HIGH END 2008 / MUNICH, GERMANY

                            MY FIRST EUROPEAN SHOW

BY CARLOS SANCHEZ

    
Joining Stereo Times’ most gregarious publisher at this, Europe’s biggest and most prestigious High End Show, would prove to become a personal highlight for a well rounded music junkie. The trip over the Atlantic was smooth and comfortable and set the stage for what was to become undoubtedly a major experience. Although I was introduced as a teenager, (McIntosh amps as well as Voice of the Theater and Klipschorn loudspeakers) in the early seventies, this High End Show was a horse of another color. I attended the Rocky Mountain Show two years ago, and was blown away, but the Germans really know how to do it. After arriving in Munich on Thursday morning, we were picked up by one of CP’s German audiophile buddies, Ingo Shultz).

I have to tell you, Munich is immaculately clean and well-structured - especially the roads and highways. I never saw so many Mercedes, BMWs, Volkswagens and Porches. Just all of those wonderful built and ultra-expensive German-made vehicles.

We went straight to the M.O.C (convention center) with our luggage to register for the show, which was starting that morning and reserved the Press Only. I bought my trusty Cannon pocket camera and was up and ready for the task. What didn’t surprise me, was how well received CP was. The ladies (of course) at the registration desk remembered him and greeted us with favor. This, of course, made me I instantly feel at home.

It was interesting to see that some of the Automobile companies in Germany were doing partnership/advertising with a few of the high end audio companies. How smart is that? High End Cars and High End Audio! Humm!

First, please allow me to digress by way of introducing myself.

CP felt that my musical background would be a refreshing addition, hence my attempt at writing my first show report. What qualifies me? Music IS my life! I currently make a living spinning tunes as club DJ (Disc Jockey). I've been doing it as a profession for well over 30 years. Prior to that, I studied voice and music theory at the High School of Music & Art in NYC. I grew up in the 60s and 70s, so I was exposed to all kinds of music from Classical to Jazz. I acquired a deep love and appreciation for all kinds of music simply because it was part of the school curriculum. My studies in voice afforded me the opportunity to sing in three languages, (Italian, French and German). As a teenager, I also toured the US doing various TV, concert and college circuit performances with a popular gospel group. I also performed in a Funk Band in the early 70s as a vocalist and keyboardist.

When I met CP nearly 20 years ago, he was also a DJ at a local nightspot in NYC where he gave me the opportunity to play one Saturday night. My playing so impressed him, I don’t remember him playing much after that. Often CP credits me as the person who officially retired him but in truth, CP secretly had began to obsess over high end components and sound. Back in ’91 or thereabouts, I’d go over to his home and check out either his new Krell, or Mark Levinson amps with either Infinity RS1Bs, Snell A3s, Maggies or Electrostats of different vintages (he was changing speakers and amps every week it seemed). I thought to myself, “This is some nice stuff” but I didn’t know that it would turn CP and eventually myself into the connoisseurs’ we’ve become today.

CP found a passion that has no rival while I continue to play to larger audiences the world over. Here we are nearly 20 years later where I too find myself traveling to Italy and Spain pretty extensively as an international DJ/Producer in Dance Music .
This is my first trip to the German side of Europe (or Bavaria as some subscribe to it on maps). Being re-introduced to Jazz was easy thanks to CP and some of the most incredible components I’ve ever seen come and go through his dedicated listening space. I think he realized when we first met that my love for music rivaled his. This, coupled with my musical background (singer and pianist) and the ability to recognize (CP prefers “excellent memory“) subtle changes in his system, elevated me as one of his trusted ears. Often, I think I would surprise CP with my knowledge of so many different styles of music. Friday nights, in particular, we’d have memorable music battles as I would come over with tons of CDs and bet on who played the most intense musical piece of the night (and early morning). One thing’s certain, CP and I have a definitive love for the music! When not in the studio producing, I’ve developed a passion for web design and have been pretty successful at it. To date, I’ve been involved with Stereo Times as the Ad Designer. With my growing curiosity, coupled with my musical passion and growing appreciation, I guess it was inevitable that I would eventually join CP in Munich and provide another side to a Show Report. A laymen’s point of view, of course!