Ken Micallef

Air Tight Managing Director Yutaka "Jack" Miura was in Munich to introduce the new Air Tight Stereo Power Amplifier ATM-1 (price TBD).

Tannoy consultant/designer Danny Cooklin gave me a proper introduction to the company’s forthcoming 70th Anniversary Autograph 12 loudspeaker, which was in the prototype stage at High Munich.

Assisted by IAD Audio’s Thomas Henke, I learned about Quad HiFi’s relaunch of their beloved 33 preamplifier and 303 power amplifier, which were available and very popular from 1967 to 1985.

With the daring, midcentury modern–influenced designs of their amplifiers, Sweden’s Engstrom paired with Marten’s new Coltrane Quintet loudspeaker for a big, bold, yet surprisingly intimate sound.

Walking around this show, your brain blurs. So much information. So little time. But occasionally, a flash of light reflecting a gold hardware detail catches your eye. Consider, for example, amplification products from HSE Swiss Huber, which are beautiful to behold and beautifully made.

Steve Jain and his Fidelity Imports crew presented six rooms at AXPONA, stuffed with debut products from across the world.

Rich Pinto of Treehaus Audiolab, which is based in Southport, Connecticut, has been dedicated to developing SET amplifiers and high-efficiency speakers since 2017. Here at AXPONA, he introduces the A/Machines 300B monoblock amplifiers ($39,000/pair), which showcase his commitment to classic design, in the sound and the aesthetics.