Their beautifully constructed audio-dedicated devices have become a fixture in Magico’s show systems, doubtless contributing to the improved results the company has been posting in recent years. We reviewed and were seriously impressed by the massive Earth Grounding Monster, with its unique, active approach to ground noise cancelation. But if around €50K is too rich for your blood, the company is launching a new Foundation series in Munich (at around 30% of Monster pricing, but sharing technology and construction with the bigger models) while the diminutive Macro Q USB noise canceller and Macro G active Ethernet quietening device are sub-four-figures and also highly effective: the perfect introduction to the company’s innovative approach.
VTL – A4.1 E113
The VTL room is always an oasis of musical sanity – not least because they pretty much play records all the time. This year they’ll be running a real ‘Mullet’ of a ‘table, with the Kuzma Stabi R paired with a Safir tonearm. That alone makes for an interesting listening experience, especially in a system featuring the TP-6.5 phono-stage, TL-7.5 line-stage and the much-trailed Son Of Siegfried, Reference mono-blocks – now dubbed Lohengrin. Cables and speakers will be their usual Nordost Odin 2 and Wilson combination, with the Alexx V making an appearance this year. But arguably the most interesting thing won’t even be there – just a picture. After its Minion-esque prototype appearance, VTL went back to the drawing board on the chassis for the new amp. The final metal work won’t be present but a picture will. We’ve seen it and it sure is purdy!
Wadax – A4.2 E207
The Wadax quest for digital world domination continues apace. Dropping the Studio Player onto the market wasn’t so much a case of dropping a pebble and watching the ripples spread, as heaving a boulder into the middle of an otherwise placid pond. The Studio is everywhere – and on everyone’s lips – and Munich is no exception. Wadax will be represented in no fewer than nine rooms at the show, plus featuring in the Göbel factory listening rooms where the company will be entertaining invited guests on Thursday evening.
Big news (although it isn’t exactly a secret) will be the arrival of the external power supply unit and clock to start the Studio Line expansion programme. The three-box Studio rig will be seen in the Wadax and Magico (A4.1, F115) rooms at the show, with the standalone Studio Player featuring in many others. How much better (and how much more disruptive) can the Wadax Studio Player get? Only time will tell, but that story starts here.
The list in full, for easy reference:
Aries Cerat – A4.1, F111
Avantgarde Acoustic – A4.1, E124
CAD – A4.2, F224
CH Precision – A4.1 F118 (and the Peak Consult room below)
Clarysis – H4/K3
Kora High Fidelity – H2, K04
Kroma Atelier – A4.2, F219 or H2, H05
Nordost – A4.1, E112
Peak Consult – H4, U08/V01
Solen Audio – H4, T04
Stenheim – A4.2 F213
Telos Audio – H3, R10
VTL – A4.1 E113
Wadax – A4.2 E207
