Published on
21st May 2024

Munich High-End 2024 (Day 1): Dan D’Agostino, Wilson Audio, Tidal & Linn

The buzz is back! It's the 2024 edition of Munich Hi-End, the largest hi-fi show in the world, and it feels like the first day at Glastonbury Festival. Amongst the hustle & bustle, we swap stories and rumours of which new hi-fi is getting previewed & launched: "Linn has SIX Mono 800 amps hooked up to a pair of 360 loudspeakers.", "You HAVE to hear the Tidal Bugattis - they make every other system sound broken, but it's strictly invite only! " We meticulously plan our route around the enormous exhibition centre, splitting into three so we don't miss a thing. The things we have to do for you. Here are our first-day highlights from the show:

Wilson Audio & Dan D'Agostino 

Watt/Puppy Remastered & new D’Agostino Integrated Amp

The Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy has been remastered. This iconic loudspeaker (a 2-way stand-mount sits on top of a bass module) celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Created by Dave Wilson, the new Watt/Puppy is a modern refinement of that first version, with the latest innovative technologies and a significant improvement in sound quality. These speakers produce another level of sonic beauty and a low-end, that is both impactful & precise. 

The Crimson Satin version comes adorned with a limited edition red medallion (to commemorate five decades of Authentic Excellence in sound reproduction and craftsmanship ). The special edition is only available through the rest of 2024. Why not take advantage of our Trade-In/Trade-Up scheme? more details here, to save on a brand-new pair.

We bump into Dan D’Agostino - the man behind the new Pendulum Integrated Amplifier. A refind, high-performance, high-end amp that will retail for £15k. It is 120 W @ 8 Ω and has an LCD display (inspired by Swiss watch design). The unit can be controlled by a Bluetooth remote control that mirrors the digital display. Dan guarantees an immersive listening experience. We can’t wait to hear it.

Tidal Audio

Tidal Audio Contriva G3 & Bugatti Royale

“If your name’s not down, you’re not coming in.” We had to pull some strings to get us into the invite-only Tidal room to hear the £450k Tidal Bugatti Royale System. However, we left having fallen in love with the Contriva G3 Loudspeakers, powered by Tidal Ferios G2 Monoblocks. Handmade in Germany, these speakers are aesthetically beautiful, with a piano wood veneer finish. They reproduce music with accuracy and lifelike brilliance — our Platonic ideal of high-end audio. “We build emotion” - this is the strapline of Tidal, and we wholeheartedly agree.

Linn Audio 

Six Linn Klimax Solo 800 Mono Amps & Jony Ives designed LP12-50 Turntable

We had high expectations for the Linn Audio Room. No less than SIX!? Klimax Solo 800 Mono-blocks to power a pair of 360 Passives, with Active bass. £225,000 of amplification. We admire their ambition.

They had an LP12-50 Turntable, designed by Jony Ives - a perfect design fit for Linn. This system reproduced music with control and insight, that classic Linn sound: comfortable, and non-threatening - like a tiger wearing woollen mittens. When playing "Bombtrack" by Rage Against the Machine, all the power & angst is devoid of any intensity and emotion. Easy-listening, rather than raw power. The sound was comparable to the design of the LP12-50 turntable - smooth, with all the sharp corners rounded off. The Linn purest will be satisfied.