High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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06 / 16 / 25

Roger Daltrey Has Been Knighted By King Charles III
Sir Roger Daltrey, the 81-year-old co-founder and powerhouse voice of The Who, has been knighted in King Charles III's 2025 Birthday Honors list. The accolade caps more than six decades of boundary-shattering rock—from the microphone-lassoing ferocity of "My Generation" to the operatic ambition of Tommy—and places Daltrey alongside fellow honorees such as Steve Winwood and David Beckham as cultural titans formally recognized for shaping modern Britain's artistic identity. The monarch's citation praises not only Daltrey's musical legacy but his tireless philanthropy: as driving force behind the Teenage Cancer Trust he has helped raise over £36 million (about $48 million) and fund 28 specialist cancer units across UK hospitals. Accepting the honor, Daltrey called it "a dream come true" and dedicated the knighthood to the "unsung heroes" who fuel the charity's work, underscoring how rock-and-roll bravado can translate into life-changing support for young patients.

Beyond the pageantry of Buckingham Palace, Daltrey's elevation to "Sir" crystallizes a life arc that began in a West London council flat, detoured through expulsion from Acton County School, and exploded onto the global stage when The Who detonated their instruments at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Those early years forged an artist who merged raw working-class grit with operatic ambition, pioneering the rock opera format and shaping Britain's self-image as a nation that exports cultural rebellion as effectively as it once exported wool. Today, scholars routinely cite his staccato bark on "My Generation"—delivered at age 21—as the moment British youth culture severed the last umbilical tie to deference; in 2025 the monarchy has, deliciously, bestowed its highest deference right back at him. As honorary patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, Daltrey personally curates the annual Royal Albert Hall gig series, persuading A-listers—from Paul McCartney to Ed Sheeran—to play for a fraction of their usual fees.

Those concerts, raffles, and backstage memorabilia auctions have now generated more than £36 million (~$48 million), underwriting 28 age-specific oncology wards across the U.K.; a sister charity, Teen Cancer America, replicates the model in U.S. hospitals. The knighthood also foreshadows The Who's swan-song tour, "The Song Is Over," beginning at Fenway Park this August (2025) with a rotating cast that includes Billy Idol and Feist.

AXPONA 2025 Part 7: High-End Audio's Fantastic 5th Floor
Great gear reveals and audiophile trends for music lovers.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Bob opened The Analog Shop in 1992, in nearby Victor, New York, about the time I discovered high-end audio, and we became friends in the ‘90s, bartering furniture for his children's rooms for audio gear. Another passion of Bob's was collecting and reading rare books and first editions. He carried very reputable lines, treated customers fairly, and was a good man. As it says on his website, he wasn't ready, but he went peacefully on April 14, 2025. A good friend asked me why I keep writing about the AXPONA 2025 high-end audiophile event when the show happened two months ago and has been eclipsed by the HIGH END show in Munich. A lot of other websites have hit the high spots for readers and viewers who see show reports primarily as "news." The print magazines lag because of the lead time necessary for publication and distribution.
---> AXPONA 2025 Part 7: High-End Audio's Fantastic 5th Floor.

06 / 13 / 25

audioXpress' 2025 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook
The freshly minted 2025 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) by audioXpress packs the same exhaustive supplier, vendor, and service-provider listings that make it the audio sector's go-to rolodex, but layers on even more editorial firepower for an era when hedging bets and diversifying supply chains feel existential. The book opens with J. Martins' sweeping State of the Speaker Industry report, tracing last year's bull run through Q3 2024. Dan Digre, who has captained MISCO Speakers for 40+ years, dissects what "resilience" really looks like for a U.S. loudspeaker manufacturer with Asian operations, offering granular anecdotes on dual-sourcing, component localization, and the chess game of logistics. Audio Engineering Society (AES) president Gary Gottlieb zooms out, revisiting the Society's 75-year history of standards-setting (think balanced lines, loudness metering, immersive-audio reference curves) and arguing that today's fractured, app-centric ecosystem needs an even stronger AES backbone. Meanwhile, WiSA Association chief Tony Ostrom maps the future living room, where Next-Gen WiSA E silicon, content-aware DSP, and true Hi-Res lossless wireless channels turn the "cable salad" into a clean mesh of intelligent nodes.

True to LIS tradition from audioXpress, the 2025 volume also serves as an industry time capsule. Shure's centennial, MISCO's 75th, Peavey's 60th, Listen Inc.'s 30th, Sensaphonics' 40th, and Menlo Scientific's 40th each get retrospective essays that blend company lore with tech milestones—like Shure's Unidyne-III capsule or Listen's SoundCheck platform—illustrating how historic R&D decisions still ripple through today's product roadmaps. Even relative newcomer Speakerbench earns a five-year look-back, chronicling how Jeff Candy and Claus Futtrup's cloud-based transducer modeler evolved from DIY curiosity to professional staple after its March 2020 launch. Rounding things out, the perennial Q&A spread corrals candid insights from executives at Genelec, K-Array, THX, Eminence, AtlasIED, Renkus-Heinz, Brane Audio, and Dongguan Yuonyunn on topics ranging from metamaterial diaphragms to AI-driven room correction. Whether you crack the spine of the print edition or deep-dive the continuously updated online directory, LIS 2025 remains an indispensable compass for anyone steering R&D, sourcing, marketing, or sales in the loudspeaker universe—and subscribers to Voice Coil, audioXpress, or the Sourcebook itself have just enjoyed seeing their complimentary copies this week.

06 / 12 / 25

McIntosh Laboratory Factory Tour
Gramophone gives us a look at a legendary premium audio company.
Founded in 1949, McIntosh Laboratory offers premium home audio systems that produce an exceptional audio experience. While the company initially focused on stereo system, in modern times they have expanded to offer stereo and immersive audio multi-channel audio products. McIntosh Labs is best known for their signature blue Watt output meter and green logo. McIntosh Labs' products are designed and handcrafted at their Binghamton, New York factory by passionate employees who love music. Furthermore, McIntosh Labs has powered moments in music history and pop culture including the USA's then President Lyndon Johnson's inauguration speech to the first Woodstock music festival. Many also know the company for helping power the now-famous Grateful Dead 'Wall of Sound'.
---> McIntosh Laboratory Factory Tour.

Valve Amplification Company Factory Tour
An exclusive factory tour of VAC thanks to Jay's Audio Lab.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Valve Amplification Company (VAC) was launched by chief designer Kevin Hayes with a passion about music realism so it sounds like the real thing within your home. With many awards and positive reviews globally in many publications, VAC products are considered masterpieces as they not only sound incredible, they also look the part too. According to VAC, "The difference between a good amplifier and a great amplifier resides in the details, and in the passion of the designer. One of the reasons for superiority of VAC equipment is that VAC uses vacuum tube technology almost exclusively. After almost 100 years since its invention, the triode vacuum tube remains the most linear (accurate) amplifying element known producing superior sonic performance."
---> Valve Amplification Company Factory Tour.

Klipsch: In 1989 A Fan Visits The Klipsch Factory
Plus a bonus video interview with Paul W. Klipsch!
Enjoy the Music.com is featuring very special vintage videos! The company's self-proclaimed "#1 Klipsch Fan" Kevin visits the Klipsch in Hope, Arkansas back in 1989 and enjoyed videoing a special factory tour. As many audio historians know, the genesis of the company began within a tiny tin shed back in 1946. This is when Paul W. Klipsch designed and hand-built the legendary Klipschorn speaker with the goal of bringing live music into his home. Today, that tin shed is now a full-fledged factory with its own cabinet production line, while Klipsch's headquarters have moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Getting back to Paul W. Klipsch, it was during his service at the Southwest Proving Grounds that he refined his corner horn speaker design.
---> Klipsch: In 1989 A Fan Visits The Klipsch Factory.

06 / 11 / 25

Musician, Producer, & Singer/Songwriter Brian Wilson Passes
Brian Douglas Wilson, best known as a member of The Beach Boys, was born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, and grew up in the working-class Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. A childhood accident left him virtually deaf in his right ear, yet he became enthralled by harmony after hearing his mother sing Gershwin and by studying the sophisticated voicing of the Four Freshmen. Gifted a reel-to-reel recorder at 16, he mastered overdubbing, teaching his brothers Dennis and Carl intricate vocal parts before recruiting cousin Mike Love and schoolmate Al Jardine to form the Pendletones—renamed The Beach Boys upon the 1961 release of their debut single "Surfin'." Wilson quickly emerged as the group's creative engine, penning sun-drenched hits like "Surfin' U.S.A.," "California Girls," and "I Get Around" while serving as bassist, keyboardist, arranger, and producer, an unprecedented level of control for a pop musician of the era.

Between 1964 and 1967, Brian Wilson all but reinvented studio craft, applying Phil Spector's Wall-of-Sound tactics to ever-denser vocal stacks and orchestration. He wrote or co-wrote more than two dozen U.S. Top 40 singles, became the first pop artist formally credited for writing, arranging, producing, and performing his own material, and shepherded the Beach Boys' landmark album and audiophile favorite Pet Sounds (1966), whose emotional intimacy and tape-loop experimentation astonished peers—Paul McCartney famously called "God Only Knows" the greatest song ever written. Its standalone follow-up, the modular psychedelic single "Good Vibrations," broke structural norms with its theremin-soaked, multi-section form, while the abandoned Smile project fueled his legend as rock's tortured auteur. The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper, released a year later, was conceived partly in response, sealing Wilson's reputation as a visionary who expanded pop's vocabulary and ambitions.

The creative peaks came at a steep personal cost. A panic attack on a 1964 flight triggered his withdrawal from touring; by the late-1960s, he spiraled into reclusive bouts of depression, overeating, and substance abuse, exacerbated by an abusive father and a reported controversial / controlling relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy. Officially fired from the Beach Boys in 1982, Wilson rebounded with a self-titled solo album in 1988, the same year the band entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he later earned Songwriters Hall induction in 2000. Extensive touring between 1999 and 2022—often spotlighting complete performances of Pet Sounds and Smile—reintroduced his genius to new generations. After the 2024 death of his wife Melinda, his family sought a conservatorship due to a major neurocognitive disorder, and on June 11, 2025, the singer-composer passed away at the age of 82, closing one of popular music's most triumphant lives.

Pure Audio Streaming Lossless Immersive Music Service
For modern music lovers and Immersivephiles^TM, Pure Audio Streaming sets out to be the first service that treats immersive music with the same no-compromise reverence audiophiles and music lovers expect from Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Music. Instead of Dolby Atmos's lossy streams or other proprietary lossy formats, Pure Audio Streaming is built around the AURO-3D codec and the Artist Connection back-end. Together, they can deliver uncompressed PCM up to 7.1.4 channels at 96 kHz, plus Hi-Res Audio lossless stereo up to 192 kHz and a true-to-source 48 kHz binaural fold-down for headphone listeners. The catalogue debuts with more than 300 master-grade titles—Grammy-winning releases such as 2L's "LUX" included—that were previously locked to Pure Audio Blu-ray discs; a public demo in AURO-3D's reference room at HIGH END 2025 in Munich proved the stream can replicate the holographic depth of the original discs while adding the convenience of on-demand access.

Two tiered plans keep things straightforward: The "Stereo" subscription for legacy audiophile enthusiasts unlocks 192 kHz PCM stereo and the AURO-derived binaural mix, while the modern music lover "Immersive" plan layers on 5.1 and full 7.1.4 AURO-3D streams—all bit-perfect, all DRM-secure. Early-access slots were sold during the 2025 HIGH END Munich show, and the formal launch is slated for Q4 2025. To hear the immersive tier you'll need an HDMI-capable streamer, a receiver that can decode AURO-3D, and ideally a 7.1.4 speaker array, but even a modest 5.1 setup or a quality pair of headphones reveals the uncompressed heft that others music services still downsample. Pure Audio Streaming's message is blunt: if you've invested in a reference-grade rig, why settle for lossy physical formats or anything less than studio-master fidelity, channel count? Modern Immersivephiles now have access to modern solutions.

Audiophile Insights At AXPONA 2025 Sixth Floor
Exploring next-gen high-end audio technologies.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
Alta Audio teamed up with ModWright to put together this great room with more going on than first meets the eye. As I've said several times before, I really like the Alta speakers with the curved sides when finished in gloss black, and they did not disappoint here. I noticed the absence of spikes in favor of sound-absorbing pads from either Symposium Acoustic or AV Room Service, presumably. The doublewide Solidsteel rack was filled with a confusing array of equipment. Below the blue Pure Fidelity turntable on the right was the ModWright LS 300 Reference tube balanced preamp. Below that was a ModWright power supply and a Pure Fidelity Conductor power supply for their turntable. On the bottom right was the ModWright tube Analog Bridge that fed the digital source signals up to the LS 300 preamp. On the left side of the rack was a SOTA Nova VII ($7k, starting price) turntable with an MM cartridge. Below that was the ModWright Reference PH 150 phono stage handling the signal from the blue Pure Fidelity turntable.
---> Audiophile Insights At AXPONA 2025 Sixth Floor.

06 / 10 / 25

Legendary Singer, Songwriter, And Musician Sly Stone Passes
Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart on March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, emerged from a musically enriched family that nurtured his innate talent at an early age. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Stone was immersed in the gospel traditions of his church and learned multiple instruments during his formative years. His early career saw him working as a disc jockey and record producer, which melded with his passion for performance to eventually form the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone. This group, renowned for its unique blend of funk, soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel, became a cultural beacon in the late 1960s and early 1970s, celebrated for its racial integration and innovative sound that captured the revolutionary spirit of the era.

In later years, while Sly Stone's early artistry helped define an entire genre and inspired countless musicians, his personal life was marred by relentless struggles. His battles with drug addiction and health issues, including a prolonged fight with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, shadowed the latter part of his career and life. Despite these challenges, Stone's musical legacy endured—his pioneering rhythms, socially conscious lyrics, and electrifying live performances resonated with diverse audiences and left an indelible mark on the fabric of popular music. His memoir and retrospective projects further cemented his status as a visionary whose contributions continue to inspire and reverberate across generations.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," said a statement from the family of Sly Stone. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come. Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024. We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support."

06 / 06 / 25

Hi-Fi+ June 2025 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: What Is Essential To Audiophiles
AudioQuest Rocket 44, Mackenzie RCA, And Carbon USB Cables
Audiomica Rhod, Dolomit, Europa Ultra... AcouPlex Cables And Supports 
Innuos PhoenixNET And PhoenixUSB Network Switch And USB Reclocker
finite elemente CARBOFIBRE° Statement Equipment Platform
Melco S1 Network Switch
Synergistic Research PowerCell SX Mains Conditioner
Chord Company PhonoARAY Turntable Grounding
Furutech Project V1 Cable System
Entreq Macro Box Kit Magnetic Field Control
JPlay Music Software
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "The concept of 'Audio Essentials' is at once controversial and ever-changing. It's controversial because there remains a contingent of audio enthusiasts who dismiss everything in the pages of this issue as nonsense on stilts. And it's ever changing because we keep finding more aspects of the audio chain that can benefit from a spot of care and attention. Care and attention goes beyond simply spending your way out of bad sound; it's about getting the basics right and then seeing what lies beyond. The basics too often seem like a lost art, as indicated by the Gordian Knot of cables that often features at the rear of so many systems. Simply addressing that mess of cables – and getting each component sitting level on a light, yet rigid surface – can make a big difference to even the most humble system. Similarly, ensuring where your loudspeakers – and, for that matter, you – are positioned in the listening room can bring out the best in a good system, and help smooth out the nasties in a bad one."
---> Hi-Fi+'s June 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.

06 / 05 / 25

World Premiere Review!
Acora Acoustics QRC 2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
First-class sound quality in a luxurious form factor.
Review By Rick Becker
Val Cora must have spotted my press pass when I first encountered their SRB two-way stand-mounted monitor at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest show back in 2019. He encouraged me to take a closer look and listen as I didn't seem particularly interested. It was my subconscious fear of tipping over heavy stone or aluminum speakers that I later traced back to a childhood trauma incident. Fast forward to 2023 and I've become one of Acora Acoustics' biggest fans, typically including them among the Best Rooms awards in my show reports. Not so much because I like them as because they're so damn good. Val has been a master of setting up rigs in a wide variety of rooms supported by a diverse selection of amplification and front ends. That he consistently features different top-level turntables and phono cartridges has been a particular delight, though he also showcases digital front ends. I fear that since he recently acquired Audio Research, his presentations may become more restricted to their products.
---> Acora Acoustics QRC 2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Words? Music? Both? Neither? What Do You Listen For?
How various people listen to music.
Article By Roger Skoff
I recently saw something on Facebook that caused me to do some serious thinking – not on the subject of music, but that, as I hope you'll agree, is still perfectly applicable to our music listening. It's just one simple sentence: "I never said she stole my money" –  but, as the person who posted it pointed out, it can have seven entirely different meanings, depending on which one of the seven words making it up you choose to put the emphasis on: For example, "I never said she stole my money" means something different from "I never said she stole my money", which means something different from "I never said she stole my money", which means something different from "I never said she stole my money", and so on, through the entire sentence, with each new emphasis creating a whole new meaning. Isn't it exactly the same with music? Even with classical music, where every note to be played by every individual instrument is written down and unchanging, isn't every different performance by every orchestra or every conductor still different?
---> Words? Music? Both? Neither? What Do You Listen For?

06 / 04 / 25

LEGO Idea: Akai Pro-1000 Open Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck
With many music lovers growing up enjoying LEGO, we were especially receptive upon receiving the below email from Zoltan in Hungary. His email said, "I would like to present you my creation from LEGO bricks, the AKAI reel-to-reel tape deck. LEGO has a special 'contest' named LEGO Ideas, where anyone can send his/her creation, then users can vote for it, and if enough supporters reached (10.000 supporters, which is a big number...), Lego will decide to release it as an official product." On LEGO's website, it says, "The Akai PRO-1000 was a semi-professional open reel-to-reel tape recorder deck which was made between 1977 and 1982. The primary market was the United States, Canada, and Japan, with limited availability in Europe. It had separate transport and electronics units which were joined by three cables. This was Akai's only serious venture into the semi-professional market. I am always impressed by these open-reel decks, they are so massive, powerful, and huge while they are also precious and particular. They were a beautiful decoration of the room, and as soon as a person entered, they immediately attracted attention."

"The building process of this built was truly hard and extremely difficult," says Zoltan. "Special techniques had to be used to capture the details, like the quarter distance between tiles, the large reels with holes, the whole inside structure to hold the outside casing, or the driving of the reels and VU meter, all of them needed lots of brainstorming and attempts. The grid on the top is removable, where a Lego battery is placed. The reels are rotating by the motor, and the VU meters are also moving asymmetrically synched with the rotation. The big knobs can be rotated. Reel-to-reel decks are iconic technical devices that mark an era, this format was used in the first magnetic recording systems. The digital age has replaced these now cult-like beautiful analog machines, but with this Lego built, we can relive this bygone era, it could be an impressive object of a room not just for a LEGO fan but also a HI-FI enthusiast." Analog music lovers and audiophiles should help Zoltan. If LEGO makes a Reel-To-Reel deck available, who knows, perhaps in the future an entire high-end audio sound system! Our friend from Hungary, Zoltan, said, "May I ask you to promote my project if it is acceptable for you on your blog? Just a few words and images are more than enough. Sincerely, Zoltan." Your wish is our command, and here's a link to LEGO, please support this wonderful project.

7th Heaven Unplugged: Where AXPONA 2025's Audio Dreams Soar!
Immersing yourself in the magic of music at a high-end audiophile event.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
With a look slightly reminiscent of Crazy Eddie's, the Affordable Audio Room was a bit of a mystery. Neither "Affordable Audio Room" nor "All Elite Audio" was listed as an exhibitor. All Elite Audio took me to their site online for a store opening on May 31st in Timonium, MD. The room was filled with an amalgam of more affordable brands represented by a single component from each brand, likely to be floor samples at their grand opening. My brother-in-law lives in Timonium, so there's a chance I might stop in to check them out. The Audible Solutions room was a wayward sheep from the flock of Playback Distribution rooms up on the 12th Floor. I've been a fan of this speaker brand from Lithuania since I first heard them at RMAF back in 2018 when Oz Turan was the importer. They are a very high-value line, and the presentation here confirmed that. Be sure to check the size measurements of the model that interests you, as they tend to be larger than you would guess, given their prices.
---> 7th Heaven Unplugged: Where AXPONA 2025's Audio Dreams Soar!

06 / 03 / 25

T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 Audiophile Show Is This Weekend
T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 is set to be a landmark California event in the high-end audio world, bringing together enthusiasts from every corner of the audiophile community. Scheduled for June 6th through 8th at the Hilton Orange County / Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, this three-day extravaganza builds on a rich legacy as America's longest-running high-fidelity audio show. With its "Total HiFi Experience" ethos, the event promises an immersive celebration of premium home and personal audio systems, reflecting decades of dedication to high-fidelity innovation and excellence. Attendees can look forward to a meticulously curated space that not only showcases state-of-the-art audio technology but also celebrates the art and passion behind impeccable sound quality. T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 will feature over 200 premium audio brands displaying a vast array of cutting-edge consumer electronics home audio components and sound systems.

Among its many innovative features, T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 introduces exciting new initiatives such as the T.H.E. Film Festival, where movie screenings will be enhanced by a state-of-the-art sound system provided by SVS. These additions are designed to captivate both long-time audiophiles and newcomers alike, offering a blend of interactive experiences and live demonstrations that highlight the future of audio entertainment. The seminars at T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 are designed to immerse attendees in the nuances of audio.

Seminar events open with a technical deep dive into high-fidelity acoustics and vinyl playback. Norman Varney of AV RoomService kicks off the day with "Engineered Acoustics: The Best Value in HiFi," a presentation that reveals how leveraging scientific principles can simplify room acoustics. Shortly after, J.R. Boisclair challenges long-held myths in "Discoveries, Myths and Misdirection in Vinyl Playback." Later, James Connell of Raven Audio discussing "Remastered & Remixed," where his extensive experience in classical and acoustic recording informs an exploration of how modern remastering techniques impact our listening experience. Saturday shifts into Peter Noerbaek of PBN Audio leading an experiential seminar entitled "An Immersive Listening Experience: Exploring 15 IPS Reel, Vinyl, and DSD Playback." Later, Alberto Guerra demystifies the realities behind Class D amplification, and Jak Benardete introduces the comprehensive platform of the Audiophile Directory. Sunday culminates in a festive "T.H.E. DRAWING!" celebration.

06 / 01 / 25

June Audiophile Review Magazine: Expert Insights On High-End Audio Sound Systems
In-depth analysis of the latest hi-fi audio masterpieces, trends, plus two show reports.
Five audiophile shows in the past two months. Re-read that first sentence, let it sink in for a moment. Many longtime friends of Enjoy the Music.com know we've been very, very busy. Of course there's three magazine issues too, including the June 2025 issue we just posted online. This issue of Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine offers a dynamic exploration of the high-end audio world, melding in-depth technical reviews with nuanced editorials that challenge the very notion of stereo hi-fi perfection.

This edition delves into the evolution of sound through incisive commentary on performance systems, emerging audio technology, and the contrasting perspectives of today's audiophiles and music lovers. It navigates topics ranging from the intricacies of powerful home audio sound systems to the transparent, uncolored playback most purists champion, inviting readers to reconsider what defines the "right" hi-fi sound. This thought-provoking blend of rigorous analysis and passionate opinion creates an engaging narrative for both industry insiders and dedicated music enthusiasts.

In addition to its critical insights, the issue is replete with feature articles and show coverage that shine a spotlight on the latest innovations and industry trends. It covers everything from pioneering digital high-resolution lossless music streaming solutions to the enduring appeal of classic analog formats like vinyl, offering a comprehensive look at how technology and tradition converge in today's audio landscape. We pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of sound reproduction within your home. This multifaceted approach ensures that every reader, regardless of their technical expertise or age group, finds something that resonates and inspires your personal musical journey.
---> June Audiophile Review Magazine: Expert Insights On High-End Audio Sound Systems.

Integrating New Audio Technologies Into Your Home For Stereo / Immersive High-Resolution Sound
Listening To The Future: An audiophile's AI assistant has this to say...
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin And His AI Assistant
Over the past six months of 2025, Enjoy the Music.com has taken you on a journey through six luxurious high-end audio events, each one a vibrant celebration of sonic excellence. We began in reverse order with the season's grand spectacle, HIGH END Munich 2025, the largest and most anticipated show, setting the bar high for the industry. Just before that, the more intimate Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 charmed enthusiasts with its unique vibe, followed by a polished series of events including AXPONA 2025, Montreal Audiofest 2025, and Southwest Audio Fest 2025. Each of these events brought its own distinct flavor to the high-end audio landscape. Early February greeted us with the Florida International Audio Expo 2025 — a delightful convergence of world-class audio and family fun, plus after the event your family turns into fun-filled vacationers headed to Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and beyond.
---> Integrating New Audio Technologies Into Your Home For Stereo / Immersive High-Resolution Sound.

A Clarion Call For Audio Today
The best in audio sound very close to one another.
Editorial By Alan Sircom
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!'.
---> A Clarion Call For Audio Today.

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.

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.

Raidho X2.6 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
Unlocking the enchanting potential of sonic art.
Review By Tom Lyle
The subject of this review, the Raidho X2.6 floorstanding loudspeaker, is from their newer "X" Series. In its literature, Raidho states that the "X" in this series moniker denotes "eXtreme performance for the price." Yes, their X series features four models that, on average, are priced lower than most of Raidho's other models. Even though these four models in Raidho's X series speakers might have been built to a price point, I couldn't find anything about their X.2 — including their level of technological precision, fit and finish, not to mention their sound quality — that would indicate any cost-cutting measures. On their website, Raidho mentions that the goals of the X2.6 are the same as those of all their loudspeakers, which include low noise and coloration, a "dramatic, energetic" sound with a "vast soundstage," and a detailed sound that doesn't induce fatigue, among other traits. $21,000 might be a low price for a pair of Raidho speakers, but still, any audiophile who spends this amount of money should demand a certain level of quality.
---> Raidho X2.6 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

World Premiere Review!
Defining Audio Excellence: Avantgarde Acoustic Colibri C2 Hornspeaker And C18 Subwoofer Review
Experience sonic brilliance — where dreams sometimes do come true.
Review By Paul Schumann
Let's go back in time a few years ago. It was January 2000, so that's over 25(!) years ago. The world had survived the Y2K crisis. Having recently purchased a couple of issues of Sound Practices, then listening to an amazing DIY system, was starting to catch SET (Singe-Ended Triode) fever. I was also following an audio review website that focused quite heavily on SET gear and high-sensitivity loudspeakers to use with it. That website was, of course, Enjoy the Music.com. That January back in 2000 our Creative Director, Steven R Rochlin, posted a review of the then new Avantgarde Acoustic Uno hornspeakers. They had big blue horns and looked unlike any loudspeaker I had ever seen. You could tell from Steven's Avantgarde Acoustic Uno review that they were something very special. After reading it, I had a bad case of audio envy. However, there was also family with three young children then, so extra funds were diverted to more noble causes. Realistically, even if I had the funds, the Unos were way too big for my small living room. But we all have our silly little pipe dreams, don't we?
---> Avantgarde Acoustic Colibri C2 Hornspeaker And C18 Subwoofer Review.

Vacuum Tubes Part 1: Let's Build A Vacuum Tube
Let's take a closer look at what's inside a typical vacuum tube.
Article By Grey Rollins
Passive components are all well and fine, but for audio purposes we need something that will amplify a signal. All sensors, whether they read digital bits or analog recordings, are deficient in both voltage and current when it comes to driving speakers. High fidelity reproduction of music is impossible without amplifying devices. For that matter, electric guitars, keyboards, and microphones also require amplification; so much of current popular music is dependent on amplification, as well. There are scads of devices that can amplify a signal. A full breakdown of the possibilities begins to resemble a fairly dense tree, with branches going this way and that. For most consumer applications, this decision is simple: solid-state. Only. However, music reproduction (and production — just try to tell owners of tubed Ampegs, Marshalls, Fenders, and Mesa Boogies that you're going to take away their amps....
---> Vacuum Tubes Part 1: Let's Build A Vacuum Tube.

Mark Levinson N^o 390S CD Processor Review
Incredible resolving power that breaths like real music.
Review By Alvin Gold
It should be pretty obvious even to the least observant that compact disc players are on the decline. The rate of new model introductions has slowed to a trickle as buyers switch to DVD players which are well on their way to becoming the disc spinners of choice. The reason can be summed up in two inelegant words: increased versatility. Why buy a CD player when you can buy a one that also plays DVD-Video discs, and serves a dual role in a combined hi-fi-cum-home theatre system? And as I write, even this is beginning to look old hat with the latest generation of DVD-Audio and SACD players adding still more grist to the mill. This structural change in the market is not only understandable, it is self-evidently a good idea, or it would be except that DVD player design involves serving two masters - video as well as audio - and inevitably there is a sonic price to be paid. Over time, the CD replay performance of DVD players has improved, and it will certainly continue to do so in the future.
---> Mark Levinson No 390S CD Processor Review.

How To Do A Proper Listening Test
Part 1
Article By Ethan Winer
There are two ways to assess the quality of audio devices: measuring and listening. Measuring is usually the better choice because the results are absolute, and repeatable because they avoid the vagaries of human hearing perception. But when measuring isn't practical or possible, a listening test using a music source is perfectly fine. For example, listening is needed to compare CD quality at a 44.1 kHz sample rate to "high definition" audio at 96 kHz. Both will measure the same if the frequency response is limited to the audible range, but some people believe they sound different. Another example is when comparing MP3 bit-rates, especially higher values such as 256 versus 320 kbps. It's pretty much impossible to "measure" the effect of lossy compression using traditional means because the frequency response changes from moment to moment.
---> How To Do A Proper Listening Test.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

05 / 29 / 25

AXPONA 2025 Show Report: Exclusive 11th Floor Innovations And Highlights
Rick reveals high-end audio innovations and audiophile trends.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker 
The Warfedale Elysian 4 speaker ($11k) with its horizontal veneer both looked and sounded very good. While Vinyl Sound may have hosted this room, the music was streamed over HiFi Rose gear — RA180 integrated amp ($7k) and the new RS151 Network Streamer ($5k). That was a MoFi MasterDeck turntable with UltraGold M cartridge ($7k for both), a MoFi MasterPhono preamp ($6k) below it, and an Isotek V5 Aquarius power conditioner ($3k) on the bottom shelf of the Solidsteel rack. This fine-sounding room was unusual in that it featured relatively expensive front ends in the form of the Benny Audio turntable on the right and the Taiko digital gear on the left. But the amplification from Manley Laboratories and the Hana Umami Red phono cartridge was relatively modest in price.
---> AXPONA 2025 Show Report: Exclusive 11th Floor Innovations And Highlights.

05 / 28 / 25

Mind-Blowing Revelations: InfoComm 2025 Transformative Immersive Experience
Held within the Orange County Convention Center from June 7th through 13th, InfoComm 2025 is the largest professional audiovisual (AV) trade show in North America. It brings together industry leaders, cutting-edge immersive modern audio and video technologies, and immersive experiences. Attendees can explore thousands of products related to audio, collaboration, display, audio / video streaming, control systems, enterprise IT, security, VR, higher education, and live events. Join thousands of AV professionals, industry innovators, and leading-edge technology companies under one roof, where live product demos and interactive experiences redefine the way technology is experienced. Industry giants are set to highlight breakthroughs in projection technology, immersive audio experiences, and innovative digital solutions such as flexible, foldable displays.

In addition, the exhibit floor will be segmented into several dynamic zones, with dedicated areas for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) innovations for immersivephiles, IP communications, and smart building systems. These curated spaces provide hands-on experiences where participants can explore next-generation solutions designed to improve connectivity and streamline business operations. The convergence of diverse AV disciplines at InfoComm 2025 not only underscores the rapid pace of technological evolution. It also sets the stage for transformative collaborations across global markets.

Beyond the exhibits, InfoComm 2025 offers a robust education and networking program that caters to every facet of the industry. The conference schedule is packed with keynote speeches lead by industry leaders, panel discussions, technical workshops, and roundtable sessions led by experts. Topics will range from the integration of AI and automation in AV systems to sustainable design practices and the latest trends in hybrid collaboration — reflecting the industry's response to evolving market demands. This year, special sessions will also spotlight the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) and the emerging standards in Internet Protocol Media Experience (IPMX), illustrating how interoperability across platforms fosters innovation. Moreover, the event is set to feature an innovation accelerator that shines a light on startups and cutting-edge projects, offering them a platform to connect with investors and industry veterans. With such a multifaceted program, InfoComm 2025 not only serves as a showcase of the latest immersive technological marvels, but also as a collaborative melting pot where ideas are exchanged, and the future of the audiovisual industry is envisioned.

05 / 27 / 25

ESS ES9823MPRO And ES9823PRO Advanced SMART ADC
ESS Technology has introduced two groundbreaking SABRE PRO SMART ADCs based on its patented Hyperstream IV architecture. The new lineup comprises two advanced two-channel converters that consists of the ES9823MPRO and ES9823PRO. These two units deliver an outstanding dynamic range of +128 dB per channel (up to +130 dB in mono mode) with a THD+N of -117 dB. Designed for both professional and consumer audio applications, these high-resolution ADCs set a new industry standard by offering exceptional performance, ensuring that every nuance of sound is captured with remarkable clarity. Their drop-in compatibility with previous flagship models and compact 5×5 mm 40-pin QFN package further streamline system upgrades and design integration for OEMs.

Powered by ESS's second-generation Audio Signal Processor (ASP2), the new ADCs integrate extensive custom audio processing capabilities. These capabilities include multi-band parametric EQs, mixers, stereo widening, audio expansion, dynamic range compression (DRC), RIAA pre-emphasis, crossover filtering, and automatic gain leveling. These assist in reducing, or even eliminate, the need for external DSPs, thereby simplifying design and lowering bill-of-material costs. Additionally, these devices support a comprehensive set of digital output formats (S/PDIF, I²S master/slave, TDM, PDM, DSD, DoP, and RAW). Also supported is PDM microphone input support. Furthermore, there's customizable digital filtering with pre-programmed coefficients, along with flexible interfaces such as I²C and SPI (with a master SPI port for rapid ASP2 configuration). When two ES9823(M)PRO devices are used in an ESS proprietary multi-chip mixing configuration, designers can achieve a dynamic range exceeding 136 dB, offering unparalleled audio fidelity and innovative design flexibility.

05 / 26 / 25

Julien's Music Icons Auction Features Legendary Gear And Memorabilia
Julien's Auctions, celebrated for setting records in music memorabilia, is all set to ignite a new wave of excitement with its much-anticipated Music Icons auction. On May 30 and 31 at New York's iconic Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, this dazzling event will feature more than 700 lots showcasing an impressive range of artifacts. You can bid on stage-worn instruments and exclusive performance attire to handwritten lyrics and personal mementos of legends like Kurt Cobain, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles. Perhaps the highest interest from collectors is the Kurt Cobain photo matched, and recording studio played, Hilversum Session Takamine acoustic guitar, which includes a pair of books and compact disc (CD). A standout segment of the auction is the exclusive Julian Lennon Collection, which includes rare Beatles memorabilia, unique lyric drafts, and coveted awards, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the rich tapestry of rock 'n' roll history. Collectors and enthusiasts alike are buzzing with anticipation, predicting that this auction will not only break previous records but also set new benchmarks in the world of music collectibles.

Adding to the exhilarating atmosphere, Julien's Auctions is offering a variety of bidding options to cater to a global audience — ranging from real-time online and telephone bidding to in-person and absentee bids. There is a free public exhibition at the Hard Rock Cafe that invites fans to experience decades of musical evolution up close. There are interactive installations and exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that highlight the icons' journeys. Alongside celebrating the magic of music, the event underscores a commitment to community and cultural preservation by supporting charitable initiatives such as The White Feather Foundation. With industry experts eagerly debating which items might emerge as the crown jewels of this storied auction, the Music Icons auction is poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of music memorabilia. It also reaffirms the great importance of music's deep culture that bridges the ideas and music of the past, present, and future.

05 / 24 / 25

HIGH END 2025: The Definitive Insider Report On Luxury, Innovation, And Audiophile Excellence
A timely guide to cutting-edge audio innovations at HIGH END 2025 in Munich.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Jason Kennedy
Next year, the High End Society's HIGH END audiophile show, which has been associated which has been at the M.O.C. exhibition center in Munich for nigh on 20 years, moves to Vienna. Before that, it was in Frankfurt, and Enjoy the Music.com is the only American publication to report on this major audiophile event from 2000 onward. That was 25 years ago. The HIGH END 2025 show was as popular as ever! There were plenty of familiar brands and countless others seeking exposure in the increasingly competitive high-end home audio soundscape. I had a blast listening to as many luxurious home audio systems as the time and crowds allowed. While brief, the below are the ones that really stood out here in Munich at the HIGH END 2025 audiophile equipment event.
---> HIGH END 2025: The Definitive Insider Report On Luxury, Innovation, And Audiophile Excellence.

Best Of HIGH END 2025 Blue Note Awards
Only the ultimate audio equipment deserves a special Blue Note Award.
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Jason Kennedy
Receiving an Enjoy the Music.com Blue Note Award is an extraordinary honor that sets a product apart as one of the finest within the high-end audio industry. Selected by seasoned audiophile expert Jason Kennedy, the Best Of HIGH END 2025 Blue Note Award 2025 recognizes not only groundbreaking design and innovation but also an unwavering commitment to delivering an unparalleled listening experience. It may represent the culmination of decades of expertise and careful scrutiny, underscoring every nuance of sonic perfection and technical artistry. To accept this accolade is to join an exclusive club of manufacturers and products who have achieved the pinnacle of audio excellence — a true beacon of quality and passion within a very competitive arena.
---> Best Of HIGH END 2025 Blue Note Awards.

05 / 23 / 25

HIGH END 2025: A Look Back At An Extraordinary Event
Enjoy the Music.com was sent the great news about HIGH END 2025 in Munich earlier this month. The High End Society, the longstanding industry organization that owns the event, thanks everyone for visiting HIGH END 2025 and for being a part of what was truly a remarkable gathering of the global audio industry. Thousands of attendees enjoyed an immersive experience seeing and hearing the best high-fidelity audio. The feedback from HIGH END 2025 has been inspiration as we look forward to their 2026 show in Vienna. The High End Society is overjoyed to provide us with key figures, which are independently verified, and highlights that reflect the impressive scope and international appeal of this year's HIGH END 2025 event:

22,818 private visitors from 92 countries

10,562 trade visitors from 87 countries

581 media representatives from 43 countries

501 exhibitors from 42 countries, showcasing over 1,000 brands

A sprawling 30,000 sqm of exhibition space at the MOC in Munich

These numbers are more than just statistics — they are a testament to the shared passion, dedication, and innovation that define our music loving community. The global resonance of HIGH END 2025 demonstrates once again the significance of our industry and the value of connecting in person. The high-performance luxury audio industry are already looking ahead with great excitement to the next edition. Mark your calendars for HIGH END 2026, taking place from 28 to 31 May 2026 at the Austria Center Vienna. We here at Enjoy the Music.com can't wait to see you again and continue our amazing journey in musical bliss together.
---> Learn More: Enjoy the Music.com's HIGH END 2025 Show Report.

Women In Consumer Technology Legacy Awards 2025
The Women in Consumer Technology Legacy Awards 2025 is set to be a landmark event on Friday, September 5, at the Colorado Convention Center's Mile High Ballroom in Denver during CEDIA Expo 2025. The celebration kicks off with a networking reception from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, which seamlessly transitions into the awards luncheon from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. This year marks its debut appearance at CEDIA Expo, shifting from its previous association with CES, and positioning the awards on one of the industry's largest custom integration stages at CEDIA. The event offers a dynamic forum for industry professionals to connect, celebrate successes, and foster collaborations in an environment that champions diversity and innovation in consumer technology.

This year's Legacy Awards honor a distinguished class of women leaders whose contributions span across integration firms, manufacturing, aerospace, and trade associations. Among the honorees are Michelle Lueck, Vice President of Client Services at Centricity, whose 30-year career has been marked by strategic partnerships with major players such as Walmart, Apple, and Verizon; Shari Sally, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at the Consumer Technology Association, who has been pivotal in growing the footprint of events like CES and in pioneering innovation in vehicle technology; and Michelle Troupe, Supply Chain Operations PA and Supplier Manager at Boeing, noted for her expertise in integrating advanced audio and video technologies into aerospace projects. In a notable first, the event also introduces the new Technical Excellence Honoree Award, designed to spotlight a woman exhibiting exceptional technical innovation and leadership within the industry.

Beyond individual accolades, the event reflects a broader commitment to fostering gender diversity and advancing technical excellence within consumer technology. With non-member tickets priced at $75, the Legacy Awards promote an inclusive environment aimed at empowering women across the sector. The recognition is further amplified by robust sponsorship support, segmented into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers, underscoring the collective industry's dedication to innovation and mentorship. Overall, the Women in Consumer Technology Legacy Awards 2025 not only celebrate past achievements but also serve as a catalyst for future endeavors, inspiring the next generation of trailblazers and reinforcing the pivotal role of women in shaping the future of consumer tech.

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.

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