Welcome to Michael Valentine Studio

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Press conference with Dominique Fils-Aimé

I was asked if I “needed a translator” as much of the conference was conducted in German (apart from Dominique Fils-Aimé’s contribution). As I felt it was own fault and my own misguided school youth that I cannot speak German, I politely declined the request. Kudos to all native Austrians and other nationalities who attended I interacted with who are multi-lingual!

Press conference with Dominique Fils-AimÃ©

Observation Report & Patron Feedback

4 June 2026 marked the debut for the High End Vienna Show. This show originates in Munich (High End MOC Centre Munich) beginning in 1982. Due to the show’s increasing popularity amongst trade and enthusiasts, organisers decided a bigger, more versatile venue was needed.

“… I spend as much of my time as possible travelling the world to absorb as many hi-fi shows as I can. I live in the US and hi-fi and music is my thing. There are a number of shows I have experienced on home soil, such as Axpona and the Capital Audiofest. Both great shows! I attended the Munich shows many times, so I am looking forward to the experience of this bigger venue with more on offer!”

Steve from New York, USA

“I have attended this show many times when it was based in Munich. I did not hesitate to buy my ticket for Vienna as I love the variety and quality this show represents. For me, I prefer the organic approach to music reproduction. I have a number of reel to reel tape machines and much older designed amplifiers that you will not see here, however, I am always on the lookout for equipment that might encourage me to move in another direction, or persuade me to update. I do like some of the valve amplifiers I have experienced today.”

Richard from Germany

Show statistics:
500 Exhibitors from 41 countries
1.000 Brands
23,109 from 104 countries on four days (4 - 7 June)
10,603 trade visitors from 93 countries
11,957 visitors from 76 countries
549 media representatives from 45 countries

After many years of procrastination, I finally made it to High End Vienna (formerly High End Munich). This is an iconic visit for me, as this is the first high end hi-fi show hosted in the wonderful Austria Centre Vienna (ACV). The ACV is spacious with super clean facilities. Organisers provide patrons with various online & printed guide / show booklets. A human is also ready to answer questions with a 3d building model – floor plan on each of the five floor levels. Even the local hotels are kitted out with various show information booklets and guides! Press are provided with various show information, a free local area transport pass and dedicated spacious area to converge with complimentary hot & cold beverages provided. I am grateful for such a warm welcome from organisers and hi-fi company representatives.

Here we have six pages of high end hi-fi photographic audio nirvana (it easily could have been ten plus pages) but I had to stop somewhere! I began my physical tour of the ACV from the top floor ( level 3) and slowly worked my way down to – level 2 over three days. With so much to hear, photograph and discuss, I simply gorged on all things hi-fi and music!

Qualiton proving ‘less means more’

Sometimes less does actually mean more in my world. My favourite presentations were from smaller rooms with less physical electronics involved. Since converting to valve amplification a few years ago (after being a solid state amplifier junkie for most of my life) I found it was valve amplification that left me feeling musically satisfied. Rooms such as Argento Audio, utilising the controlled musical talents of the Engström ARNE integrated amplifier. Or the hORNS Speakers, Qualiton Amplifiers & Albedo Pure Silver Connections + Len HI-FI rooms showcasing the wonderfully dextrous A75 Integrated Amplifier. These were an example of some of the rooms many patrons (including myself) felt encouraged to stay just that little bit longer.

MartinLogan Neolith & Final ESL's (at last)

With so many top quality demonstrations on offer, I would be surprised if I met someone who did not walk away satisfied, or at least curious? If you did not listen to something that turned your ears, you are extremely hard to please! Perhaps you found the show an education in some way shape or form? I certainly did. The saying ‘every day is a school day’ certainly rings true here. As a long-time fan of electrostatic speakers, it was great to experience such a varied and wide range of electrostatic (or various panel) speakers on offer. It was also great to finally hear music through the revered MartinLogan Neolith Loudspeakers. The MartinLogan Neolith is a rare sight in the UK at shows, or in any UK home environment. To be able to experience ‘Final’ ESL’s (Nordyx Audio, Final & Bryston) and discuss Final panel construction methods with Marten Smits (Final demonstrator) was also rewarding.

Mark Levinson & JBL rocking our world!

How low can you go? Well, Dean Little from Harmony HI-FI proved the JBL Summit Everest Loudspeakers, coupled with Mark Levinson’s No. 631 monaural amplifier combo can deliver lower frequencies (bass depth) to levels many systems can only dream of. With assistance from bass-baritone and VoicePlay vocalist Geoff Castellucci, this demonstration had many patrons looking at each other in absolute shock. The song title “The Sound of Silence” (via Mark Levison No 519 CD & Digital Audio Player) appeared to be a tad misleading on this occasion.

Though I thought my working from the top downwards approach at this show would be infallible, I have already been prompted by viewers asking (or advising) of missed opportunities. One particular room I sadly missed was Prodigio Audio presenting their stunning Vitorla full-range electrostatic loudspeakers? Well, in true classic movie one liner style, “I’ll be back!”

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio
June 2026

Featured exhibitors:
Argento Audio, Artesania Audio, Audio Flight, Avantgarde Acoustic, Broadmann, Cessaro Horn Acoustics, Dan D’ Agostino - Wilson Audio with Audio Reference GmbH, Elac, ESD Acoustic, Eversolo, Fono Acoustica, Frontiers & Pathos, Gryphon Audio Design, Horns Speakers, Qualiton Amplifiers & Albedo Pure Silver Connections, JBL & Mark Levinson, Klipsch + Onkyo, Luxman, MartinLogan, Len HI-FI, Mortion Audiosysteme Mavis, MBL, MP&S Klangwelten, Nordyx Audio - Final & Bryston, Project Audio Systems, ,Stenheim, TAD, VAC – Acora, Vienna Acoustics, Voxativ, Wiener Lautsprecher Manufaktur, Wilson Audio, Wilson Benesch & Zensati - Vitus Audio - Lirogon & Everest

Argento Audio

I have now experienced various Engstrom amplification combined with Kroma loudspeakers at other hi-fi shows and I am never disappointed. The Engström ARNE Integrated Amplifier combined with Kroma Atelier Thais Loudspeakers proved to be a winning musical formula to my ears. Power, control and musicality that is tough to walk away from.