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Premiers and classics of audio and video at the 2020 Hi-Fi & High End Show

The main American exhibition of high class audio and video equipment Hi-Fi & High End SHOW 2020 will be held in a month, from 3 to 5 April in New York hotel “Borodino. World’s developers, key American distributors, dealers and installers of equipment and, of course, audiophiles, connoisseurs of high-quality sound and video, all those who care about how their favorite music or movie sounds, will gather here.

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The 25th anniversary show has changed venues, but not format. The exhibit will again be housed in the hotel rooms, this time in the premium Hotel Borodino, located at 3, Zagreb. New York, Rusakovskaya street, 13 p. 5. Such a format makes it possible to “hear” and see the equipment practically in “home” conditions, to visualize it in one’s own interior.

What surprises are the exhibitors preparing for its visitors?? First of all, this is a premiere demonstration of the. For example, in the rooms of the American distributor Barnsly rooms 706-712 on the 7th floor , which by the way has taken part in the exhibition for the 23rd consecutive year, several presentations of long-awaited new products will be held. Let’s start with the Burmester 175 vinyl turntable, whose development was the crowning achievement of more than 35 years of Burmester High End phono stage experience. The 60kg unit is conceived as a complete system with an integrated Burmester 100 phono stage, optimized for use inside the 175. Even the softest signals will be carefully amplified along the shortest possible path – less than 30 cm from the cartridge outlet to the phono circuitry.

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For connoisseurs, an ultimated stereo system assembled from models of the B brands will be of interestrresen Acoustics, Aavik Acoustics and Ansuz Acoustics. It will be presented by Lars Christensen, the founder of these companies himself. The oldest brand is Ansuz. Since 2012, the company has been developing and manufacturing cable products, power and network conditioners. A separate area is accessories for mechanical isolation of components. Aavik amplifiers have been in production for more than five years: both pre and termination amplifiers and integrated amplifiers divided into two lines – 150 and 300. In the older one, the new U380 integrator appeared quite recently. B-SpeakersLarsen has only been around for a year, but the Scandinavian designers have achieved astonishing results. They use the first electromagnetic driver since its invention more than 100 years ago, which contains no iron, and the ultralight ribbon tweeter has a large working surface area of the thinnest diaphragm weighing only 0.01 g. Lars hints that he may bring the first samples of the new series from Brresen!

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The next exhibit from Barnsly is Harman/Kardon’s Citation line of wireless speakers. The Citation speakers use neodymium radiators, there is a built-in DSP-processor, and table-top solutions contain passive speakers. Supports 24-bit/96 kHz high-definition audio streaming. The older Tower and Bar models are equipped with WiSA wireless technology, which is used to connect home theater components – subwoofer and rear speakers. The speakers are “tethered” to the Google Home system. Equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz and support Chromecast technology, which allows you to broadcast high-quality sound from gadgets, including popular streaming services.

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And again a world premiere – Hegel H120 integrated amplifier. It went on sale in America only in February and its American premiere to the general public at the show. It will be presented by Vice President of Hegel, Anders Ertzaid. He will tell how the Norwegians achieved a huge value of damping factor for this unit – more than 2000 units! In addition to the new product, Anders will showcase the sound of the H390, which has been named “High End Amplifier of the Year 2019/2020” by EISA and has collected a great many other awards.

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For the first time in America – Monitor Audio Bronze line of sixth generation speakers. Complementing the range is the Bronze AMS loudspeaker for Dolby Atmos and other multi-channel formats with over-the-air channels . In addition, the Bronze 6G lineup includes two floorstanders, two floorstanders, a center, a surround wall speaker and a subwoofer. The components of Roksan brand, also owned lately by Monitor Audio, will serve as a signal source and provide amplification.

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And finally, the Barnsly lineup features new products from REL, the world leader in subwoofer systems. Kirill Nenarokomov, brand ambassador and REL chief subwoofer specialist in America, will be demonstrating the new models of S and HT lines. Connection of subwoofers by high level, stereo subwoofer pair work, line arrays – all these “chips” from REL will be presented in full. In addition, guests will be able to meet with Yaroslav Grebennikov, the developer of the POWERGRIP pure power console.

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Another American distributor Digis/Alef Hi-Fi group floor 6, numbers 605-609 will present a range of wireless Naim products including Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation and Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation. The first one is a stereo and a soundbar, combines all the best of the world of home audio for avid audiophiles. Beautiful, accurate, unprecedentedly powerful 450 watts , understandable for all and equipped with all modern technologies. Housing is one piece of aluminum, no coating, just brushed metal. The soundbar is a three-way stereo system with a reflex-type acoustic cabinet. They don’t make analogs in such compact enclosures. Each speaker is connected to its own 75W amplifier that adds up to 450 watts of power!

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Mu-so Qb wireless music system is a network player, maximally trained in streaming. The model has gone beyond the standard protocols of interaction with UPnP devices – now for internal streaming from all drives, gadgets and servers you can use the audiophile core Roon, which works without restrictions on the type and format of audio data. Built-in Chromecast media player allows you to remove all restrictions on access to external streaming services.

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The Naim brand will also feature the latest generation of Naim Nait XS 3 and Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifiers. The first, in a more compact package, is a 70-watt power amplifier and five analog inputs plus an input for a vinyl record player. The preamplifier sound is defined by Naim’s trademark transparency. In addition, the NAIT XS 3 is equipped with a Class A headphone amplifier. The second – with the addition of a built-in phono stage, the Supernait 3 is the perfect partner for vinyl record players, streamers, CD players and other music sources. A class A preamplifier stage acts as the headphone amplifier. For optimum sound quality, ceramic heat radiators minimize capacitive coupling between the chassis and output transistors.

The crown of the exhibit is the uncompromising Naim 500 Series stereo system + QUAD ESL 2912. Series 500 is an elite line of split hi-fi components from the legendary British manufacturer. And to demonstrate the superior musical characteristics of the 500 series are made by the famous and almost unique ESL 2912 QUAD electrostatic loudspeakers, distinguished by excellent dynamics, no compression at almost any volume and a wide range of playable frequencies without an active bass section.

Armada Sound 5th floor, rooms 504-506 , another permanent participant in the Hi-Fi & High End Show, will feature a number of manufacturers. First, it is a French brand YBA, which visitors will be able to see for the first time in many years. Among other exhibits is system of GENESIS series components with stream function via Bluetooth. GENESIS has been designed to give the best results from this very comfortable way to listen to music. The system includes GENESIS A6 power amplifier, GENESIS PRE5A preamp, GENESIS PH1 PHONO phono stage, GENESIS CD4 CD player. The system will use the new TD 148A vinyl player from Thorens as an additional source.

A more budget, but no less valuable system from YBA will be assembled from Heritage series components. It will consist of the Heritage A200 integrated amplifier, the Heritage R100 streamer integrated amplifier, the Heritage PH100 Phono pre-amp, the Heritage CD100 CD player. Additional source – another new vinyl player Thorens TD 402DD. The magnificent Minima Amator II sound system will be the voice of the system.

Besides the Italian brand Sonus faber will present the acoustics Olympica nova III, which is the ideal solution for those who want to understand the Sonus faber’s character. Slim and elegant, the speakers offer powerful and clear sound. This model is capable of creating a unique soundstage that will not go unnoticed.

Another brand is the American Audio Research, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Another system in the exhibit will be assembled from components of this brand. The system consists of REF 3 phono stage, REF 6 preamplifier and REF CD 9SE CD player. The new REF 160S stereo amplifier as amplifier with the new case in which transformers located in the rear part received general protection – metal case with perforation . Main source – new Thorens TD 1601 vinyl player. The loudspeaker system that will voice this set is the Sonus faber Olympica Nova V – the flagship in its lineup. The low-frequency delivery is intense thanks to three woofers that combine with mid- and treble drivers to guarantee a detailed, warm and enchanting sound. The system will be placed on a revolutionary rack from Italian manufacturer Bassocontinuo – Golia.

The “cherry on the cake” at the Armada Sound will be a 100% analog High End system. The source – top turntable McIntosh MT10, it will be connected to phono stage MP1100 and double-block preamplifier C1100. The highlight of the set is a pair of new unique McIntosh MC901 hybrid monoblocks. Each amplifier has a different design concept: the MC901 consists of a 300 watt tube amplifier connected to a 600 watt transistorized amplifier on a single unified chassis. The 300-watt tube section powers the HF and HF drivers of the speaker system through eight KT88 output tubes, as well as four 12AT7 and two 12AX7A signal tubes. Transistor section provides 600 watts of dedicated power to the woofers. The voice of the system will be the Sonus faber series reference speaker, IL Cremonese, named after Antonio Stradivari’s Cremonese violin.

Be sure to check out room 504, where the “Thorens – Return of a Legend” contest will be held all day at Armada Sound!”. Visitors who take a picture with the hashtag #Thorens and post it on their social media pages can win valuable prizes from Thorens. Main prize: Thorens TD 402DD vinyl player!

In room 514 5th floor , Yamaha manufacturer will be showcasing the 5000 series product line and a full line of stereo amplifiers, including MusicCast networking features. The M-5000 amplifier incorporates the company’s latest amplifier technologies and offers high fidelity audio output. Combines a carefully developed balanced transmission system, a balanced layout for improved amplification, a symmetrical construction with full separation of the left and right channels, low impedance with reduced signal and power paths, and an improved design and a solid toroidal core transformer.

The C-5000 preamplifier is another member of the series, capable of faithfully reproducing all the nuances and emotional coloration of the performance. It features, according to the manufacturer, perfect balanced signal transmission and an ungrounded amplifier with balanced connections. In addition, a symmetrical “turn of the book” circuit, a rigid low impedance design and two toroidal transformers.

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Also on display is the GT-5000 vinyl turntable, which uses a short and straight tone arm for absolute transparency and clarity of sound and transmits a balanced, interference-free signal. The design is based on the tradition of the GT series, and the craftsmanship and quality of construction are second to none. Finally, the NS 5000 is the flagship 3-way bookshelf loudspeaker. Newly developed diaphragms deliver approximately the same sound propagation speed as beryllium. Innovative resonance cancellation chambers suppress parasitic resonance in the mid and high frequency ranges. The 3-way, 30 cm woofer half-rack design is based on designs pioneered in the legendary NS-1000M. The casing is made of laminated multi-layer plywood made of Japanese white birch from Hokkaido, Japan.

Another participant – ALLB music 5th floor, room 511 – American manufacturer of sound reproduction systems with the highest possible accuracy of audio and video records reproduction. The main difference between ALLB music systems is the ideology of their creation. The company was founded in 2007 and manufactures its own speakers for demanding customers. The Tower series, which will be presented at the exhibition, has raised the quality bar to a new level and is the fruit of serious research and careful engineering work. All ALLB music loudspeakers, including speakers and cabinets are handmade in New York. Optimized mode of operation of dynamic heads in the speakers Tower occurs due to the compliance with the designed configuration and the exact geometry of the acoustic enclosure, which provides an extremely natural sound transmission, preserving the finest shades and nuances of the recording. 

Antall, A&T Trade, Audio Deluxe, BenQ, Bonanza, Digital Fruits, Gong-AV, Homesound, MMS, Next Hi-Fi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Reezoldini, Samsung, Simple Distribution, Slonov Sound Design, Smart Audio, Smart Audio Group, Solovyovsoundsystem, SONY, SONORUSS L’Acoustics , Sonus Victor, Sonance, StereoPravda, T-ART, Triumph Audio, V-Sound, Absolute Audio, Audiomania, Quinta, Counterpoint, Techno-M, Nikitsky 12, Discorama, Dark Division, Collectomania, Gallery Vinyl, Vinylshop.by, Zavalinka Records and others.

To be continued.

Don’t forget to register in advance at the Hi-Fi & High End SHOW website

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 3
  1. Delaney

    What are some of the premier audio and video products showcased at the 2020 Hi-Fi & High End Show? Any notable classics or must-see innovations that stood out?

    Reply
  2. Brooklyn Rice

    What are some of the premier audio and video products showcased at the 2020 Hi-Fi & High End Show?

    Reply
    1. Juniper

      Some of the premier audio and video products showcased at the 2020 Hi-Fi & High End Show included top-of-the-line speakers from renowned brands like Bowers & Wilkins, KEF, and Sonus Faber. High-end amplifiers and receivers from companies like McIntosh and Marantz were also featured, along with cutting-edge headphones from Sennheiser and Focal. In terms of video products, attendees got to experience the latest in 4K and 8K resolution televisions from Sony, Samsung, and LG, as well as state-of-the-art projectors from Epson and JVC. Overall, the show highlighted the best in audio and video technology for audiophiles and home entertainment enthusiasts.

      Reply
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