnetic bearing, and a dedicated platter drive motor equipped with precious metal brushes. Here's where the fun begins as this entire assembly slides laterally on polished axles beneath the tonearm, maintaining optimal alignment throughout the vinyl LP recording.
---> The soulution 787 Turntable Is Engineered For Audiophile Perfection At HIGH END 2025.

05 / 20 / 25

Global Music Fan Frenzy: Record Revenue Sets The Stage For Live Music In 2025
The record-level of paid / deferred revenue underscores an exceptionally robust global consumer demand in Q1 for live music according to Live Nation / Ticketmaster. The quarter delivered strong overall performance, driven by an expanding supply of musical artists and heightened fan enthusiasm. Operating income reached $115 million, while the adjusted operating income was reported as $341 million — or $361 million at constant currency — affirming a healthy bottom line and resilience across the business. Deferred revenue milestones were a standout achievement in Q1, while adding debt to music lovers financial status. Event-related revenue for concerts hit an impressive $5.4 billion, marking a 24% increase compared to the previous year. Ticketmaster also contributed strongly, recording deferred revenue of $270 million, up 13% year-over-year. These figures illustrate the solid future earnings base as prepayments from consumers continue to grow.

Momentum in live music is clearly building into the 2025 summer concert season. The global stadium pipeline is up 60%, signaling significant expansion, and 95,000,000 tickets were sold across Live Nation concerts, driven largely by stadium ticket sales surging by over 80%. Early Q2 performance bolsters this narrative, with Ticketmaster transacting ticket sales for concerts up 25% and Gross Transaction Value (GTV) increasing by 45% in the first half of April. On-site spend remains resilient, confirming that demand for live events is not waning even as sell-through rates for premier shows stay strong. International growth is also fueling record performance. Concerts generated $2.5 billion in revenue and a record Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) of $7,000,000 — a welcome turnaround from a slight loss in 2024. This international boost was driven by impressive market gains within Latin America and the Asia Pacific region, with fan attendance figures reaching 22.3 million across more than 11,300 events. Demand for emerging artists remains vibrant, and Latin American fan engagement grew by over 25%.

Controversy concerning how tickets are sold and the high fees aside, Ticketmaster's results further highlight the overall strength in live music events. With Q1 revenue of $695 million and an AOI of $253 million, the division recorded 78 million fee-bearing tickets — reflecting a balanced mix where concert tickets, comprising 60% of volume, grew by 4% despite non-concert ticket volumes dipping by 9%. The early part of Q2 2025 also shows robust momentum with increased transacted ticket sales and rising GTV, buoyed by 9.5 million net new enterprise tickets signed, predominantly from international markets. Capital expenditures for 2025 are estimated at ~$950 million, with the bulk of investment allocated to expanding and enhancing venue capacity.

05 / 19 / 25

Lone Star Audio Fest 2025: The Pulse Of High-Fidelity
High-fidelity heaven at Texas' LSAF high-end audio show.
Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 Audiophile Show Coverage By Paul Schumann
Welcome to the 20th Anniversary of Lone Star Audio Fest (LASF)! For 2025, LASF moved from Dallas south to the Embassy Suites in Round Rock, which is just north of Austin. This year, LASF was brought to you by the good folks who brought you T.H.E. Show in Southern California. The Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 took place from May 2nd through 4th and was a great experience for attendees and exhibitors alike. This year, the festival collaborated with T.H.E. Show, a well-known audiophile event promoter, to create an even bigger experience for audiophiles, industry professionals, and DIY audio enthusiasts alike. High-end audio gear is all about exceptional sound quality, precision engineering, and immersive listening experiences. Whether you're an audiophile, a music producer, a music lover, or just someone who appreciates crystal-clear sound, high-end audio gear makes a huge difference in how you experience music.
---> Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 Show Report: The Pulse Of High-Fidelity.

05 / 18 / 25

Elac Debut ConneX DCB61 Monitor, Debut 3.0 Subwoofer Series, And Concentro M 807 Loudspeaker
New innovations that highlight the ongoing evolution of Elac.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Elac, a renowned global leader in high-fidelity audio solutions, is marking a pivotal moment in its history at High End 2025 with their Debut ConneX DCB61 Powered Monitor two-way speaker, Debut 3.0 Subwoofer Series in three sizes, and Concentro M 807 large floorstanding loudspeaker. The company has built its reputation on merging modern technology with timeless design, creating loudspeakers with high price-versus performance factor. With a blend of high-performance and elegant aesthetics, Elac continues to support the future of premium audio experiences for music lovers worldwide. Debut ConneX DCB61: This new all-in-one powered speaker is designed for modern lifestyles. It features cutting-edge connectivity through Bluetooth LC3 and Dolby Digital decoding, along with a 6.5" woofer paired with a waveguide tweeter to deliver expansive, naturally immersive, room-filling sound.
---> Elac Debut ConneX DCB61 Monitor, Debut 3.0 Subwoofer Series, And Concentro M 807 Loudspeaker At HIGH END 2025.

Electrocompaniet AW800M Amplifier, EC 5 Preamplifier, EMC1-MKV CD Player, And ECM1-MKII Music Streamer / Hi-Res DAC Connected To Ø Audio Verdande Loudspeakers
We welcome two renowned Norwegian audio powerhouses successfully collaborating at HIGH END 2025.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
At High End 2025, a groundbreaking collaboration between two renowned Norwegian audio powerhouses may be generating a buzz amongst some members of the press. Electrocompaniet and Ø Audio have united to launch a comprehensive home audio stereo sound system that embodies a bold declaration of innovation and engineering excellence. This ambitious showcase intertwines decades of audio heritage with modern breakthrough technology, promising an immersive listening experience unlike any other. At the core of this system at HIGH END 2025 are four state-of-the-art AW800M power amplifiers. Renowned for their robust performance and pristine clarity, these amplifiers have been meticulously engineered to deliver ample power and dynamic accuracy for every channel.
---> Electrocompaniet AW800M Amplifier, EC 5 Preamplifier, EMC1-MKV CD Player, And ECM1-MKII Music Streamer / Hi-Res DAC Connected To Ø Audio Verdande Loudspeakers At HIGH END 2025.

Estelon AURELIA, AURELIA Centre, And AURUS Loudspeakers
A philosophy of innovation and functionality with an eye towards aesthetic beauty.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Estelon, a high-end loudspeaker company who feels that aesthetics are driven by functionality and innovation, is launching their latest A-Series additions — AURELIA, AURELIA Centre, and AURUS — at HIGH END 2025 in Munich. We here at Enjoy the Music.com want to explore how every element of their design reinforces the brand's commitment to superior sound quality and innovative design. Let's take a deep dive into Estelon's latest A-Series additions, shall we.... The AURELIA is a compact two-way, passive bookshelf or standmount loudspeaker tailored for users who desire high-fidelity audio in a compact format. Its sealed box design isn't just about aesthetics; it plays a pivotal role in controlling bass and reducing unwanted resonance, ensuring the reproduction of a balanced and precise soundscape. Under the hood, two 132mm mid-range drivers, which are crafted from Egyptian Papyrus fibre-filled paper by SB Acoustics.
---> Estelon AURELIA, AURELIA Centre, And AURUS Loudspeakers At HIGH END 2025.

05 / 17 / 25

Nordost Blue Heaven 3 Series, White Lightning 3 Tonearm Cable, And QNET7 Ethernet Switch
Groundbreaking new products that reinforces the brand's commitment to high-end audio performance.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Nordost is here at HIGH END 2025 in Munich presenting a comprehensive showcase that celebrates their legacy and innovation. With a home audio stereo system featuring Wilson Audio floorstanding loudspeakers, their exhibit room was filled with a rich display of cable products and audio tweaks, including cables from the Blue Heaven 3 series along with an QNET7 Layer-2 Ethernet switch. Nordost is a pioneering American high-end audio company established in 1991 and is renowned globally for its advanced cable technologies and audio system enhancements / tweaks. Nordost focuses on crafting products that ensure pure and precise audio and video signal transmission. The company’s extensive product range includes high-performance speaker cables, interconnects (both analog and digital), HDMI cables, power distribution systems, grounding devices, and even vibration control accessories.
---> Nordost Blue Heaven 3 Series, White Lightning 3 Tonearm Cable, And QNET7 Ethernet Switch At HIGH END 2025.

Furutech Project V1-S Cables, Origin Power NCF Power Plugs, And e-TP609E NCF-N1 Power Distributor
Fantastic new high-end audio products precision-crafted by Furutech.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Furutech, a renowned manufacturer of ultra-refined analog, digital, and video cables along with related audiophile accessories, has introduced their 2025 pinnacle high-end speaker cable: the Project V1-S. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and built on the same technological platforms as other Project V1 series products (including the power cord, interconnect, tonearm, and digital cables). The Project V1-S is designed to elevate audio system performance to unprecedented levels by delivering exceptional sonic clarity, transparency, and accuracy. The Furutech Project V1-S loudspeaker cable is €15,000/set for a 2.5-meter stereo pair. Furutech was kind enough to send Enjoy the Music.com some very impressive details about this new cable in advance of HIGH END 2025. At its core, the Project V1-S employs a hybrid design combining an α (Alpha) silver-coated OCC inner conductor with an Alpha DUCC outer conductor — the same specialized copper technology found in other Project V1 products.
---> Furutech Project V1-S Cables, Origin Power NCF Power Plugs, And e-TP609E NCF-N1 Power Distributor At HIGH END 2025.

SOtM And Diretta Showcase Eunhasu OS V0.5.8
We live in an age when firmware makes all the difference.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
SOtM is hoping to make a powerful impact at HIGH END 2025 in Munich by demonstrating their latest source components, highlighting the company's commitment to delivering the "Soul Of the Music" through advanced audio technology. The HIGH END exhibition will feature SOtM products in several collaborative demonstrations with renowned names in the industry according to the company. A joint showcase with partners such as Joseph Audio, The Funk Firm, Cardas Audio, and Doshi Audio are now featuring SOtM's source devices. In partnership with Absolare and Rockport, SOtM components will be used to present a world-class audio system. Within a third exhibit room at HIGH END 2025 in Munich features Purist Audio Design, Göbel High End, Hartvig Audio, and Vitus Audio, this demonstration will highlight SOtM products as the source in a high-performance setup.
---> SOtM And Diretta Showcase Eunhasu OS V0.5.8 At HIGH END 2025.

JBL Everest, K2, Makalu, Pumori, And Ama Loudspeakers
The legendary JBL continues their excellence with five new loudspeaker designs. 
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
HARMAN Luxury Audio Group, owned by Samsung, is showcasing their world debut of three new additions to the JBL Summit Series, a breathtaking expression of JBL's most advanced loudspeaker craftsmanship. Premiering at HIGH END Munich 2025, the expanded Summit Series now spans five models including the JBL Everest and K2, plus three new designs, Makalu, Pumori, and Ama. Each loudspeaker has been design and engineered for the world's most discerning listeners. From Project Everest to the present, JBL has spent decades reaching new altitudes in acoustic innovation. The Summit Series continues that legacy — a testament to 80 years of engineering and passion for sound. With the addition of Summit Makalu, Summit Pumori, and Summit Ama, JBL offers a lineup that blends refined design, proprietary technologies, and unmatched dynamic performance. Each model is inspired by a Himalayan peak and crafted to deliver unparalleled sound reproduction that stirs emotion and reveals new layers in every recording.
---> JBL Everest, K2, Makalu, Pumori, And Ama Loudspeakers At HIGH END 2025.

HARMAN's Mark Levinson N^o 626 Dual-Mono Preamplifier, N^o 631 Monaural Amplifier, And N^o 632 Dual-Mono Amp
Three impressive amplifiers from Samsung's HARMAN division.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The Mark Levinson 600 Series is Samsung-owned HARMAN Luxury Audio Group's newest declaration in high-fidelity audio, setting the company's latest benchmark for musical fidelity, high-precision, and potent power. This launch — unveiled at HIGH END Munich 2025 here in Munich — marks a transformative evolution in the brand's storied legacy of over 50 years of sound mastery. The new Mark Levinson N^o 626 ($25,000) is a dual-monaural preamplifier that marries an all-analog signal path with a state-of-the-art digital core. At its heart lies the Precision Link III DAC capable of decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD audio through six digital inputs. Its analog section is built upon the company's Pure Path architecture. We know Enjoy the Music.com fans of analog playback will rejoice as a Pure Phono MM/MC (moving magnet and moving coil) phono stage may breathe new life into your legacy vinyl record / LP media.
---> HARMAN's Mark Levinson № 626 Dual-Mono Preamplifier, № 631 Monaural Amplifier, And № 632 Dual-Mono Amp At HIGH END 2025.

05 / 16 / 25

audioXpress' June 2025 Issue
Editorial: Tailwinds And Headwinds
Market Update: When Everything Is New!
Evolution Of Automotive Audio Tuning And Testing
Audio System Design In The Age Of Software-Defined Vehicles
Car Cabin Sound Personalization
Standardized Automotive Audio Measurements
The Ear That Talks
The Little British Monitor's Technical Design
Level, Aim, And Timing

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "Being responsible for a technology magazine implies a comprehensive effort to understand the industries and applications served. And that means understanding the users, the market segments, and trade. That is why sometimes I have to push myself to the limits and literally travel around the globe to gain a better perspective on all those things. The audio industry currently benefits from very strong tailwinds due to a convergence of technology advancements and very strong market dynamics in consumer electronics and automotive. At the core is a renewed enthusiasm for voice recognition and voice interfaces, together with significant progress in language translation. Those are powered by advancements in neural networks, machine learning that have led to Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). All those achievements require and benefit from robust audio systems at the applications level — many of which are just being devised or are in the early adoption stages. As I previously wrote, I believe language is the largest market opportunity for the audio industry — essential for augmented reality and any applications that augment our human abilities. What I have characterized as human extensions."
---> audioXpress June 2025 Issue.

Audio Research I/70 integrated, LS-2 And LS-3 Preamplifier, S-100 And S-200 Solid-State Amps, And D-80 Tube Amp
Sonic ascension into pure musical bliss via tube and solid-state amplification.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Audio Research is here at HIGH END 2025 show in Munich with many new products. Their new I/70 vacuum tube stereo integrated amplifier, LS-2 and LS-3 stereo preamplifiers, D-80 vacuum tube amplifier, plus the S-100 and S-200 solid-state amplifiers. The new I/70 ($9,950, with DAC or MM/MC Phono Card adding $1,000 each, or $1,500 for both) represents a major upgrade over its sibling. ARC wants Enjoy the Music.com to share with you that the I/50 provides a benefit in both performance and flexibility for the discerning listener. It has been meticulously engineered to serve as the heart of any high-fidelity audio system. The amplifier uses auto-biasing for 6550 output tubes, ensuring that these crucial components perform optimally and enjoy a longer lifespan. A dedicated active tube preamplifier section drives the tube amplifier stage, which may create a rich and dynamic audio experience that brings music to life (and life into music).
---> Audio Research I/70 integrated, LS-2 And LS-3 Preamplifier, S-100 And S-200 Solid-State Amps, And D-80 Tube Amp At HIGH END 2025.

SVS Stereo And Multi-Channel Immersive Music Sound System
SVS produces immersive music sound quality featuring their flagship loudspeakers.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
SVS wants Enjoy the Music.com to know they are in in full swing at HIGH END with their most impressive showcase to date! Occupying its largest exhibit space ever in Munich, SVS seeks to achieve a gloriously immersive and emotionally engaging soundscape for a true modern sound revolution. SVS is dedicating separate cabins for two-channel audiophile systems and a home theater experience for immersivephiles. The legacy stereo system (two channels) features an audio chain including a McIntosh two-channel integrated amplifier, Bluesound Node, paired Ultra Evolution Pinnacle and Bookshelf speakers, plus the SB-5000 R|Evolution subwoofer for deep bass duties. For modern music lovers, SVS is showcasing a complete surround system with a Marantz Cinema 40 unit, OPPO Blu-ray player, Ultra Evolution Titan speakers, an Ultra Evolution Center channel, Nano and Elevation speakers, and paired SB17-Ultra R|Evolution subwoofers.
---> SVS Stereo And Multi-Channel Immersive Music Sound System At HIGH END 2025.

Raidho TD3.10, X2t 25-Year Anniversary Edition, X2.6 Limited Collection By Carsten Beck, Plus TD8 And TD10 Subwoofers
High-technology design housed within beautifully handcrafted wood cabinets to achieve audio excellence.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Dantax Raidho refers to the high-end loudspeaker division of Dantax Radio A/S, a Danish company celebrated for its uncompromising approach to audio craftsmanship and engineering excellence. Founded in 1972, Dantax Radio A/S has built a formidable reputation in the premium audio market under several banners, with Raidho Acoustics standing out as the flagship line dedicated to delivering reference-class performance. We know that everyone here at Enjoy the Music.com would like to know that at the heart of Dantax Raidho is a philosophy that marries cutting-edge technology with artisanal precision. They represent a storied heritage and an unyielding passion for the art of sound. For audiophiles and music lovers alike seeking a loudspeaker system that transcends conventional boundaries, Raidho stands is one of the true testaments to what can be achieved when technology, craftsmanship, and musical passion converge.
---> Raidho TD3.10, X2t 25-Year Anniversary Edition, X2.6 Limited Collection By Carsten Beck, Plus TD8 And TD10 Subwoofers At HIGH END 2025.

Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Revelation Amplifier
When you desire the purist sound quality via top-quality Class A power.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Gryphon Audio Designs is a renowned Danish manufacturer of ultra-high-end home audio stereo sound systems known for its uncompromising commitment to sonic perfection and luxurious design. You can see Gryphon Audio reviews expertly written by Enjoy the Music.com reviewers. Founded by Flemming E. Rasmussen, the company grew out of a passion to recreate the live music experience within the home environment. Over the decades, Gryphon has built a well-respected and appreciated reputation for designing hi-fi audio equipment that combines state-of-the-art technology, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless aesthetics. Here at HIGH END 2025 in Munich, Gryphon Audio Designs is unveiling the fifth-generation Antileon-series power amplifier, known as Antileon Revelation (€38.800 / $45,500 ). This launch not only marks the evolution of a legendary product line but also celebrates significant milestones: 30 years of the Antileon marque and 40 years of Gryphon Audio Designs.
---> Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Revelation Amplifier At HIGH END 2025 At HIGH END 2025.

Audiovector R 10 Arreté Flagship Loudspeaker At HIGH END 2025
With eight bass drivers, get ready to rumble the neighbors home.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Audiovector is a celebrated, family-owned Danish manufacturer well-known for designing, developing, and handcrafting ultra high-end loudspeakers. Founded in 1979 by Ole Klifoth, the company was born out of a passion for achieving the perfect musical reproduction for global audiophiles. Today, under the leadership of Ole's son, Mads Klifoth, Audiovector continues to uphold its founding vision — producing natural-sounding speakers that deliver uncompromising sound quality, paired with meticulous craftsmanship and luxurious design. Every Audiovector product is built entirely in-house, from the custom-designed drive units to the premium high-density wood cabinets finished in exclusive materials. This integrated approach not only ensures sonic excellence but also reflects the company's deep-rooted commitment to quality and innovation. At HIGH END Munich 2025, the company proudly unveils its flagship loudspeaker — the R 10 Arreté (£127,500 per pair, $165,000, or €147,500) large floorstanding loudspeaker.
---> Audiovector R 10 Arreté Flagship Loudspeaker At HIGH END 2025.

05 / 15 / 25

Métronome Technologie DST (Digital Sharing Transport)
High-precision, Hi-Res Audio modern digital audio processing.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The new Métronome Technologie DST, or Digital Sharing Transport, is the newest high-end CD transport in Métronome's Digital Sharing product line. Designed and manufactured in France for discerning audiophiles, the DST is built to deliver an uncompromised digital signal for CD playback, ensuring the utmost clarity and purity. The chassis is precision crafted from solid steel and aluminum, the DST sports a refined, modern aesthetic available in both silver and black finishes. This robust build not only provides a premium look but also ensures durability in demanding audio setups. The DST features a touch screen display with an intuitive interface, which allows for easy navigation and control of the unit's functions... The Métronome Technologie DST (Digital Sharing Transport) is not just another CD transport me too product, far from it! It is a statement of Métronome's deep commitment to blending cutting-edge digital technology with legacy / classic physical media.
---> Métronome Technologie DST (Digital Sharing Transport) At HIGH END 2025.

Brinkmann Nyquist ONE Streaming DAC
Modern Hi-Res Music technology and TraNt system upgrades.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Brinkmann Audio is making an impact at Munich's HIGH END 2025 immersive music / audiophile show in Germany this weekend. The company is showcasing their latest innovations in high-end audio technology. Brinkmann contacted Enjoy the Music.com to share the news about the company's new Nyquist ONE Streaming DAC and other products being showcased at HIGH END 2025 in Munich. We're here to give you more details and our thoughts as high-end audio seeks to push the envelope in audio performance and design. The standout announcement from Brinkmann is their debut of the Nyquist ONE, a reimagining of their renowned Nyquist series of digital-to-analogue (DAC) processors. Building upon advanced circuit concepts from the TraNt series, the Nyquist ONE features an improved power supply and a new circuit board layout that sets a new standard for DAC technology.
---> Brinkmann Nyquist ONE Streaming DAC At HIGH END 2025.

Dan D'Agostino MAS $3,000,000 Stereo System
Achieving the power and performance of high-performance audio.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
As perhaps one of the most anticipated listening sessions during HIGH END 2025 in Munich, at the heart of this groundbreaking presentation is an awe-inspiring synergy of ultra-high-end luxurious audio components. The Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems' Relentless Preamplifier, renowned for its impeccable clarity and precision, teams up with four Epic 1600 Monoblock Amplifiers that cumulatively offer more than 6 kilowatts of raw power! Impressive, most impressive (grin). This formidable home audiophile setup is meticulously engineered to drive the Wilson Audio Master Chronosonic XVX Loudspeakers and Subsonic Subwoofers, seeking to extract every nuance from your favorite recordings. Enhanced by the digital prowess of the highly-respected dCS digital audio components, this proverbial 'match made in heaven' may transform the theoretical excellence of what is possible into a tangible, Earth-bound performance.
---> Dan D'Agostino MAS $3,000,000 Stereo System At HIGH END 2025.

Wadax Showcases Their Hi-Res Audio Studio Player Collection
Pushing the boundaries of technical sophistication in sound.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Wadax, renowned for its commitment to musical realism, has raised the bar at HIGH END 2025 show in Munich by unveiling an expanded Studio Player Collection. This latest installment introduces three pivotal components — the Studio Clock, Studio PSU, and Akasa DC Studio Cable. These Hi-Res luxury audiophile components complement the already acclaimed Studio Player. Wadax wants Enjoy the Music.com readers to know that with these additions, Wadax feel they have solidified their reputation in the high-end audio arena, offering a seamlessly integrated system that enhances both legacy analog and modern digital performance while remaining true to the company's luxury heritage. At the technical forefront, the Studio Clock boasts Wadax's proprietary True Master Clock technology — a very sophisticated evolution of their celebrated Zepto clock design from the Reference range.
---> Wadax Showcases Their Hi-Res Audio Studio Player Collection At HIGH END 2025.

Top Wing Suzaku - Red Sparrow MC Phono Cartridge Review
Perhaps the last cartridge you will ever need.
Review By Tom Lyle
A few years ago I reviewed the Van Den Hul Crimson Stradivarius phono cartridge. I began that review by expressing my love-hate relationship with phono cartridges. The love stems from my love of music, and the fact that I prefer music reproduced by vinyl, and that the phono cartridge converts vibrational energy from the grooves of the records into an electric signal and then this electrical signal is somehow converted into the music that comes forth from our speakers. The hate arises not from the fact that a very good phono cartridge can be quite expensive because it is a given that most great high-end audio gear is going to be expensive. But I hate that this expensive phono cartridge comes with a fragile stylus, and the components of this stylus are prone to breakage. Even if they aren't broken by accident, the stylus, and then the cantilever will eventually wear out.
---> Top Wing Suzaku - Red Sparrow MC Phono Cartridge Review.

Von Schweikert Audio Endeavor SE Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
Experiencing the joy of music!
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Ah, describing sound with words. Alas, I am no William Shakespeare. Yes, words matter, but the listening experience matters more. Even for a professional musician and academic, crafting a written narrative that accurately describes an aural impression will, to a fair degree, remain a flawed science. When teaching a masterclass to my percussion students, I always struggle to convey musical truth through words. Ultimately, performance is the final arbiter of musical thought, which I find myself deferring to time and again. Musical aesthetics are inherently aural expressions, "organizing sound through time" (to quote Edgard Varese) via the construct of four fundamental properties of sound: Pitch, Intensity, Duration, and Timbre. Yet, I posit to these same students that a fifth property must be acknowledged to fully comprehend music, and one that Varese most likely would have approved; that is, Space (Referencing his "Poemeelectronique," written for the Philips Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair).
---> Von Schweikert Audio Endeavor SE Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

05 / 14 / 25

This Weekend: HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show In Munich
This weekend, High End Society is set to unveil its much-anticipated HIGH END 2025 audiophile show — a veritable playground for those with an ear for perfection. The event brings together a carefully curated collection of the latest, most refined audio technology, offering an immersive experience that transcends traditional sound systems. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge hi-fi innovations, from bespoke speakers and precision-engineered amplifiers to next-generation listening devices. This is not merely an exhibition; it is a celebration of the art of sound, where every demonstration is designed to reveal the intricate craftsmanship behind each component and how these innovations redefine auditory experiences.

Beyond the dazzling array of high-end audio products and live demos at HIGH END 2025 in Munich, the audiophile show also promises a lineup of expert-led panels and intimate sessions with industry pioneers. These sessions will delve into the technical nuances and design philosophies redefining modern audiophile gear and culture. Whether you're an avid music collector, a tech aficionado, or simply passionate about the purity of sound, the HIGH END 2025 audiophile show offers a rare confluence of inspiration, innovation, and in-depth exploration into the future of audio. The event not only highlights breakthrough technology but also builds a community where shared enthusiasm for pristine sonic clarity takes center stage. Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to seeing you there!
---> Enjoy the Music.com's Exclusive HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report.

05 / 13 / 25

Part 8: Honorable Mentions And Promising Products At Montreal Audiofest 2025
Digging deep into the multitude of exhibit rooms looking for hidden audiophile treasures.
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Up until a few years ago, the high-end audio show reports of the few publications were naming a sole (single) Best of Show Award with a few close audiophile manufacturers as competitors. Early on, I broadened my view to award numerous Enjoy the Music.com Best Of Show Blue Note Awards at events, acknowledging the playing field of available rooms is never level, and not all systems were designed to achieve the same results. Over the past couple of decades, luxury audiophile shows have grown larger, and the presentations have improved over the years as presenters have honed their skills in much the same way pit crews have polished their performance in auto racing. So, a short while ago, I began listing high-end audio rooms in a category of Honorable Mentions for outstanding rooms that didn't quite make the top tier, but were systems that I could live very happily with for a long time.
---> Part 8: Honorable Mentions And Promising Products At Montreal Audiofest 2025.

Best Of Montreal Audiofest 2025 Blue Note Awards
Longtime audiophile Rick Becker picks the best products at the Montreal Audiofest 2025.
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
There was something for everyone at this year's Montreal Audiofest, from entry-level to cost-no-concern. The mood was enthusiastic and upbeat. The people in this industry work for the good and benefit of others. Below are my choices for those who earned a special Enjoy the Music.com Best Of Montreal Audiofest 2025 Blue Note Award. Music is the social lubricant of humanity. I hope you've enjoyed this chronicle. Have a great summer, and enjoy some live music. I hope to see my Canadian friends again in Toronto in October.
---> Best Of Montreal Audiofest 2025 Blue Note Awards.

05 / 12 / 25

Hi-Fi+ May 2025 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: A Clarion Call For Audio Today
Audiovector R 10 Arreté Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Magico S5 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Computer Audio Design 1543 MkIII DAC
Trilogy 914 / 994 Prea And Mono Amplifiers
HzProject HzCORE Audio / Music Server
Accuphase E-700 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Marantz 60n Stereo Int. Streaming Amplifier
Fyne Audio F701SP Stand-Mount Speaker
hARt Lab Tune Three Power Amplifier
Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "There can be only one! It was a great tag line for a not-so-great movie (who thought casting someone with a broad Scottish accent as a Spaniard locked in a thousand year debate with a Scotsman with a broad French accent was a good idea?). However, it seems that Highlander is the clarion call for a lot of audio today. Yes, audio converges. The best in audio sound very close to one another compared to a few decades ago. We still have a long way to go, but the differences between Product X and Product Y in audio are not as wide as they used to be. Also, most products in audio today are pretty good. The bad old days when a mediocre product would not only sound dreadful but try to execute you with electricity are long gone. Except for a few very cheap products rarely sold in audio stores that have an alarming records of re-profiling records played on them, modern audio is at least competent, if occasionally, a bit 'Meh!'. All of this makes it understandable that people want to know which is 'the one'."
---> Hi-Fi+'s May 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.

05 / 09 / 25

Part 7: The Lower Level, Outremont, And St. Laurent Rooms
A symphony of spectacular high-fidelity sound!
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Just to reorient the folks who attended the show, this part (Part 7) covers the rooms to the right as you hit the lower level. The coffee bar just to the right was a welcome addition to the show. They had an assortment of snacks, too, for those who experienced a sudden power failure. I typically make do with a couple of Clif Bars and a bottle of Mt. Dew — legacy nourishment from my days of bicycling high mountain passes. Turning left as I hit the long corridor, I proceeded to Outremont 1 on the left, opposite the large EARVANA and Marketplace room. I'll cover the Outremont rooms first, then double back to EARVANA and Marketplace on the St. Laurent side of the hall. Martin Logan has not had a big footprint at the Montreal show, as best I can recall. Here, they seemed to have teamed up with LaLiberte, a retailer in Levis, Quebec, just across the river from Quebec City. Enjoy the Music.com saw a couple of their rooms in Part 1 of the Montreal Audiofest 2025 audiophile show report.
---> Part 7: The Lower Level, Outremont, And St. Laurent Rooms.

05 / 08 / 24

Masimo Sells Sound United To HARMAN International
Masimo Corporation, a global medical / technology company, has announced the sale of its consumer audio business, Sound United, to HARMAN International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, for $350 million in cash. This decision marks a strategic shift for Masimo, which originally expanded into the audio market through its acquisition of Sound United to integrate health-monitoring technology into consumer electronics. However, with new leadership and a redefined focus, Masimo has opted to concentrate on its core healthcare business, seeking to drive innovation in patient monitoring and medical technology. The divestiture is expected to strengthen Masimo's ability to address unmet clinical needs while ensuring the consumer audio brands find a new home under HARMAN's expertise.

For HARMAN, a company that designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, acquiring Sound United represents a significant expansion of its audio portfolio, which includes JBL, Harman Kardon, and AKG. By adding renowned brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz, the company is poised to enhance its presence in home audio, hi-fi systems, and headphones. The integration of these brands is expected to drive new product innovations and improve consumer experiences across various audio categories. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is set to close by the end of 2025, positioning HARMAN as a force within the high-end audio market while allowing Masimo to reinforce its commitment to healthcare technology advancements.

Nagra Classic DAC II, PSU Power Supply, And VFS Review
Bringing tears of joy when listening to special songs.
Review By Tom Lyle
In January 2021, I was fortunate to review Nagra's Tube DAC and Classic PSU power supply. In my review, I said that the owners of this vacuum tube Hi-Res Audio DAC will be able to appreciate the "sonic glory" of this "high-performance component." So, I was not surprised that the Nagra Tube DAC and its PSU power supply were awarded Enjoy The Music.com's Best Of 2021 Award. After I finished the review, I was not psyched to return the $40,900 package consisting of the Nagra Tube DAC, Classic PSU power supply, and VFS Classic base to the distributor. I was captivated by the sound quality this digital front end contributed to my system. My reference DAC, an EMM Labs DA2, is no slouch, but this Nagra Tube DAC package costs twice as much. It was not twice as good as the EMM Labs converter; it doesn't work that way, but the improvement in sound quality was significant. I jumped at the chance when I was offered the subject of this review, the relatively new Nagra Classic DAC II / PSU / VFS combo.
---> Nagra Classic DAC II, PSU Power Supply, And VFS Review.

Avantgarde Acoustic UNO SD Hornspeaker Review
The luckiest I've ever felt was when reviewing the UNO SD speakers.
Review By Tom Lyle
In the mid to late 1990s, I heard a pair of Avantgarde Acoustic horn loudspeakers (hornspeaker) for the first time at a local high-end audio showroom. I don't remember the model of the speakers I was hearing, but I do recall that they were powered by a pair of Single-Ended Triode (SET) monoblock amplifiers. I assumed that these amps were a perfect match for these sensitive speakers. Sadly, I was not impressed with what I heard that day. The speaker's biggest sin was an exaggerated midrange, epitomizing the "cupped hands" sound. Fast-forward to 2024, when I was offered a pair of Avantgarde UNO SDs for review in Enjoy the Music.com. I was skeptical, fearing I would experience something similar to what I had heard at that local dealer many years ago. Before these speakers arrived, I shared my experience with Avantgarde's North American distributor, American Sound of Canada, about my experience with their horn speakers.
---> Avantgarde Acoustic UNO SD Hornspeaker Review.

05 / 07 / 25

RIAA Says (Human?) Creators Are Essential To Economic Growth
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) annual Special 301 Report provides a brief review of intellectual property (IP) enforcement and protection globally. While the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), an organization that advocates for recorded music business, the 2025 report highlights concerns in various countries regarding counterfeiting, piracy, patent protection, and trade secrets. While the music business continues to sample, copy, and produce AI-generation songs, the RIAA also wants to ensure IP protection for the audio products sold by the music business they represent. According to the RIAA, "USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer stresses that US creators are essential to our economic growth, competitiveness and jobs. Strong copyright protection is critical to protecting American dominance, preventing theft of creative works and defending US national economic security."

"The 2025 Special 301 Report offers a critical opportunity to send a clear and unambiguous message regarding the vital importance of copyright to the US economy," commented RIAA SVP International Policy George York. "As President Trump's Proclamation on World IP Day states, 'we renew our resolve to protect and secure the creative triumphs of American inventors and artists as they work to pull the future into the present and turn their dreams into our reality [...] The future of our great Nation depends on the continued safeguarding of our intellectual property, which fuels economic growth, technological progress and global competitiveness.'"

05 / 06 / 25

AXPONA 2025 Ear Candy, Sonic Magic, And Audiophile Bliss
Music Professor Michael Bump's special Best Of AXPONA 2025 Blue Note Awards
AXPONA 2025 High-End Audio Show Report By Dr. Michael Bump
AXPONA 2025 delivered a symphony of sonic excellence, but only the crème de la crème earn the coveted Enjoy the Music.com Best Of AXPONA 2025 Blue Note Award — a distinction reserved for the gear that transcends expectation and elevates the listening experience to new heights. This year's winners didn't just impress; they mesmerized, setting the standard for audiophile bliss with innovation, artistry, and unrelenting musicality. Whether through breathtaking detail, staggering dynamics, or pure analog magic, these standouts prove that the pursuit of high-fidelity perfection is as thrilling as ever. "Enjoy the Music.com wants to express our deepest gratitude for an incredible AXPONA 2025 experience. The passion, innovation, and dedication on display made this event truly unforgettable. From the remarkable audio demonstrations to the inspiring conversations, every moment was a testament to the thriving community of music lovers and high-fidelity sound enthusiasts."
---> Dr. Bump's Special Best Of AXPONA 2025 Blue Note Awards.

05 / 05 / 25

Mind-Blowing Innovations At AXPONA 2025 – The Ultimate Audio Revolution
All great music has a very special soundscape you must hear to believe!
AXPONA 2025 High-End Audio Show Report By Dr. Michael Bump
The audiophile-faithful descended once again on Schaumburg, April 11th through 13th, for AXPONA 2025 high-end audio show (report), which is North America's largest gathering of audiophile and luxury premium audio designers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts of all levels and backgrounds. AXPONA 2025's immersive music event is now officially in the books as the largest to date, with Event Director, Liz Smith, wanting Enjoy the Music.com to share with you that just over 10,000 attendees enjoying 700 international brands / designers, retailers, and exhibitors. With 213 dedicated listening rooms distributed over 12 floors of the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, this year's AXPONA provided ample opportunity to experience and celebrate some of the finest home audio designs in the world. Though the above numbers for this 14th annual AXPONA are impressive, I am continually inspired by the welcoming, tight-knit community that it represents.
---> Mind-Blowing Innovations At AXPONA 2025.

05 / 01 / 25

May's Incredible High-End Audio Review Magazine
Plus SWAF, Montreal, AXPONA, HIGH END, And More!
This month we feature industry news, gear reviews, plus think pieces, though it is our extensive show coverage that shines brightly. May marks Enjoy the Music.com's fifth show coverage during 2025 (five separate shows). During 2025, we have posted extensive show coverage of the Florida International Audio Expo, Southwest Audio Fest, Montreal Audiofest, AXPONA, and soon HIGH END and a special surprise along the way. Reporting on high-end audio shows offers a range of benefits, whether you're a journalist, industry professional, or passionate audiophile. Enjoy the Music.com gives you access to information on cutting-edge audio technology. We feature the latest advancements in sound reproduction, providing you the benefits of our firsthand expert experience with groundbreaking reference loudspeakers, both vacuum tube and solid-state amplifiers, Hi-Res Audio DACs, turntables, cables, tweaks, and other equipment before they reach your local high-end audio store.

As a longtime trusted voice in the audio community, Enjoy the Music.com is honored to not only sponsor many shows, we also gladly share with the world our extensive and detailed reporting on audio events. Having our expert staff providing dedicated reviews allows for in-depth assessments that go beyond press releases, promotional materials, or brief show encounters. When you attend one of the many luxury home audio events, you can experience sound quality in controlled environments and try to compare products. Rest assured Enjoy the Music.com is here to let you know of upcoming audio trends, whether it's new materials, innovative designs, or shifts in listening preferences. Our staff is at your service, and we invite you to read our extensive May 2025 high-end audio Review Magazine.
---> May's Incredible High-End Audio Review Magazine Plus SWAF, Montreal, AXPONA, HIGH END, And More!

Doing What's Best For The Luxury Audio Community
A heart-to-heartfelt wish as there's much work to do!
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
Since it has been quite some time since writing an article, I'd like to first thank all our readers for your patience in product delivery over the past year. Supply constraints combined with various factory closings globally over the past year have been a challenge for many of us. While many of us stayed home, we took much joy, and a careful listen, to our luxury audio systems. With many of your wanting to upgrade your gear, there were many companies I spoke with who were simply inundated with orders. As someone who gives close attention to the luxury goods market for decades, the health of the industry also rests on the used marketplace. Am sure many of you have seen the rise in asking prices for pre-loved gear. This, imho, reinforces the value of high-end audio products.
---> Doing What's Best For The Luxury Audio Community.

The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby Part 4
Concerning the things to come… and what will make them better!
Article By Roger Skoff
In Part 1 of "The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby", more in Part 2 of The Future, plus Part 3 last month, the necessarily lengthy articles about our hobby and the industry that serves it, I told about how our hobby was once what computers and cell phones are today: the state-of-the-art, the thing that everybody knew about, loved, and had to have. I also wrote about how it has, since then, fallen from glory, and become, for most people, at best a curiosity, and at worst, a sort of utility (everybody uses water, gas, and electricity, but nobody gets excited about them), and that the problem has gone so far that – even though they are constantly surrounded by music of some sort and some quality at practically every turn, many people don't even know what the words "hi-fi" or "stereo" mean. To a very great degree, I wrote, our hobby has become one for a declining number of old men and is in current and specific danger of following the electric train....
---> The Future Of Our Audiophile Hobby Part 4.

Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Show Report
SWAF 2025 high-end audio / audiophile event coverage.
Now in their second year, the Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) high-end audio show by the dynamic duo Gary Gill (Capital Audiofest) and Lou Hinkley (Pacific AudioFest / Daedalus Audio) brings magical music to Dallas. SWAF 2025 follows their sensational success with the popular Pacific Audio Fest event. Attendees may listen to many of the world's top manufacturers who create a wide variety of exciting home and portable audio products. Within this expansive Resort environment, bask in luxurious sounds that caress your ears and bring newfound meaning to many of the songs you've heard many times in the past. The show promoters worked very hard to secure this amazing event venue, which is extremely safe, family fun friendly, and features great weather during March too! All this and more within a curated experience filled with fine art and acres of event space.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Show Report.

Montreal Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Report
The Salon Audio Montreal Audiofest 2025 takes place from March 28th through 30th with more than 5000 visitors expected who desired listening, seeing, and touching over 300 brands of high-end audiophile products all under one roof. As the largest show in Canada, attendees will experienced the very best high-end audio and video/videophile industry distributors, manufacturers, and retailers in Canada. Within each listening room, exhibitors are overjoyed to share their passion for music with you by demonstrating some of the world's best sound systems from $5000 to $500,000. Montréal Audiofest is celebrating its 36th edition in 2025 and remains the must-attend event for audiophiles, high-end audio gear enthusiasts, and music lovers.
---> Montreal Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Report.

AXPONA 2025 High-End Audiophile Show Report
AXPONA 2025 (Audio Expo North America) is set to take place from April 11th through 13th at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Illinois. This annual event is for audiophiles and features a wide range of high-fidelity, high-performance audio gear. Over 200 rooms will let you listen and assess the equipment being presented. An extensive AXPONA 2025 show report for longtime Enjoy the Music.com enthusiasts will showcase the latest and greatest audio equipment from top audio brands. For personal audio, the Ear Gear Experience (akin to CanJam shows) is a dedicated area for headphones and personal audio gear, including open-back, closed-back, and in-ear monitors (IEM). There's also an Expo Hall & Record Fair that will have stereo hi-fi audio accessories, vinyl LP turntables / record players, various cable manufacturers, and more.
---> Enjoy the Music.com's Extensive AXPONA 2025 Show Report.

HIGH END 2025 Munich Audiophile Show Report
The HIGH END 2025 audiophile / immersivephile event is an internationally renowned audio exhibition that will take place from May 15 to May 18, 2025, at the M.O.C. Event Center in Munich, Germany. This event is a must-visit for anyone passionate about high-quality audio technology, as it brings together manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and in open to consumers from over 40 countries. The HIGH END 2025 exhibition will feature hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations in consumer electronics technology, including hi-fi audio, high-end video, home theater, and bespoke entertainment solutions for millionaires and billionaires alike. Visitors can expect to experience groundbreaking trends, technological advances, and exclusive world premieres. This year's brand ambassador is the Norwegian singer Anette Askvik, who embodies the event's motto "Passion for Music".
---> HIGH END 2025 Munich Audiophile Show Report.

World Premiere Review!
Trilogy Audio Systems 914 Preamplifier And 994 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
Conveying musicality, engagement, and emotional connection to your favorite music.
Review By Chris Beeching
Trilogy Audio Systems, that small but perfectly formed UK audio electronics company turns 35 this year. Brain-child of Nic Poulson, Trilogy has brought highly engaging and musical products to the public's ears with critical acclaim for three decades. Something new coming from this stable, where new products are something of a rarity (and whose legacy products still command decent price tags) is a rather special event. Like so many smaller entities, Trilogy has been quietly bringing beautifully styled and highly listenable products to market in a resolute but unassuming way. Never one to shout loudly about what they do, they have earned an enviable following, and consistently produce amplification which, in a very understated way, produces far more (in every respect) than the seeming sum of their parts. Just coming to market this month are the Trilogy Audio Systems 914 preamplifier and the partnering 994 monoblock power amps.
---> Trilogy Audio Systems 914 Preamplifier And 994 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review.

Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable Review
I strongly suspected when listening to the first song with the Musiko that I would buy it.
Review By Rick Becker
The Charisma Audio Musiko tonearm had already become part of my reference system back in May 2021. when it was incorporated into my Linn Project — a complete re-make of the fabled Linn LP12 using off-the-shelf, re-engineered parts from several after-market companies. These parts were sourced from Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Colorado. By the time I finished, the only original OEM parts were the suspension springs and grommets, the belt, the sub-chassis nuts and bolts, and the wood plinth. While there were lots of lovely alternatives, I kept the original wood plinth out of sentimentality. I was quite proud of the results, having greatly improved on the original vintage table — not unlike the way Carroll Shelby made over the British AC Ace into the Cobra sports car, except I did it on a kitchen countertop and never got around to racing it. I nicknamed it the Bard for reasons I'll let you figure out.
---> Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable Review.

Black Ice Audio Fusion F100 Monoblock Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Review
Plus a great story about Jim Fosgate's Odyssey circuit.
Review By Ron Nagle
To tube or not to tube? Strange as it may seem, that age-old question is still relevant. Today new materials and innovative designs have taken vacuum tube audio components to a higher level. When I first saw the Black Ice Fusion F100 in room 504 at the Capital Audiofest, they were powered with Russian Tung-Sol KT150 beam tetrodes. This innovative tube is only one type of power tube the F100 can use, each with a different musical voice. This ability has a substantial fundamental advantage. Unlike solid-state amplifiers, you need not be stuck with one solid-state sound. Like a fine wine, the sound of vacuum tube audio components can appeal to many diverse tastes.
---> Black Ice Audio Fusion F100 Monoblock Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Review.

Mindfulness In Music
John DeVore talks about mindfulness in this crazy world... plus a few musical suggestions.
Article By John DeVore Of DeVore Fidelity
John DeVore, Founder of DeVore Fidelity, has a wonderful two-video series about mindfulness in music. DeVore Fidelity is based in Brooklyn New York where for twenty years they've been designing and building beautiful speakers capable of communicating the power and scope as well as the intimate nuance of music in order to bring you closer to your music than ever before. Within John's two video series, he talks about mindfulness in this crazy world. He offers a few marvelous musical suggestions. Continuing his joys on the path of mindfulness, John's part 2 offers many viewer recommended records for meditation and mindfulness. Enjoy the Music.com is honored that John is sharing his kind knowledge with us and his music-loving audience.
---> See John DeVore's Mindfulness In Music Videos.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

04 / 30 / 25

Part 6: The Lower Level, Montreal, And Westmount Rooms
Robots, high-end audio exhibition rooms, plus audiophile rock 'n' roll.
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
On Sunday morning, I packed up and downloaded my luggage into the shooting brake in the parking garage below the Bonaventure. As I waited in line for a table at the breakfast buffet, I looked longingly at the folks in the pool and hot tub. If only I were not so afraid of getting water stuck in my ears and spoiling the day. While still in line, a robot passed me, heading off to deliver breakfast to someone's room. It caught me by surprise and was gone before I could grab a photo. Moments later, adding insult to injury, a second one passed me by. Breakfast was great — far superior to running across the street to the McDonald's in the train station. Isabeau Corriveau was up early, too, playing for the early arrivals to the show. The escalator descends to the lower level, where the medium-sized and large rooms are located. The bright yellow McLaren Artura was parked near the bottom in an attempt to lure visitors away from the truly high end gear they lust for.
---> Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report Part 6: The Lower Level. Montreal, And Westmount Rooms.

04 / 28 / 25

Dolby Atmos Immersive In-Car Audio Entertainment
With IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Association) custom high-end audio competitions being featured at various audiophile shows, the consumer electronics industry recognizes Dolby Laboratories as a leader within their field. During the recent Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2025), the company showcased their next-generation of in-car entertainment experience powered by Dolby Vision HDR imaging and Dolby Atmos immersive sound. "Dolby's growth in automotive continues to accelerate," says Dolby's press release. "At Auto Shanghai 2025, many auto makers announced new vehicles to support Dolby experiences, including those debuting their first model that features Dolby. With this latest progress, the number of auto makers supporting Dolby experiences has reached 25+, doubling the number from 12 months ago. With cars evolving from mere transportation tools into dynamic living spaces, consumers have unprecedented enthusiasm and expectations for high-quality in-car entertainment. At Auto Shanghai 2025, Dolby and auto partners are showcasing a variety of audio and audiovisual entertainment in Dolby...."

"In addition, auto makers are also highlighting recently launched models with demonstrations of the Dolby experiences, including NIO ET9 that features Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, Xiaomi SU7 and SU7 Ultra integrating Dolby Atmos, and Lynk&Co 900 supporting Dolby Atmos, and smart #5 with Dolby Atmos. Multiple brands from BYD also showcased car models that support Dolby Atmos at auto show.... According to the research study conducted by Counterpoint in April 2025 through in-depth interviews and online survey among more than 1200 car owners in China, 97% of car owners in China are aware of Dolby innovations, 4 in every 5 car owners agree that Dolby experiences considerably improve quality of entertainment, and 9 in every 10 of those who intend to purchase a new car in the next 6 months are interested in models that feature Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

04 / 25 / 25

Part 5: Saturday Night Industry Banquet And Lifetime Achievement Awards
The celebration continues here at Montreal Audiofest 2025!
Montreal Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
After returning to my room to set my batteries charging, I dressed for the Industry Banquet and the Lifetime Achievement Award presentations. This time, I remembered to bring a spare battery with me. The request was for an '80s Disco vibe, but my wardrobe was ill-prepared for such an event. The best I could do was throw on one of my Jerry Garcia ties. They're good for the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Sarah Tremblay, Director of the Audiofest, greeted guests and handed out eyeglasses with variable flashing light sequences. I will give out an award to the first person submitting the correct number of these eyeglasses appearing in the photos in Part 5. One number per person, only. For as many years as I've covered this show, I am good friends with relatively few people. The cast of characters keeps changing on me. The guy looking straight at the camera is Stephane Hautcoeur, founder and President of Eon Art Canada, Inc., manufacturers of some of the finest amplifiers in the world.
---> Part 5: Saturday Night Industry Banquet And Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Previous High-End Audio News
For previous high-end audio and music industry news click here.