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Munich High End 2011

Small Courtyards

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

I haven’t quite figured out the layout of the M.O.C., but I’ve enjoyed the small courtyards which connect the different halls. Here, people take breaks from the action inside, to read, drink, and eat. This particular section has the look and feel of a small beer garden.

I love Germany.

Munich High End 2011

A Smile, a Balloon

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

Sales coordinator Rosemarie Torcivia smiles for the camera; a large balloon hovers in the background, announcing the 2011 Munich High End Show.

Munich High End 2011

Arriving At the M.O.C.

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

We were impressed by the size and overall design of the M.O.C., site of the 2011 Munich High End Show.

Munich High End 2011

A Perfect Place to Work

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

Connecting to the Internet in my small room at the Park Inn&#151nothing fancy, but a perfect place to work.

Munich High End 2011

Welcome, Mr. Mejias

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

As I opened the door to my little room, I was greeted by the distinct buzz of television electricity. I wondered if someone was inside, waiting for me.

No such luck, but I found something similarly delightful: A friendly greeting from the hotel, in charming, 8-bit glory.

Munich High End 2011

Eroticland

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

As we climbed the stairs into the sunlight and ventured out onto Frankfurter Ring, we were happily surprised to find that our hotel was right next door to a curious place called Eroticland. Somehow, this seemed appropriate.

Would this turn out to be a sexy hi-fi show?

Munich High End 2011

The S1 to the U2

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

We took the S1 to the Feldmoching stop where we transferred to the U2. From there, Frankfurter Ring, and our lovely little Park Inn were just moments away.

Munich High End 2011

A Sign of Things to Come

Stephen Mejias May 19, 2011

As we raced to catch the bus that would take us from Manhattan to Newark Liberty Airport, Rosemarie Torcivia and I were caught in an incredible downpour&#151rain like we rarely see it in New York City. Our trip to Germany for the 2011 High End Show had gotten off to a soggy start. Was this a sign of things to come?

Budget Component Reviews Turntable Reviews

Rega RP-1 record player

Art Dudley May 19, 2011

I tried to name a high-end audio product that's been recommended more often than the Rega Planar 3 turntable. I failed.

The closest I could come was Rega's own RB300 tonearm, surely the best-selling perfectionist tonearm of all time. After that came the Rega Planar 2 turntable, a sample of which I owned and loved in the early 1980s. Next on my list was the original Rega Elys, a moving-magnet cartridge that sounded as chunky and direct as it was cheap and magenta.

Turntable Reviews

Brinkmann Audio Bardo turntable

Michael Fremer May 19, 2011

I won't debate here how to make a turntable's platter go around. Choose your favorite: belt vs direct drive, idler wheel vs belt, spring-windup vs wind power, whatever. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to debate. Each of these technologies has its pluses and minuses, but none can produce CD's accuracy of speed and inherent freedom from wow and flutter.