High End Munich started this week on Ascension Day, also a public holiday in Germany, but that did not stop the existing audio brands from coming up with the necessary scoops – such as the Marantz PM-KI Ruby, the Dynaudio Confidence and the Edge models from Cambridge Audio.
In the editorial special of HiFi.nl you can find all the news from the exhibition floor, and on Monday there is an extensive report on the atmosphere, in this case a number of highlights.
Dynaudio Confidence 2018
First highlight is the new Confidence series from Danish Dynaudio. “The new Confidence family drives Dynaudio’s most valued design philosophies – including soft-dome tweeters, MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) drivers and DDC (Dynaudio Directivity Control) technology – to new heights by using new materials, technologies and technologies,” the introduction was. “Our best speaker ever.” A taste, because the new Dynaudio Confidence series will be officially launched later this year.
Marantz PM-KI Ruby Amplifier and Sacd Player
Marantz and Brand Ambassador Ken Ishiwata presented the Marantz KI Ruby combination in Munich, an amplifier (PM-KI Ruby) and SACD player (SA-KI Ruby) that literally and figuratively bears the signature of the ‘frontman’ of the brand. ‘Music is the highest form of art’, says Ishiwata when he presents the hi-fi audience to the latest models of ‘his’ Marantz. ‘But it is also the most noble art form. Human emotion trapped, crystallized and passed on to others.
HEGEL H590 top model integrated amplifier
As we expected, the big news on KEF’s stand comes mainly from the Norwegian Hegel. The H190 stereo amplifier is now also available in a white version, but much more interesting is the introduction of a new top model: the H590 power amplifier. The H590 is not only a size larger than all we are used to from the Norwegians, but also a more powerful one. And the most expensive one she built so far.
Chord Etude amplifier and Hugo TT 2 DAC
Chord Electronics has presented two new devices: the TT 2 version of the Chord Hugo and an Etude amplifier from the Choral series. De Etude is the first totally new design of the brand in thirty years. This power amplifier, with 150 watts per channel, is intended as a ‘Dave-worthy’ partner of that dac / preamplifier. 
Sonus faber Sonetto
Sonus faber is always good for product introductions in Munich, and in 2018 it is no different. The Italian speaker builder presents Sonetto. The Sonetto line consists of 8 models: Sonetto VIII, Sonetto V and Sonetto III, the three floorstanders, Sonetto II and Sonetto I bookshelf models, Sonetto Center II and Sonetto Center I, and the Sonetto Wall, an on-wall speaker that is stereo, multi-channel or LCR can be used.
Cambridge Audio Edge
Cambridge Audio originated in 1968 and therefore celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. To mark that milestone, the brand is launching a completely new series on the market: Cambridge Audio Edge. The series consists of the Edge A integrated amplifier, the Edge NQ preamp with network player and the Edge W power amplifier – all three on the exhibition floor.
Vivid Audio Kaya
Vivid Audio has launched a new speaker series: Vivid Kaya. Or in the words of the Dutch importer, Terrason: “There is life after the Oval series! Finally we can confirm the long-running rumors, there is a new Vivid series! “The Kaya line, which derives its name from the Zulu word for ‘home’, consists in the basis of Kaya 25, 45 and top model 90 and will be positioned between the Oval and the Giya.
Grimm Audio MU1 Music Player
Great news from the Dutch camp of Eelco Grimm and Guido Tent: Grimm Audio is on the German show floor these days find with a serious scoop. The brand behind, among others, the LS1-series loudspeakers (the original LS1 and the later LS1a and LS1be) and the CC1 and CC2 master clocks presents the Grimm Audio MU1 Music Player.
Dan D’Agostino Relentless: reference monoblock
High-end amplifier brand Dan D’Agostino presented a new reference monoblock on the exhibition floor in Munich : the Dan D’Agostino Relentless. We hit the model safely behind a red cord, but the manufacturer does not have to worry about anyone running away. The Relentless description is namely speaking in extremes, starting with the weight: 220 kilos. A monoblock good for 1,500 Watt, with a 5.5kW power supply. And then we have not yet talked about the price …
ELAC Debut 2.0
The German Elac gets a lot of work this week on home soil. The brand introduces on the exhibition floor in Munich the active loudspeaker series Argo, the Velo-line speakers that follow the 400 series, the Miracord 50 turntable and the large Concentro-M. There are also new models in the Alchemy series of amplifiers. For now we focus on the successors of Andrew Jones’ Debut series, the Elac Debut 2.0.
