Munich High-End - hifideluxe 2025 - 40th anniversary
The Munich High-End audio exhibition was an opportunity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our manufacture with international music lovers, audio enthusiasts, representatives and reviewers. The JMF Audio reference and complete ensemble, result of decades of research and development, passion and dedication, was presented at the hifideluxe, in the largest room of the Marriott Hotel, Salon C, May 16-18.
While JMF Audio’s first offering in 1985 was reference power amplifiers, soon selected by American recording studio designer Tom Hidley (see History and References), we were thrilled to unveil the new version of the flagship mono amplifiers.
World premieres at Munich 2025:
The finalized version G of the HQS 9001 mono power amplifiers, result of three additional years of research and development
First prototype of a dual mono phono interface and step-up transformer, announcing a new instrument under model name PHZ 8.1
The MBR1 remote control unveiled in Orose® silver in addition to the previous exclusive black model
This year’s edition also coincided with the release of the very first review of a JMF Audio phono preamplifier. The prime was offered to German Image-hifi. The issue was in stores during the exhibition.
Hifideluxe at the Mariott hotel: the JMF Audio reference ensemble serving the music with the most advanced analog playback composed of the PHZ 8.1 phono interface (prototype / world premiere), dual-mono PHS 7.3 phono pre-amplifier, the HQS 9001 flagship mono amplification (world premiere in finalized version G) controlled with the PRS 1.5 pre-amplifier, all powered through the top of the range PCD 302 mains filter. As usual, the ensemble was entirely wired with JMF Audio cables: CM4-PHONO, DP5, PC3 cords, CM8 modulation and SR8 loudspeaker cables. The digital front-end (DMT 3.7 and DXC 2.2 MKII) as well as the loudspeakers (HPM500) including the woofers represented some of JMF Audio’s legacy.
In addition to several challenging recordings from all eras, a selection of musical pieces recorded in studios equipped with JMF Audio’s amplifiers was proposed for listening to celebrate this 40th anniversary: from Nashville/USA (John Michael Montgomery, Vince Gill), Italy (Sting, Zucchero duet with Pavarotti), Russia (Moscow’s Symphony Orchestra interpreting Tchaikovsky), France (Francis Cabrel, American Charlie Haden’s Quartet West), England (London Symphony Orchestra, Randy Crawford).
Connoisseurs were invited to appreciate the ability of the JMF Audio instruments to offer an immersive, faithful, emotional and universal presentation of music.
World premiere: HQS 9001 mono power amplifier in final version G playing music. Orose® silver enclosure. Although the version G was already introduced for the stereo HQS 6002 at Axpona in 2022, three additional years of research, development and dedication have been necessary for completion on the larger HQS 9001.
Additional pair of HQS 9001 new version G, Orose® black enclosures, on static display at one side of the room. In between: Made to JMF Audio's specifications transformer (two units used in each power amplifier) and hand-crafted PGP gold plated driver board under the glass shell.
Close up on one of the HQS 9001 Orose® black new version G on static display, see through top cover, internal view. The pair of amplifiers on static display and the pair used for demonstrations were the two first ever built.
Exclusive inside view of the PRS 1.5 dual mono pre-amplifier featuring the new PLS advanced linear power supply, visible on the left through a purpose made semi transparent top cover.
World premiere: prototype of the PHZ 8.1 (black), a new phono interface acting as a balancing step-up transformer, dual mono design. Here on static display. Another prototype was used for demonstration, raising the cartridge signal level by 10dB before entering the phono preamplifier. Independent load setting on the cartridge side. Matched to the PHS 7.3 phono stage advanced balanced input stage. On its right, the new MBR1 remote control in Orose® silver with rose gold filled lettering and machined steel buttons. On its left, a PHS 7.2 phono preamplifier on display.
On the left side of the room, HQS 6002 stereo power amplifier, PCD 302 US type power line filter, PCD 102 EU type power line filter (black), PC3 carbon power cord with the new JMF Audio carbon IEC connector.
Munich 2025 was the opportunity for more reviewers than ever to meet with the JMF Audio’s designers, for interviews and sometimes for long private listening sessions. Our thanks especially go to Michael Lavorgna (Twittering Machines), Alan Sircom and Tom Hackforth (hifi+), Jason Victor Serinus (Stereophile), Josef Bruckmoser and Uwe Kirbach (image hifi), Michael Framer, Jonathan Valin and Tom Martin (The Absolute Sound) for their appreciation. We are grateful to Louis Manno of the Audio History Museum of New York for his on-going works on recording studios history.
JMF Audio’s 40th anniversary. A legacy celebrated in Munich with reviewers and distributors:
To our long time customers and audio enthusiasts, musicians, sound engineers, editors, music lovers we say thank you for your passion and quest for the best instruments to play and feel the music. We are thankful to the organization and to the increasing number of exhibitors for enlivening this event.
Music lovers have always entered the JMF Audio family by acquiring a single product, inserted it in their current setup and enjoyed the musical benefit. Now that JMF Audio proposes all elements, a dream has been made reality...
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Brochure (pdf):
Milestones (pdf):
More comments are subject to be added later.
Recommended pages:
> Company tour after Munich 2024 by Marc Phillips for PTA, USA
> International presentations (other show reports)
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