Capital AudioFest 2024

Compared to past years, Fidelity Imports and its stable of brands kept a lower profile at this year’s Capital Audiofest. It shared rooms with local dealer, The Listening Room (“Audio Systems of Distinction” since 1978), showing equipment I have become familiar with both from afar and up close, as in my recent review of the Michell TecnoDec at Analog Planet, and soon, the Union Research S6 integrated amplifier for Stereophile. It was alive and kicking in room 753, the two rooms manned by FE’s Erik Smith and The Listening Room’s Michael Hoatson.

In the Perlisten Room (750), The Listening Room played a Michell Gyro SE Turntable ($6499), mounted with a Michell Cusis E/H Moving Coil Cartridge ($1299), joined by an Aurender A200 Music Streamer Server MQA DSD DAC ($6300), feeding an Audia Flight FLS1 Fully Balanced Stereo Preamplifier ($11,999) paired with an Audia Flight FLS4 Stereo Power Amplifier ($10,999), driving Perlisten S7t Floorstanding Speakers ($21,990/pair) and a Perlisten D12s Subwoofer ($4995). The Listening Room offered open-box, below-list-price deals, on almost every product.

Next door, in the Opera Room (753), The Listening Room presented an Aurender A1000 Music Streamer Server DAC ($3500), a hotly glowing Unison Research S6 Black Edition Tube Integrated Amplifier ($6999), driving Opera Prima Bookshelf Speakers ($2499/pair) and Opera Quinta SE Loudspeakers ($6999/pair), the speakers offering especially good value for money.

The Quinta system sounded especially natural and lifelike, whether playing Anette Askvik’s “Liberty” or ex-Special EFX guitarist Chieli Minucci’s “Kicking It Hard.” An inexpensive system by CAF standards, the Opera/Aurender/Unison Research rig played music.