Decisive Momentum for MQA at Munich High End 2016

This year’s High End show in Munich was a decisive moment for Master Quality Authenticated (MQA), the technology and the UK-based private company. Adopted by an increasing number of hardware and content partners, the revolutionary end-to-end technology that delivers master quality audio in a file that’s small enough to stream or download is now closer to become mainstream following the announcement that Warner Music Group and MQA have entered a long-term licensing deal.

Following an extremely successful edition in 2015, Munich will be once again the meeting place for all those interested in getting up to speed on the latest in high-quality consumer electronics, 5-8 May, 2016. Visitors will find approximately 500 exhibitors presenting more than 900 brands and thousands of new products.

Amadeus is now shipping the remarkable Philharmonia speakers, co-designed by world-renowned architect Jean Nouvel for both the high-end and professional audio markets. The French company initially created the speakers specifically for the Philharmonie de Paris recording and mastering studios using a unique curved structure consisting of 547 wood veneers accurately machined and assembled.

Korean company Astell&Kern (iRiver) has managed to forge an interesting niche market by developing and manufacturing portable high-resolution audio players. The company announced their latest-generation flagship portable HRA Player, the AK380, with 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD support. At the same time, Astell&Kern launched the much more affordable AK Jr.

During the 2015 High-End Show in Munich, Audio-Technica displayed a complete range of solutions for high-resolution audio enthusiasts, including its MSR7 and CKR High-Res headphone range, the AT-PHA100 portable headphone amplifier and the amazing Audio-Technica AT-HA5050H hybrid headphone amp, among other products.

During the High End 2015 show in Munich, Germany, British high-end audio manufacturer Chord Electronics introduced what the company proudly calls “the world’s most advanced digital to analogue convertor”. Given the acronym DAVE, the $12,500 (£7,995) unit integrates a reference-grade DAC, digital preamp and headphone amplifier.

Swiss manufacturer Merging Technologies confirms its new high-quality consumer D/A converter, NADAC, will be introduced at the High End Show in Munich on May 14. Following its success with the Horus and Hapi networked audio interfaces for professional applications, Merging is leveraging its technology also for the consumer market.