Once again in 2026, the Analogue Audio Association hosted its “Analog Forum,” a slightly different kind of high-end trade show.
In a typically West German middle-of-nowhere setting – somewhere between highway interchanges, green meadows, fields, and a shimmering pond – sits the Van der Valk Hotel Moers. This charming gem, with its slightly winding corridors and large halls, has been the venue for the Analog Forum Moers since 2023 – a small but refined manufacturer and dealer exhibition that the Analogue Audio Association has now organized for the 37th time.
What began as a small nerd gathering in the 2000s has grown into a bona fide trade show that focuses on more than just major innovations in turntables and tonearms; in a “dealer village,” it also caters to all the little helpers that make analog life worth living: from record brushes to cleaning machines, from small transformers to large power filters, from headphone stands to LP shelving. Here, analog enthusiasts could indulge themselves without immediately commissioning a new mass-loaded turntable. Not to be forgotten were the many vinyl dealers, who this time truly covered a wonderful spectrum – from audiophile reissues to quirky avant-garde used records.
A Rush of Visitors
Even though Moers is anything but centrally located on Germany’s map, a considerable line – mostly made up of older attendees – had already formed in front of the hotel foyer half an hour before opening, all hoping to secure a ticket as early as possible. Within the first 60 minutes, hotel rooms were full and sometimes even overcrowded, while the narrow hallways felt reminiscent of the children’s puzzle game “Rush Hour.” Yet neither exhibitors nor visitors were fazed. On the contrary: Dirk Räke of Transrotor exclaimed to me in the elevator, “This turnout is fantastic – the best thing that could have happened to us.”
Seasoned trade show visitors, of course, knew what to do in such a situation – head first to the side rooms and less crowded floors. My colleague Barnbeck and I therefore began by attending the inaugural presentation of the Analog Lifetime Achievement Award. One cannot help but congratulate the AAA jury on their choice: with Jochen Räke, Rolf Gmein, and Alfred Rudolph, they selected three true veterans who have not only worked tirelessly for decades in pursuit of perfect music reproduction, but have also built reputable family businesses and resisted the temptation of fleeting, exotic experiments in difficult times.
First Caffeine, Then Hi-Fi Systems
After a proper caffeine boost on the sun-drenched hotel terrace, we plunged back into the hustle and bustle of the corridors, which by early afternoon had spread throughout the entire building. Our first stop was the vintage room, a long-standing institution at the Analog Forum. Once again, carefully selected treasures demonstrated just how modern and timeless well-maintained 40- to 50-year-old equipment can sound. Playback came from a Thorens TD-125 with a Micro-Seiki tonearm and a Revox A77 MKIV from the estate of Otto Braun, amplified by a pre/power combination of Luxman’s CL350 and M150, and reproduced through speakers – also from Braun’s estate – featuring Corona plasma tweeters. It was a coherent system that sounded highly engaging, making it no surprise that the vintage room remained consistently well attended.
A defining feature of the Analog Forum from the very beginning has been that newcomers and small-scale manufacturers can present their portfolios, while the well-known industry heavyweights are also in attendance. It was therefore no surprise that Transrotor (in collaboration with Manger) and Thorens (together with TAD) delivered truly exquisite analog sound. Both exhibitors are well acquainted with the challenges of hotel-based trade shows and once again provided a superb listening experience. What stuck with me most were the relaxed reggae grooves that Dirk Räke played several times.
Chris Feickert brought a surprise, presenting his turntables not with Geithain speakers as usual, but with his new partner Sigberg Audio. The fully active Sigberg Saranna speakers paired wonderfully with the metal-heavy music program that Feickert demonstrated with almost mischievous delight – hardly surprising, given that the developer of the Norwegian speakers himself comes from the metal scene.
Newcomers at Analog Forum 2026
The newcomers at the show were equally encouraging. Alders & Lange had a relatively easy time making a strong impression by doing the smartest thing possible in a small hotel room: conducting their demonstrations exclusively with headphones. This was, of course, because the young company specializes in a headphone amplifier and a phono preamp. Visitors could hear how well these two devices complemented each other across a range of very different headphones and a fine vinyl selection. Chief developer Heiko Lange was readily available to answer any questions. We were so impressed that we immediately arranged to have a unit sent to FIDELITY for review.
Another highlight was the largely unknown Polish manufacturer Divaldi, appearing at an Analog Forum for the first time and making a confident debut with somewhat more hard-hitting sounds. In general, it was noticeable that the usual trade show fare of delicate, “plink-plink” demo music with ethereal female vocals was largely absent. Instead, heavy guitar riffs often thundered through the corridors, and at times – such as at Ulber Audio – the volume knob was turned all the way up.
For those who found that a bit too much, there was always the option of retreating to one of the informative workshops – a tradition since the forum’s inception – to gain some peace and, above all, a dose of analog know-how, whether on DJ systems, grading methods, or stylus cantilevers.
…Aaaaand a Hint of Anticipation
And so, late on Sunday afternoon, an event came to a close that very much had the character of a class reunion. People know each other, enjoy each other’s company, yet still discover new aspects of something long familiar. And as the sun sets over the Lower Rhine meadows west of Moers, one already finds oneself looking forward to next year’s forum.