Ken Micallef

"Immerse yourself in extraordinary acoustics and thrilling inspirational insights," trumpeted the JBL "Summit of Sound" press release. Present at the event were Harman Luxury Audio top brass Dave Tovissi, Jim Garrett, and Paul Neville, with Harman's David Glaubke moderating.

My last stop of the show was a real highlight. The only Kondo Audio Note equipment I'd heard up till then was at a friend's home in New York City. His setup included a Kondo Ongaku integrated amplifier, a Kondo KSL-SFz SUT (step-up transformer), Kondo silver interconnects (KSL-LPz and Ls-41), and Kondo KSL-SPz silver speaker cables. The sound was consistently beautiful, very natural, with a touch of romanticism.

If it's large and yellow, it's got to be Tonar! The European analog-accessories giant showed up in full force at Munich, its towering yellow signage and jam-packed booth instantly switching my brain into consumer overdrive.

This massive system—anchored by the world premiere Avalon Acoustics SAGA Signature loudspeakers, amplification from Nick Doshi, and Acustica Applicata's Volcano Modular Variable Resonator—produced deeply involving sound.

Ortofon's Louis Dorio was demoing the brand's new cartridge lineup, featuring the MC X10 with elliptical stylus ($299), MC X20 with nude elliptical stylus ($499), MC X30 with nude fine-line stylus ($699), and MC X40 with nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever ($999).

Jacky Lee, CEO of French manufacturer Revival Audio, presented a fine system that included an Electrocompaniet ECM 1 MKII high-end DAC and music streamer ($5800, all prices approximate when converted from Euros), an EMC 1 MKV Reference CD player ($7300), an EC 4.8 MKII Reference preamplifier ($5700), and Electrocompaniet's AW 800 M Reference stereo/monoblock amplifiers ($24,000 each).

At High End Munich, the shared booth of Prague-based Remton Audio and Fonolab inevitably caught my eye. Beautifully crafted phono gear always stands out, especially when it reflects deep analog passion.

After meeting Thuono Audio co-founder Eleonora Bonollo at the brand's static display in 2024, it was a pleasure to see the Italian entrepreneur demonstrating a full playback system at this year's High End Munich.

Lansche Audio just celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking the occasion by unveiling a carefully curated system at the Munich show. The setup integrated new products from two renowned analog companies: Klaudio of Japan and Reed of Lithuania.

This system, largely composed of Viva Audio components—including three world premieres—was supported by a mix of modest and high-end source components.