Capital AudioFest 2019

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Capital AudioFest 2019
Alta Audio Alec loudspeakers; Krell K-300p Phono Stage, Illusion line preamplifier, and Duo 300 XD amplifier; VPI HW-40 Anniversary Edition Turntable
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 01, 2019  |  5 comments
The lighting in the Krell-Alta Audio room was bleak, gray, colorless. The only color in the entire room was the blue from the lights on Krell’s never-before-played-in-public K-300p phono preamplifier ($TBD), Krell Illusion line-level preamplifier ($7700), Krell Duo 300 XD amplifier, and Krell CEO Walter Schofield’s shiny blue jacket.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
At the Linear Tube Audio Headphone Lounge
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 01, 2019  |  8 comments
I have been beating the headphone drum at Stereophile since I started in 2014. By 2016, when I reviewed Linear Tube Audio’s inaugural product, the microZOTL2.0 line-stage/headphone amplifier, I was falling asleep with AKG K812s on my head. (Now I’m falling asleep with HiFiMan Susvara and RAAL-requisite SR1a ribbon headphones.) To me, headphone listening is the gateway to audio’s newest wonderland.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Audio Hunters and Vinyl Revivers
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 02, 2019  |  6 comments
Before I knew who she was, I saw Roslyn in the hall handing out chocolate chip cookies that she baked herself. She was vivacious, with a heart-melting smile, and talking to everybody. Each hand-wrapped bag held two cookies and was tied with a ribbon in a bow, with a business card. (As I chatted with her I snuck cookie-bag after cookie-bag into my jacket pockets. I don’t think she noticed.)
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Basis 2200 Signature turntable, Calibrator Base, Reflex LP Clamp, and Vector 4 Tonearm; Lyra Delos Moving coil cartridge; LKV Research Veros One Phono Stage and Line One pre-amplifier
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 04, 2019  |  0 comments
I have always admired Bill Hutchins, the chief designer at LKV Research, because to me he embodies the true amp-builder’s spirit.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
BorderPatrol DAC and Amplification, Volti Loudspeakers, Innuos Music Server and Reclocker, Triode Wire Labs Cabling
Ken Micallef  |  Nov 03, 2019  |  6 comments
I’ve favorably reviewed both Gary Dews’ BorderPatrol amps and Greg Roberts’ horn-loaded Volti Audio speakers. Since I couldn’t afford to purchase either when I reviewed them, I was looking forward to seeing and hearing their wares at CAF.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Cube Audio Mini Nenuphar Loudspeakers, EMIA Audio Electronics, TW Acoustic Raven GT Turntable with Schroeder Reference SQ and Schick Tonearms and Soundsmith Sussurro and Ortofon SPU Royal N Cartridges
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 06, 2019  |  2 comments
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Capital AudioFest 2019
EMIA Re-Visioned Quad ESL 57 Loudspeakers, Garrard 301 Turntable, Schroeder and Schick Tonearms, Made-from-Scratch EMIA Phono Cartridge, and Everything Else
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 06, 2019  |  8 comments
Look at the photo. What you see is a re-imagining of the original Quad ESL 57s by Dave Slagle of EMIA (Experience Music Intact Audio). The only thing that remains from the original Quads are the PVC stator parts rebuilt to original standards by Wayne Picquet of Quads Unlimited in Longwood, Florida.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Fern & Roby Turntable, Concert Fidelity Amplification, KR Vacuum Tubes, Fleetwood Sound Speakers, Black Cat Cabling
Ken Micallef  |  Nov 04, 2019  |  4 comments
Oswald Mill Audio (OMA) is known for thinking outside of the box, and its new division, Fleetwood Sound Company, looks to extend that tradition.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Genesis Maestro Loudspeakers, Merrill Audio Christine Linestage and Element 116 Monoblocks, EMM Labs DAC2x, Genesis Racks, Cables, and Power Cords
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 05, 2019  |  5 comments
Do you know why New Yorkers are always depressed? Because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
GT Audioworks Loudspeakers, Pass Labs Electronics, Basis Audio Turntable and Tonearm, Mosart Cabinet
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 04, 2019  |  1 comments
The other big room with spectacular sound on the Rockville Hilton’s atrium level featured products from Pass Labs, GT Audioworks, and Basis Audio.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Joseph Audio Loudspeakers, Unison Research DAC and Amplification, Balanced Audio Technology Phono Stage, Feickert Turntable, Schick Tonearm, My Sonic Lab Cartridge
Ken Micallef  |  Nov 05, 2019  |  14 comments
On the last day of the show, loudspeaker designer Jeff Joseph showed no signs of slowing down. Remote in hand, he bounced around his room like the proverbial battery bunny, welcoming attendees, switching his rig between analog and digital playback, and generally smiling his way through it all.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Just In from CAF (Part I): Audio Note UK DAC and Cabling, Acapella Audio Arts Music Server, Integrated Amplifier, Loudspeakers, and Cabling, HRS Equipment Rack
Ken Micallef  |  Nov 07, 2019  |  6 comments
Veteran Palo Alto, California distributor Audio Federation presented a system that included large horn-loaded speakers and Audio Note UK gear, two of my favorite things.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Just In from CAF (Part II): VK Audio Room with Sparkler Audio CD Player, EleKit Amplification, AER Speakers, Mogami Cables
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 07, 2019  |  11 comments
Some products I review touch my heart and affect how I see all other products that I review afterwards. VK Audio's made-in-Japan $1785 EleKit TU-8600R 300B single-ended tube amp kit was one of those. This amp uses Swedish-made Lundahl transformers (and super-premium parts) to deliver near-state-of-the-art performance at a price anyone with a soldering iron could afford.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Legacy Audio Studio HD Loudspeakers, Rogue Audio Sphinx v3 amplifier, NAD C658 network player/preamp/DAC
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 06, 2019  |  First Published: Nov 04, 2019  |  3 comments
It pleases me beyond words when modestly priced audio components overperform immodestly.
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Capital AudioFest 2019
Luminous Audio and the Pure Audio Project
Herb Reichert  |  Nov 04, 2019  |  12 comments
I mentioned earlier how uncolored, detailed, transparent, and image-specific an open baffle loudspeaker can sound. Unfortunately, not all open baffle speakers are created equal, and making a coherent and musically satisfying open-baffle speaker is much more complex than just bolting a few drivers to a sheet of plywood. The question any loudspeaker designer must ask is, how far should I go? When is done right?
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