High End 2012 - Munich, Germany

Denmark's Vitus Audio debuted their new Signature SM-102 mono amplifiers, a design based on technology developed for the Masterpiece MP-M201s, which were used in the TWBAS 2012 system. These new monsters will output 100W of pure class-A power into an 8-ohm load and have a power supply based on the company's massive 2.2kVA UI-core transformer design for what Hans Old-Vitus says is "unmatched power-supply regulation." The SM-102s are priced at 50,000€ per pair.

Norway's Hegel was playing a new integrated amplifier (bottom), the H300 (4500€). The power output of this large and well-built integrated amp is 250Wpc and it comes standard with a built-in DAC (five digital inputs: two coaxial, two optical, one USB). The circuit design is based on the flagship H30 monoblock amplifier. Hegel's line is expanding lightning fast!

Essential Sound Products was powering the Wadax-based system that we wrote about a few days ago with their Essence Reference-II power cords and power distributor -- a complete power-delivery setup designed to address the power needs of the largest audio systems. The cords sport a number of unique design details including cryogenic treatment and a proprietary termination process for the connectors. The power distributor has 20A current capacity among its many features. The Essence Reference-II power cords retail for $1999.99 in the United States for a 2m cord. The power distributor is priced at $2999.99.

The Zellaton Reference loudspeaker is the company's current top-of-the-line model. This large floorstander uses all Zellaton drivers, including . . .

. . . a 7.5" midrange, which plays up to 8kHz and is left to roll off without a crossover. The two woofers are 9" units, whereas the tweeter is said to be a "full-cone" driver. The price of the Reference has not been decided.

Company president Felix Avalos holds his newest Fono Acoustica speaker cables, the Armonico, which are based on silver-gold conductors of his own design. These are priced at 14,100€ per 2m pair. The connectors are unique in that they are encased in . . .

. . . an African wood that the company says enhances the sonic performance of the cables. Fono Acoustica is based in Spain.

Brinkmann's new integrated amplifier has the expected analog inputs similar to any integrated amp, but it also has a digital-to-analog converter option that provides two digital inputs (both coaxial). The power output is rated at 70Wpc into 8 ohms and 100Wpc into 4 ohms. This . . .

. . . internal shot shows a small triode tube in the output stage of the D/A converter. The retail price is 5500€ and the D/A option is an additional 1500€.

Dynaudio was not playing their new Evidence Platinum loudspeaker, but they were displaying it in one of the Munich Order Center's large atriums. This update of the classic Evidence-series loudspeaker includes a new aluminum front baffle, new drivers all around, upgraded crossover components, and a reinforced cabinet. The price is not presently set, but according to a company representative, it's expected to be around 50,000€ per pair.

Berlin-based Burmester was demonstrating their new Reference Line 111 music server. In addition to being . . .

. . . iPad controlled, the 111 includes a digital-to-analog converter with six digital inputs (the same actual converter that is in their Reference Line 069 CD player is used), and the volume control is taken from their 077 preamplifier. The 111 is priced at 29,000€.

Tidal Audio played their Piano Diacera (23,000€ per pair) loudspeakers augmented by the company's new X-Tender subwoofers (9000€ per pair), which house two 8" drivers per tower. The X-Tender is purely passive in the configuration that we heard them in, although they are available with an active crossover at an additional cost (amplification still required).

Germany's Canton is celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of the new Jubilee loudspeaker. There will be only 100 pairs produced in the limited-edition run that will end this year. The Jubilee is a three-way, bass-reflex design with claimed bass extension to 18Hz. The price is 9000€ per pair.

China-based Auralic showed a sleek new monoblock power amplifier, the Merak (2000€ each), which is a hybrid class-A/class-D design (A for input, D for output) with a linear power supply. The Merak is said to deliver 200W into 8 ohms or 400W into 4 ohms. Multiple . . .

. . . Meraks can be bridged through the input and output connectors on the backside for even higher power output (four Meraks are said to produce 800W).

Germany's Audio Physic always has a new speaker at High End. This year they showed the Virgo 25^Plus, shown in the photo above with the company's chief designer, Manfred Diestertich. The Virgo 25^Plus features an aluminum front baffle . . .

. . . as well as internal acoustic panels that line the midrange cavity to diffuse internal reflections for improved driver behavior. There are also . . .

. . . braces in the woofer cabinet made from a newly developed ceramic foam. The ceramic foam is extremely strong but also very porous, allowing for more air volume in the chamber. The price of the Virgo 25^Plus is 11,000€ per pair.

Germany's Isophon showed the new Berlina RC 11 loudspeaker, which is priced at 150,000€ per pair. The Berlinas were being played at High End 2012 in a large room and were powered by Trigon electronics. The Berlina RC 11 is a four-way system with ceramic cones for the woofer and lower midrange drivers, and from 1000Hz up . . .

. . . diamond diaphragms are used. You read that right -- a diamond midrange along with the diamond tweeter, which helps to explain the speaker's very high price.