High End Vienna 2026 Report Part Seven – Hall X2

June 15, 2026

JOIN MICHAEL AS HE SNOOFLES AROUND THE HUGE HALL X2 OF HIGH END VIENNA 2026

High End Vienna 2026 Report Part 7 – Hall X2
Vienna High End Report 2026

HiFi PiG’S Michael dives straight into the action in Hall X2 of the Austria Center Vienna, for his first report from High End Vienna 2026.

If you want to check out our previous reports from High End Vienna 2026 in the Austria Center Vienna, you can find Part One here, Part two here, Part Three here, Part Four here., Part Five here and Part Six here

Michael’s report of this hall concentrates on the stands with listening booths, for static stands you will find his photo tour at the end of this piece.

AUDIO GROUP DENMARK

ROOM A

The Audio Group Denmark rooms were my first stop at the show, where I was met with a very warm smile by Emil, a guy I’d never met but who made me feel like a longtime friend, welcoming me and setting me off to a great start.

The room had a relaxed atmosphere, with a beautiful, bright backdrop of Central Park that offered a view of nature to balance the manufactured products on display. Everything in the setup was part of the Audio Group Denmark family, which is a seriously appealing line of kit. I was drooling, and this was only the first room. At this rate, I was gonna be dehydrated and fast!

Two world premiere sets of speakers were on display – the sublime Børresen A1 standmounts, paired with their BM2 bass modules. Seriously good stuff! The electronics at the core of the setup was an Aavik U-301 Unity integrated amplifier (another world premiere), which “uses an amplification stage derived from the proven Aavik I-x88 platform, based on advanced Pascal Class D technology with high-speed UMAC modulation”. It’s an all-in-one streaming DAC, too, and was connected to an Ansuz A3 PowerSwitch and a cable loom of the same name. I was so surprised by the text display on the large LCD screen. I could actually read the words, which is often a challenge on other devices, proper, old-school font/type in red, like, proper electronics.

Life Behind Glass by Sohn was mellow and languid, with so much clarity and precision. Loved it! Johnny Cash, singing ” The Sound Of Silence ” stopped me in my tracks with the rich, deep timbre of his latter-day voice. The sound was fantastic, and so human. I could have sat here all day, just bathing in the superb sound and gorgeous kit.

What an amazing start!

There is also a video interview with Stu and Michael Borresen coming very soon!

high end vienna 2026 report part 7
Vienna High End report 2026

ROOM B

It was so cool to see the wee, squeaky HiFi PiGgies had already found their way to here before I arrived. Seeing them perched on the gear immediately brought a smile to my face.

Wow. Just wow! Room B was like walking into a supersized version of the first room. Talk about presence. Speakers hooked up here were the Børresen M1 Gold Signature

stand-mounted beauties (they also had a pair of X1 standmounts), along with their BM3 subs. Sitting atop the stack was the sizeable Aavik SD-880 Streamer/DAC, and what a sight it was to behold. Even bigger LCD on this one, and with white text this time. I could just about have taken out my contact lenses and still see the script; it was that legible and crystal clear! A far cry from many of the big screens out there, with minuscule text/metadata.

The heart of the rack was equally striking, featuring a pure class A Aavik I-880. integrated amplifier (2×200 W into 8 ohms). Solid, utilitarian, and built like sturdy machines with ultra precision. Here, the cable loom was Ansuz D-TC Gold Signature.

Elvis was crooning away when I walked in, and he never sounded so engaging and lifelike. What a joy to hear. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Waiting For You ” was equally emotive, with so much air and space. Fantastic.

ROOM C

Some ultra smooth jazz here, but not the insipid kind. The track was From Dusk to Dawn by George Duke. Oh, the bass was so deep!! Tight, controlled, and so focused, letting all the percussive elements cut through with pinpoint accuracy and clarity. Great control and timing too! I could physically feel the air moving here. Top class. Can it get better than this?

Frits Dalmose was another lovely bloke who gave me a great explanation of the Class D integrated Aavik I-558 build quality. The chassis has no aluminium, favouring stainless steel, paired with a layer of copper trim in a ‘sandwich’ build.

Speakers were Børresen C3. Other Aavik electronics were a P-588 power amp, an SD-588 streaming DAC, and an R-588 phono stage. Some more Ansuz for the cable loom here, as well as a pair of Ansuz D3 power switches/ethernet distribution. This time it was their D3 range.

Oh, and it was lovely to see yet another little HiFi PiG on the system rack. Top marks, folks!

SILENT POUND

Yet another little piggy made its way to this room, and the guys from Silent Pound were delighted to point the wee guy out, sitting proudly on one of the large Bloom standmounts. The superb speakers had a new Alcantara finish. (widely used in luxury automotive interiors) and were awarded Editor’s Choice last year by our chief, Stu. Great guys in this space. I was made to feel so welcome.

Another relaxed affair, great lighting and a mellow vibe. The trumpet on this track was so present, with fantastic dynamics – rise and fall, ebb and flow, just excellent. The Java HiFi Double Shot 400 integrated amplifier had a striking style I’d never quite seen before, looking, for all the world, like a spaceship module crossed with a classy home projector, and very futuristic with its fibreglass casework, offset by some organic curvaceousness. This model was an exclusive for the show and would look perfect alongside the Challenger II loudspeakers from the Lithuanian brand Silent Pound. Sadly, these weren’t in situ while I was there but looked superb in the corner.

Details were so vivid, and almost tactile – with a lovely forward presentation. Elsewhere, percussive jazz guitar chords had perfect timing and attack. Completing this setup was a Linn Selekt DSM network player and HMS cables.

You’ll be able to find out more in the video we made with Audrius of Silent Pound very soon.

ATOLL ELECTRONIQUE / ATOHM LOUDSPEAKERS

Almost missed this one, walking by the slightly discreet sound booth entrance. Blink, and you can miss some of these rooms on the first pass, with so much to see and hear.

I had an Atoll Electronique SDA200 on loan for a while and found it a superb streamer/DAC, so it was nice to check out the newer SDA300. As an all-in-one, it really does the job. The chrome finish of these boxes really appeals to me, and they look so uniform with their smooth, curved machining. They made for a nice offset balance with the white oak finish of the Atohm Sirocco 1.24 standmount speakers (2-way bass reflex)

The gorgeous track “novembre” by French singer November Ultra was full of life. She has a wonderful purity and innocence in her voice. The sound was lush and rich, with a very layered soundstage. It’s a bonus, at these events, to discover artists you enjoy.

The ubiquitous HiFi show staple Keith Don’t Go, was next. Nils Lofgren’s guitar was crisp, and the live performance felt fully intact and engaging. Every pluck, chord strike, and string attack was perfectly forward and effortless sounding.

INDIANA LINE

I especially liked the sleek, white finish of the flagship Lira 6, 3-way floorstanding speakers; they have a very clean form factor. They were being driven by the NAD M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, which was a great match.

Hoist The Colours, from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, was a cinematic, room-filling experience. It was expansive yet intimate, and I was drawn in by Bobby Bass’s voice and the rich, deep timbre of the male harmony vocals. I could feel it in my chest, which isn’t something you always get with music.

The next track was another vocal-centric piece, with a sparse female solo singer. Her diction was fantastically rendered here, and the occasional flashes of percussion threw far and wide into the room. The piano was gorgeous and glassy with such a relaxing sound. So much so that I closed my eyes to be fully present in the moment; after all, music is meant to be heard and to remind us to feel good. This system and the music certainly did that, in spades.

PYLON AUDIO / FEZZ

I found a warm, tube-driven hug in the sound of this room, with the family-run Fezz from Poland and their fellow countrymen, Pylon Audio. It was effortless to listen to the female vocal jazz coming from the Pylon Audio Jade 10 standmounts, driven by a full suite of Fezz products, from the 60W, KT88-loaded Titania PA MK2 Power Amplifier, to a Sagita Prestige Vacuum Tube Line Preamplifier. It rounded off with the Equinox Vacuum Tube D/A converter.

What a great, laid-back sound. I loved the aesthetics of these components, classic, with a gorgeous finish, nicely rounded casework, and a subtle product logo and backlighting. Instruments like the piano and strings sounded perfectly natural and acoustic on a beautiful, atmospheric track.

I was so absorbed in the audio that I felt so relaxed after my visit. Perfect chill-out time. That might also have had something to do with the room vibe, which was dimly lit and a welcome break from the hubbub of the event, albeit for a short time. I mentioned my impression, and the response was, “That is the intention.” I say they fully nailed it!

JAMO

At the Jamo room press conference, which hailed the relaunch/revival of the brand, the first track was a mellower listen, a simple cello-and-piano instrumental arrangement of “Chasing Cars” (Snow Patrol). Admittedly, I’m not into the original version, but the track’s more acoustic qualities had a live feel and a warmth that endeared it to me. In the words of the demonstrator, Jamo intentionally aimed for “…a comfortable, understated sound,” that you can easily live with.

I found myself thinking that my wife would fully approve of these Concert Element 70 – passive, compact floorstanders, despite having no great interest in HiFi. I appreciated the basic, simple solution that just works well, while the option of custom fabrics/colours is a nice touch, and part of their design concept. They are down-firing ported to avoid back-wall interference. Similarly, a bookshelf model is coming soon, designed to interact with and benefit from the furniture/shelving, on which they are placed,

It was paired with a Class D Onkyo Muse Network Integrated Amplifier, utilising minor Dirac room correction. The system was all wired using XLO cable.

The Concert Legacy 11 features three 165mm Scan-Speak woofers that anchor a 3-way architecture extending to 26 Hz. These are also downfiring and are conceived to continue the Jamo tradition that made their name. Sustainable, efficient materials have been the focus for Jamo, while avoiding following its peers. The upper section can be separated and used as a bookshelf speaker. The system had a lively, full, and driven but tightly controlled presentation.

I was reminded again to stop, breathe, and take in the sensory wave of sound I was feeling. It’s all too easy to get distracted and forget just to listen. A rendition of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails was expansive while maintaining real intimacy. A cover of Wicked Games showcased a lead vocal deeper than Barry White’s at his lowest register, and I could feel and hear the full range of this low end with a very smooth, rounded balance.

The series will soon expand with the Legacy 8 bookshelf, available in oak veneer with three finishes (white, black, natural). There is also an active model in the planning stage.

AUDIOWARE

This room showcased a variety of brands, but what caught my eye was the presence of ART loudspeakers, which I’d checked out at a previous demo in Edinburgh. As a Scotsman, I’m biased, but I consider Emotion Carbon 8 to be excellent. The other room components comprised of: Totaldac d1-total DAC/streamer, ASR Emitter II Exclusive HV Amplifier, KCR Arriba Titan 100PP.

An acoustic, instrumental live version of Eric Clapton’s “Layla” was playing, with great depth in the soundstage and a bright, smooth presentation. Very easy to listen to. I was drawn in to chat about power supply and LAN filter products from EAhibrid too and would love to check out their stuff in my home setup.

ELIPSON

This sound from the Elipson Legacy 3230 II floorstanding speakers had a very lively snap with a nice, full, rounded sound. They are a 3-way model, containing a subwoofer loaded with a pair of 21-cm-diameter speakers. Perched on top is a resin sphere housing a 15 cm-diameter midrange speaker and a wide-dispersion AMT tweeter.

I was mostly aware of the busy bass guitar line providing tight control over the ostentatious track, “Rage Hard” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The rack included an Elipson PLF Preamplifier and a pair of their A2700 power amps. A WiiM Ultra was handling streaming duties.

REVIVAL AUDIO

I loved the sound and retro styling in this room. Also, all products were really well laid out and labelled. No guesswork here to suss out the different speaker models. Hats off to CEO and founder Jacky Lee and the team for a great exhibit. Lovely guy too! The 2-way ATALANTE 3 bookshelf-sized speakers (a High End Premiere) were showing off how cool The Pink Panther theme could sound, with superb instrument separation. In particular, the upright bass was so dominant but never overbearing.

The upcoming SUB 12 active subwoofer (launching later this year) was a first for listeners, and it truly brought out the full range of this great combo. Both speaker/sub models are real lookers too, in a walnut veneer. The standmounts had excellent detail, with a laser-etched brand logo. The accompanying stands were equally classy, tall, and slender. The aesthetic matched the high-quality Assos woodworking (from Greece) of the stands and system racks incredibly well. Top quality craftsmanship.

Handling the power was an Electrocompaniet AW 800 M Power Amplifier. The juxtaposition of retro class with contemporary was a winning combination. Also in the mix were a STREAM3 PhoenixDAC, an Electrocompaniet EMC 1 MKV Reference CD Player, and an EC 4.8 MKII Reference Preamplifier. SH Audio Creation provided cabling.

KECES

Keces from Taiwan had a cool system comprised of: Ephono+ (MM/MC/DS Phono Preamp – with separate power supply), Ewave Audio Grade Switch, Euphony DAC, S4 Stereo Preamplifier, with separate low noise linear power supply (S4 Power), IQRP-3600 Isolated Quantum Resonance Power Conditioner, with its P28 28A Ultra Low Noise Linear Power Supply. Finally, the mighty S300+ Power Amplifier (Mono/Stereo). Not forgetting the Dual CS 718Q manual reference deck. Loudspeakers were the superb Audiovector R6.

The vocals on the version of Bohemian Rhapsody were a delight and sat perfectly dead centre on this enticing system. It was a feast, not just for the ears but for the eyes too! I loved all the UV meters and multi-coloured LEDs on this gear. An excellent vocal harmony track (Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford) expertly demonstrated the soundstage and spatial quality, with bright, crisp “oohs”, and “ahhs”, and finger clicks/handclaps. What a fun track. Go check it out.

IO DESIGN

The first thing that struck me about the kit in here was the dimensions. A big presence would be an understatement. Talk about a visual impact, which Davide from the company told me was the desired effect. “We did the homework”, he said. While many manufacturers are opting for smaller boxes, these certainly run counter to that growing trend. Nice to see they were so bold with their concepts.

Loudspeakers were IO Design Grantorino (a premiere). Amps and Digital by Ypsilon Electronics: Preamp – PST-100 MKII, Helius Monoblocks, DAC 1000 MF, and S100 Streamer (another show premiere). Cables from Silversmith Audio: Fidelium Speaker Cable and Interconnects. Finishing touches were also provided by IO Design, with their new Veloce power cable and a custom rack prototype.

Auld Lang Syne, played on violin/viola as an instrumental version, really spoke to the Scotsman that I am. How did they know? Just a coincidence, of course, but it caught my ear in more ways than that one. It was a broad sound with lots of depth. I was drawn to the drivers’ sound at times, but I could absolutely live with what I was hearing, big sound, big components.

AMPHION / NUPRIME

This room was a real treat—a simple, neat, and airy room with mostly black-finished components on a black rack. Exceptions were the Nuprime boxes in silver. All very nice and monochrome. Amphion’s Argon 7 floorstanders had weight and punch but could equally deliver a beautiful female vocal with a sound that just hung in the air without drawing me to the speakers. Nicely done.

Nuprime kit included: FlexAmp1200, IDA Fusion-10: Stereo integrated amp, Fusion 8D: Multi-channel DAC, SW-9X: High-end 8-port gigabit Ethernet Network Switch. Among other gear for their 5.1 systems.

FS MUSICAL SYSTEMS

It was a welcome change of style to hear Bjork playing here, and I was immediately impressed by the sheer level of detail from this system. Every drop was on display, on an ambient track with multiple sound effects firing off here and there, expertly recreated.

These high gloss System 2 standmounts, coming to market for the first time (composed of an actively corrected 8“ full-range driver), cut a striking image in high gloss white with solid-looking stands beneath and equally shiny bases. Lots of chrome finishes and touches reeked of high quality, too. They were equal parts classy and futuristic/modern with their smooth, rounded edges. Flowing lines with a keen eye for style and aesthetics. Even at lower volumes, in different passages on a classical strings track, there was presence and brilliant dynamics at play.

The rest of the setup was: T+A M 200 Mono Power Amplifier, FalkenOhr audio furniture, WestminsterLab Rei amplifier, Merging HAPI MK III Modular Audio Interface, and an NVR reference power conditioner. The cables were VIABLUE.

ADMD

On show here was the Syntra system, “The art of synergy”. The Line DAC and active speaker pair are designed to operate “…as a true whole”. Stu Smith recently reviewed the ADMD Audio Line DAC (RCA) and awarded it the Editor’s Choice distinction. It’s jaw-droppingly great equipment.

The sound was so inviting and gave me another welcome few minutes of calm to soak in the smooth sounds of jazz trumpet from Chris Botti, whom I once had the good fortune to see live at The Blue Note in New York. The music was such a delicate and joyful experience.

The two components are equally luxurious, without being overly flashy. The speakers have a beautiful natural oak finish, and the high-gloss chassis is gorgeous. Both have curves to die for! Imre Szabo is such a lovely guy, too! Amazing stuff!

LU KANG AUDIO

The standmounted, 2-way Spoey-200 GD speakers from Taiwan were instantly impressive, both in looks and sound. The GD refers to the Internal Grounding System (KOJO Technology) – ‘Grounding sealed in, sound set free.’ I asked about the ‘Spoey’ name and loved hearing that the S is the initial of the owner’s son and ‘poey’ is his own name. What a nice, relatable touch (as a parent of two young kids).

A live rendition of ‘I Will Survive’ was thoroughly enjoyable in its fun presentation and bouncy presence. The music felt like it was coming from the rear of the standmounts.

Musical Fidelity power amps brought the energy to the party, paired with a suite of COS Engineering components: D10 DAC/Preamp, S6 Audiophile Network Switch, S10 Ethernet Switch, and LPS1 linear power supply.

MOONRIVER AUDIO – LUCAS AUDIO LAB

The Moonriver 606 stereo integrated amp looked very cool from the back, with subtle accents of dark oak and a classic-looking front panel of dials and settings. It evoked images of a vintage radio station with all its dials and buttons. It really appealed to my senses in every way. Loudspeakers were the Prestige Five Gen 2 floorstanders from qQLN(2.5 way).

Lucas Audio Lab was providing the digital source with the Reference One Music Server, and it was the least digital sound I’ve ever heard. My own system is incomplete without one of Lucas Domansky’s products, which is the best compliment I could give to his excellent kit. Simply fantastic.

Wicked Game by Daisy Gray had an ethereal quality on this system that I loved—so much space, and scope. I felt the deep kick drum pulse in my chest, and it was great to have that visceral connection to the music. Backing vocals also just floated in the air. Talk about properly engaging with the music. Hoist The Colours (Bass Singers Version) sounded fantastic. The detail and depth were thoroughly engrossing. I had to tear myself away from staying too long, which I would have gladly done.

The rest of this system included: OePHI AUDIO cables, ANONYMOUS Cables, TAKUMI turntables, and OOPS Audio turntables.

ESPRIT HIGH END AUDIO

This room should have received the award for the darkest I was in all day. I like to listen to music in the dark, so it worked just right for me. ‘Serious high-end wares,’ was my other first impression. Very much so. The system was a bit of an opportunity to “forget the gear” and just appreciate the music. When the kit is so attractive, that also makes it all the more appealing to just sit back and soak in the tunes.

A percussion/drum track demonstrated some cool dynamics and really popped from the ‘Lisa’ floorstanding speakers from the Esprit ‘Lisa’ floorstanding speakers. What a superb system, it was too! They had a mighty pair of Karan Acoustics mono blocks and preamp, APL HiFi DAC, Aurender N30 streamer, and the entire system was wired with Esprit’s own Generation X cables (unveiled at the show)…you will get more info on them in the new video with Stu and Vivien of Esprit coming soon!

Ø AUDIO

This room was equally dark and inviting. It had a bold simplicity, with a pair of green-lit banners at each end of the room showing the northern lights, and a pair of large, natural oak-finished Ymir floorstanders. (2-way design). Sitting resplendently in the middle of the pair of Ymir’s was a Boulder 2160 Stereo Power Amp, a behemoth.

Off in the wings was the rest of the kit from DCS – Bartók APEX (DAC/Streamer), and another bit of kit from Boulder with their 2110 preamp. The sound was bold and forward, while the classical piece on display during my visit was lively and striking.

VENTURE

This setup had such an easy-going sound, with a heartwarming feeling I just basked in. Someone To Watch Over Me by Samara Joy featured a simple jazz guitar arrangement backing a gorgeous vocal. It complemented the system incredibly well; a perfect match of style, class, and aesthetic. The QA-3, 3-way active floorstanders ($58000) looked stunning with Amara ebony veneer and a piano high-gloss lacquer finish.

Venture uses its own drivers with graphite composite cones and full-range tweeters made from a robust yet lightweight material, allowing them to become faster, warmer, and more engaging the longer you listen.

The rest of the system consisted of a Venture VP200D preamp (for shows/trade only), a Métronome AQWO2 hybrid SACD/streamer/DAC, and Venture cables. The QA series also includes QA-2, 2-way floorstanders ($40000), and QA-1 standmounts ($25000)—the epitome of gorgeous high-end design.

SIGMA ACOUSTICS

This space was a real surprise, as the front stand was low-key and unassuming. I’m so glad I did another pass by, because what I found in the room was on par with what it must be like to walk into a Tardis. I wasn’t expecting that, in the slightest. Thank goodness I came back because this was a sight to behold—a feast for the eyes and eyes. The speakers were gigantic. Massive. Immense, even. Gargantuan doesn’t even come close to describing their stature.

The room vibe was so cool, too. I felt like I was in a scene from Blade Runner with the striking cityscape backdrop, multicoloured mood lighting, and all the huge glowing tubs and the most girthy turntable I’ve ever seen in person. It was a thing of real beauty in gold and muted tones. Amazing stuff.

Cool jazz was playing, and I found myself really tapping my foot along and getting into the mood. You could say I was digging it, man.

Speakers were Maat zenith (6-way), featuring a Goto supertweeter. which carried quite a weight when I held one in my hand. These speakers weigh 380kg each. Ooft! Pink Faun provided the streaming, vinyl turbine sigma acoustics.

SVS

STEREO / 2 CHANNEL ROOM

I was wrapping up day one and had just a little time to stop by SVS. I’m so glad I did. After hearing mostly mellow tunes in the previous rooms, it was a refreshing change of pace to step into subbass heaven.

At the core of this system, a Hegel H600 was doing a grand job of driving the 3-way Ultra Evolution Titan floorstanding speakers (piano glass white). Paired with a 1220-watt RMS 3000 Micro R|Evolution Subwoofer (piano gloss black), the sound was ultra-defined, clear, and precise.

SURROUND / 5.5 CHANNEL ROOM

This room was heaven for me. I’m planning to have an AV setup in a new home extension, so this was a perfect opportunity to explore the art of the possible with a fantastic surround system.

The crystal-clear, full audio of a scene from the movie F1 blew me away. The racing cars were firing, while Whole Lotta Love was kicking in, and the timing and accuracy of the two media were perfectly in sync. John Bonham’s drums just exploded all around me, as the cars took off from the starting posts. It was exhilarating, to say the least.

Furthermore, the diction from the dialogue track, which you can often lose with basic soundbars, was spot on. There was no straining to make out the actors’ words at all. The audio was at the next level good!

I was already sold on the merits of this kind of system and thought it couldn’t possibly get any better. I was wrong! Up next was a demo of Elton John’s Rocket Man mixed in Dolby Atmos. Oh, my! Talk about frisson/goosebumps and properly feeling the music. It was my first time hearing audio of this quality, and I have to say it was jaw-droppingly fantastic.

I couldn’t recommend this SVS equipment enough. Larry, who provided the demo, was so helpful, too, and a great guy. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to finish off day one at High-End Vienna, and I left Hall X2 a very happy man, with a big spring in my step.