HIGH END 2019 Show Report
High End Society Munich Germany
HIGH END 2019 show opened their doors and welcomed exhibitors and visitors from all over the world from May 9th through 12th in Munich, Germany. As during the past 19 years, longer than any other North American magazine, Enjoy the Music.com once again reports on HIGH END in Munich.
---> See our HIGH END 2019 show report.

AXPONA 2019 Show Report
With our final AXPONA report posted, Enjoy the Music.com now has more than 600 photos spanning over 55 pages! AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) 2019 was held from April 12th through 14th at their permanent home at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. This year is AXPONA's tenth anniversary, marking its largest show to date!
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Pro-Ject Audio Systems X2 Vinyl LP Turntable
Pro-Ject Audio Systems' new X2 turntable ($1599) is their heavyweight, high-end vinyl record player system that replaces their 2Xperience SB. Pro-Ject's X2 takes the same enhancements as the latest generation X1 record player and improves on those technologies with much higher quality components and materials. The selected components are bigger, heavier and more robust, for improved performance and greater build quality too. X2 typifies Pro-Ject's belief that all analog enthusiasts need to be individually catered within the company's wide range of turntable choices.
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Schiit Ragnarok 2 Stereo Amp, HeadAmp, Phono & DAC
Schiit's new Ragnarok 2 ($1499 standard, $1799 with both modules) is a pretty big deal for the company. According to them, "Ragnarok 2 is our future asteroid shuttle, where everyone zips around in space all the time and it's totally safe and no big deal." While we thoroughly enjoy their humor, Schiit's Ragnarok 2 is one serious piece of gear! Ragnarok 2 is a no-compromise design with an all-new integrated speaker and headphone amplifier, with modular architecture, remote control, and intelligent oversight. It also introduces their Nexus balanced topology for seamless handling of both XLR balanced and single-ended RCA input sources.
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KEF Celebrates Father's Day With Big Discounts
Father's Day is just day's away and KEF is discounting the dad-approved Q150 bookshelf speaker in honor of the holiday. The Q150 speakers are a great way to get hi-fi sound at a mid-range price, and now they're available for just $299.99/pair, down from $549.99. Other Father's Day special include the Gravity One portable speaker, down from $379.99 to $199.99, and the Motion One in-ear Bluetooth headphones, down from $249.99 to $149.99.
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Australian Hi-Fi High-End News & Reviews May / June 2019
This issue of Australian Hi-Fi magazine features audio news and special visit to British audiophile, ex-Hong Kong, domiciled in Australia, whose home is like an audiophile's Aladdin's Cave. Brian Zolner of Bricasti talks to Jez Ford about his new M5, streaming, and why USB doesn't work as well as it should! High-end audio gear reviews within this issue include Grado GH3 Heritage Series headphones, Mag-Lev Audio ML1 turntable, Revel F228Be loudspeakers, Arcam CDS50 SACD Net player, Bricasti M5 network music player, plus Australian Hi-Fi does a record cleaner comparo.
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HIFICRITIC's Latest Issue Features Shows And Reviews
HIFICRITIC's latest issue features their coverage of Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2019, Munich's HIGH END Munich 2019 show, and reviews of the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW, Audio Research's Reference 160M monoblocks, Bespoke Audio Preamp, Chord Hugo 2, Roon, Fyne Audio F303 budget floorstander, Clio Pocket, Nordost Valhalla 2 cable, Nova Fidelity X45 media server, Leema Sirius, Definitive Technology D9 speaker, and Naim Uniti Nova. In a new 'tailpiece', HIFICRITIC opens a platform for hi-fi opinion leaders, with this month featuring Marantz Brand Ambassador Ken Ishiwata.
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--->  Read More High-End Audio Industry News.

HIFICRITIC Sound Stage: Ken Ishiwata
The term 'Hi-Fi' was first coined in 1947, the year I was born – how's that for a coincidence? It all started with mono LPs, stereo following in 1958, and the technology was all valves until solid-state (or transistors) appeared. Initially, solid state couldn't compare with well-designed tube amplifiers, but step by step improvements were made, and the new technology became popular; speaker engineers changed their way of designing, as you could get more power easily; and manufacturing became easier and cheaper.
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World Premiere Review!
Merrill Audio Element 116 Vs. Veritas Amplifier
Comparative thoughts on two premium amplifiers from Merrill Audio.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Some of my favorite, albeit rare, audiophile experiences have been what some might refer to as "blind shootouts." Not just A/B sessions with similarly priced, similarly designed audio components, but true variety pack shootouts between significantly varied designs and price points. These experiences have been healthy cleansing reminders for me to avoid listening with my eyes (or my wallet), and keep my ears on the music. In the May issue of Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine, Roger Skoff offers a candid explanation as to why each of us is ultimately the "expert" when it comes to defining the two primary determinates of audiophilia: "What's good?" and "How can you tell?"
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ModWright Instruments PH 9.0 Phono Stage
A new paradigm in affordable excellence.
Review By Greg Weaver of Positive Feedback
I've had the privilege of knowing Dan Wright for the past twenty years. Over that time, I've seen ModWright burgeon from its humble beginnings as an upgrade or modification-only service provider, to becoming a respected manufacturer of a full line of products. Over the past two decades, ModWright has established an unwavering benchmark in providing both remarkable sounding gear and exceptional value. In fact, I was so impressed with ModWright's flagship phono preamplifier, the PH 150 Reference introduced in 2015, that I purchased mine after reviewing for another publication. As such, it was a no-brainer that I should audition their latest and relatively affordable offering.
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World Premiere Review!
Aric Audio Alpha 300B Push Pull Amplifier
One of the best sounding tube amplifiers you have (probably) never heard of.
Review By Dwayne Carter
Until last week, I had in my possession one of the best sounding tube amplifiers in the world (from my small world view). Even better, I was fortunate enough to have this amplifier mated with a pair of the most recognizable speakers in the world (Avantgarde Uno Fino). On top of that, my wife joined me in the Audio Room for two(!) listening sessions with drinks in hand. It's true what they say: You never know a good thing... until it's gone.
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More high-end audio reviews & articles within our Review Magazine.

Win Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Speakers
Valued At $599!
Enjoy the Music.com is honored to join with Vanatoo for our June 2019 contest. The Transparent One Encore (T1E, $599) series of wireless powered speakers from Vanatoo is your solution for high quality music, movie, and game playback without all of the clutter. Simply plug one speaker into the wall, run the supplied wire between the two speakers, and connect your source, which can be just about anything.
---> Read more and enter for your chance to win!

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