Hi all, it’s a bit early to start the thread…, but I wanted to make sure I am better prepared for the show report, and triggered to look for things I might otherwise miss.
So first. Yes I plan to visit the high end and the high end deluxe. Unfortunately I am not a professional visitor so I can only visit three days: 2 days at the high end and one day at the hifi deluxe. As usual I will try to report my impressions from the show including a complete view of all the music I hear (I guess for some of you the even better part of the report).
Second. Toucan try to influence my visit by asking me to look at specific things. I will try to include some things, while I can’t promise anything. As the venue is new I need to at first loose sometime to get to terms with the new setup. In the past I could more or less find rooms blindly. Please be aware it’s sheer impossible in two days to cover everything. One would need four days to be able to cover more or less everything. However with input I can try to hit more effective what interests everybody. Obviously I will have a look at the Naim reveal of the new 500 series ….. but you know already what I will write the old 500 is broken in comparison with the new….., but seriously it would be nice if Naim would have something impactful to show.
Third. If possible I am happy to meet others who are visiting, just leave me a message.
Fourth. Please keep in mind that I am not a professional reviewer and don’t have the golden ears some on this forum have. So please don’t take my comments only for granted…., and please keep in mind it’s difficult to describe how different something sounds after hearing the 50th setup…, some level of fatigue sets in.
Fifth. Please let me know if you would like to see some changes in my style of reporting. As I do this already a couple of years, I have developed a style of reporting…, but I am of course open to improvement suggestions.
Sixth. Please use this thread to already also publish news which is relevant for the show. So we can warm up.
Seventh. Please give me also suggestions for songs I could request in a demo for critical listening. I have some myself, but any input is welcome.
Finally this week on the 22nd of May just after the high end I lost my lovely friend Yang. He is still daily in my mind and I would this year honor him again with publishing the report. Enjoy the music, live is too short.
One of the things I have myself on the list to hopefully hear at the show is the Uber Music server the Taiko Olympus. Any report I have seen is extremely positive. And yes I know it’s for me outside my budget.
Let me also leave a separate request. As always there are limitations to consecutive posting without other forumnites responding (7 or 8 posts I belief). I would request you upfront to help me when I start the publishing on the thread….., as it’s annoying when I am in the flow and can’t keep on publishing. Perhaps this year I might also experiment with live from the show things.
Thank you in advance. And perhaps @Richard.Dane can you see if you temporarily can lift this limitation for me on this thread during and shortly after the high end please ?
Bert, I think that your style is part of what makes the report Interesting and readable. It is something that you have developed and I guess are comfortable with, so for me keep it up.
As what to listen to, it’s hard to work out, 500 exhibitors, 1000 brands. It seems that many are far east wholesale, so possibly easy to weed out. Music first, so I wonder what Chesky will be showing?
SOUNDSCLEVER is a recognized standard and an orientation guide for all visitors to the HIGH END. It provides recognition to complete playable audio systems offering extraordinary sound performance for less than EUR 5,000. A technical and musical experience for the discerning audiophile.
During the HIGH END exhibition, various professionals from the industry will present their contribution to the HIGH END SOCIETY’s SOUNDSCLEVER initiative. The rules are the same for all specialists: aside from the provision that a set is ultimately not allowed to cost more than EUR 5,000, there are no restrictions. Thus, the combinations are expected to reflect the full spectrum of the audio industry: either strictly digital, high-end analog or both combined in one hi-fi system.
Direction signs bearing the SOUNDSCLEVER logo will show you the way to a clever audio system at the HIGH END.
According to the the review by What HiFi? of the NAC552 and NAP500 from a few days back it looks like they are here to stay for a while longer..
"25 years is a long time for any product to be in production. Having talked to Naim’s representative, there is no sign that this pre/power is going to be put out to pasture anytime soon. We are glad of that.
The Naim NAC 552/NAP 500 DR pairing remains an exceptional performer and is up there with the best we have heard at this level. Highly recommended."
During the High End show in Munich in 2024, I talked to the people from Naim, and their answer regarding the new 500 Series was that they would be surprised to see it before 2028.
Just saw the release of the Wilson Audio Autobiography speakers, for people with a small budget (790K)…., guess I will have the opportunity to see and hear it in Vienna….
What Hi-Fi? are absolutely right. It’s an amazing length of time, especially for electronics when you consider how quickly things seem to be advancing in this field. I recall many years ago when I was purchasing a 252 feeling rather miffed that I couldn’t go for the 552. Especially as a 252 isn’t a poor man’s 552, it’s an entirely different proposition. I could no more afford one then than I can now. One of those products that simply remains out of reach for me.
It was the same in my teens when I aspired to a Shure V15MkIII cartridge. I just didn’t have the money so I had to settle for an M95ED, the model just below it in the range. In the same way, it wasn’t a poor man’s V15MkIII, which made it all the more annoying.
I once read a re-review of the 250DR on the HIFI Critics magazine (2022) then after a while a new NC 250 (2023) pop up. I find the timing of the WhatHiFi to be weird. A 500 is coming. I can sense it.
….. but you know already what I will write the old 500 is broken in comparison with the new….., but seriously it would be nice if Naim would have something impactful to show.
