Capital Audiofest 2013

[wkhanna]

As mentioned in an earlier post in another thread, Dan (PewterTA), myself & our other compatriot, James, dutifully completing this grand triumvirate of follies & fools, will be attending this year’s edition of the Capital Audiofest near our nation’s capital.

If anyone else is planning on going & would like to meet up, let us know. It would great fun to get some real face time with other ‘friends of the family’ here. Our current schedule will have us there from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon.

While this in not considered one of the ‘big’ shows I look forward to its reputation for providing lots of one-on-one with vendors, lots of good seat time in the ‘sweet spot’ & an overall relaxed & friendly atmosphere.

We will do our best to keep everyone posted & provide reports & photos on anything of major interest.

[Hdale85]

I wish I could go but no babysitter lol.

[PewterTA]

It's going to be a blast! I think it could get us to go to some of the bigger shows.... hee hee..... Road Trip(s)!!!!!!!!!

Definitely going to be taking a long some good demo music, hopefully we can use it on everything!

[wkhanna]

So Dan (PewterTA), James, & I hit the road bright & early tomorrow morning & head down to the nations capital from Pgh PA. The event is being held at the Sheraton in Silver Spring where we will be staying till Saturday.

This will be my first 'Really Big Shoe', - if you don't know who Ed Sullivan is....never mind - & I admit I am getting a bit excited. Should be lots of analogue goodies so that will be a highlight for me. There are so few places to see & hear good analogue set-ups these days, even with the mild resurgence in interest. It is a shame, cuz there are so many new tables on the market now.

Especially looking forward to just hanging out with the guys......

ROAD TRIP !!!!!!! :driver:

[Hdale85]

Too bad I'm not on the way lol, I'd totally come along since I've got some free time on my plate now! Have fun!

[wkhanna]

Here are some photo's

(I broke them up into four posts)

Check back as I will be adding more descriptions when time allows.

We definitely will be going back next year, it was a Blast!

Even more fun than hearing & seeing all the equipment was meeting & talking to so many interesting people. From fellow enthusiasts to brand reps to designers & engrs - & I even got to talk with Michael Fremer & Art Dudley!

But the true highlight was spending the entire evening on Friday having dinner & drinks with Brian Zolner, designer & company owner of the Bricasti M1 DAC. What impressed me most? .......The picture he showed me of his wine cellar!


So here are some of the pics:





Kuzma Stabi TT with electrostats. I Really like this TT!



A modified Garrad TT.







A custom-made unit from Switzerland



These $3k speakers with Focal drivers were small but had a full sound with respectable, tight bass for their size. A good solution for someone with limited space.








Dan checking out some SET amps driving some V $ horns.



The horns.

[wkhanna]

Page 2


Audio Note high efficiency speakers & electronics. V nice even if a bit limited on the low end.







Another high efficiency speaker w/ flea-watt valve power & a modified Garrad TT. The cross-overs in their own box allow for easy substitution of resistors & caps for fine-tuning. The cabinetwork was spectacular. The stands alone were like the finest handmade furniture I have ever see. The cabinets had no parallel surfaces for limiting wave reflection. however, Dan noticed some cabinet resonance in the lower mids. By far, my pick as the most beautiful speaker at the show.







Another Accuton driver in a transmission line box for $3k. Not bad sounding at all.








These flea-watt driven full-range drivers were also impressive. It is surprising what 3 watts sent to a single driver can do!





This is what was driving them.

[wkhanna]

Page 3:

The big & small Harbeth's running off Red Wine electronics with 100% battery power! They claim 8 hours of run time at which point you can run from wall power while they recharge. The small Harbeth's were lively & dynamic, the larger units - not so much. I would have liked to have a little more time with them. I just was not able to get a clear feel for their overall sound. So many are enthralled with them that I really wanted to get a sense of their signature.






This is the new VPI Traveler TT. We saw a few of them here & for good reason. The best part is its price relative to the performance.





Honestly......I forget what this was!

Image not available

This was our pick for the best value at the show. The 2-way speakers were amazing for their size. V clean, even way down low. The quality of sound produced by this system embarrassed many others costing even 5x the price.

Image not available





This was my pick for best analog of the show. Vintage Thorens power & pre electronics. I could have stayed here the entire show. Such a sweet sound - I was in heaven. I think they brought the best music library, too.

Thoress Pre and 845 Amps
Tron Stereo and Mono Phonos
TW-Acustic AC w. 2-10.5 arms
Miyajima Stereo and Mono cartridges
Horning Eufrodite Speakers
Silver Circle Tchaik 6 conditioner
SRA racks and stands
Teo Audio interconnects and speaker cables
Tel Wire Power Cords





This was the HORN room!
Big sound. Big stuff. Big price!
Not V practical, & honestly, a bit flat on both ends with some imaging issues too. But Oh those mids!







Next up, we have multiple awards.
Best sound of show.
Most 'over-the-top' of show.
Most outrageously expensive of show.
Best DAC of show. (Bricasti M1 DAC)

TIDAL Audio Speakers
TIDAL Audio Electronics
Purist Audio Design Cables
Bricasti Design
Aurender
StillPoints

These speakers list for $135k (Correction, The Tidal speakers are $154K).
Combined with the Bricasti M1 DAC this was the closest thing I have ever heard compared to a live performance. What really brought home the true performance ability of this system was how it was able to reproduce so effortlessly & accurately the V deep, deep low energy that is created in a good sounding hall with classical music. It was the only time I have ever heard such realism. One other aspect was the ability to produce clear, clean, true to life dynamics at wisper-soft dB levels. Just amazing!
(note that I missed the trip Dan & James took to see & hear the B&W Nautilus which they felt was just ever so slightly better)

Starting with Dan checking out the electronics in the Tidal room.













These guys had some totally refurbished Quad ESL's.
This room had a lovely sound. V impressive & proving you don't need to have brand new hi-tech to get fabulous perormance!

[wkhanna]

Page four:

A German-made all stainless Steel TT starting at a reasonable (?) $8k matched with BAT electronics. Good Stuff!







And here we have what was hands-down easily the "most ridiculous, outlandish, these guys are on crack" award. $24k bookshelf speakers (+ $3k for the stands) from England.
Oh, they sounded good. Maybe $8k good on their best day. But really? $24k !!!! And on top if it, they are ugly. But the brown paper bag to cover them is free! Honestly, this was downright laughable.



Dan trying to find out were the other $16k went!



VPI hooked up with Joseph Audio to make what was to me was a realistic Hi-End statement at a realistic price. The $7k Joseph speakers combined with VPI analog was a system I can see myself having one day (sans the digital end). A system like this would put me at the end game. I would never need anything better. For $15k you could have system with these components that will deliver 95% of the best any other rig could deliver at any price, IMHO. These speakers really left an impression on me.















The exhibit at the Ballroom had everything from LP's to DAC's & Headphones to ultrasonic record cleaners, audio DVD's, & even some big old wave guides for making your own horns.

[PewterTA]

Correction, The Tidals are $154K.... Then add on about another 70K of pre & power.....

I still want those Tidals............................................ .................................................. ............................ and the Bricasti M1 DAC. I'd be happy.

I think that sums up the show. lol

I'm waiting for our friend James to go through all the pictures he took, he did most of the picture taking, I didn't take any as I was just enjoying the show!!! When I get the pictures I'll post my thoughts and opinions.

Yes we will be going back and having fun!!!!!! Was a blast!!!

[Chris D]

Oh, baby! Great stuff.

SVS... is that the SVSound company, formerly SVSubwoofers?

[wkhanna]

Yep, that is the V same company.
Great value stuff from what we heard.

[Chris D]

Very interesting... I know them from way back when they were a home garage-level company, selling only subs on the internet, and I worked direct with Ron Stimpson. They've really grown, and good to see them participating in something like this. They're still not exhibiting at CEDIA, though, which I would have expected if they're now reaching this level. Maybe they're still trying to orient straight to the consumer.

[PewterTA]

That's the model direct from them straight to the customer. Unfortunately they didn't have room set up quite right for 2ch audio....but the clarity from the speakers is amazing and the bass is very nice and full. We're they the best, no not for audio, but they werea very good over all speaker. Definitely still geared more towards HT usage than for true music...but it's a VERY solid "first" set of speakers for them.

When you see the new 13" Sub cut open like that...it's very impressive!!!!!

[Hdale85]

That's not their first speakers, they've done some speakers not to long ago that were actually very popular, used some custom midrange with an AirCirc tweeter.

[Chris D]

They have three levels of speakers. They released the low end first, maybe 5 years ago, then the mid-level. When the economy crumped, it put their high end on hold for a while. I'm wondering if they're showing their high end now. Not sure how long they've been out.

I still use my dual-PC Ultra SVS subwoofers as the reference in my theater.

[wkhanna]

A pic of the MBL room.....we saw a few of the modified Tascam RtoR's at the show.
They were playing the 'White Album' while I was there.
Contrary to urban legend, no tape hiss was to be found in the vicinity.




Sharing some after-dinner libation with Brian Zolner.




The Mapleshade room also made use of the MBL speakers & modified Tascam RtoR. It had a wonderful, natural sense to the sound, quite an amazing feat in spite of the poor room dimensions. One of the more pleasing presentations as I recall.

[PewterTA]

Ha ha, Bill, you're beating me to it... have to post up some more pictures here tonight (if I get a chance).

[Finleyville]

Thank you, thank you for posting the pictures. I am so bummed that I couldn't make it. Hopefully next year I will be able. It looks like you 3 had a great time. I am looking forward to more pictures!

[PewterTA]

James put a bunch of pictures up, as soon as I have a chance to sit down and upload them I will.

Michael you would've had a blast!!!! We are already planning for next year!

[wkhanna]

Hopefully next year I will be able. {to go}

Michael you would've had a blast!!!! We are already planning for next year!

Michael.
You MUST start planning now for next year!
We are going to stay Friday & Saturday nights next year.
There is too much to see & hear for just one night.
I know how much fun you would have.
& I know how much fun we would all have together!

[PewterTA]

Road Trip!!!!!

Anyone want to go to Montreal?!!?

[wkhanna]

No news on next year's show yet.... Solon Son & Image

Dan, this could be bad news, however.
The expo includes photography............ James may have a stroke!

-
BTW, driving distance from Pittsburgh is 9 - 13 depending on time of day, etc.

[Chris D]

FWIW, since we were talking about SVS there for a bit, I just got this E-mailed to me last night. Looks like SVS is now indeed debuting their flagship line of speakers. I'm quite interested to hear them. Too bad they're still not listed as attending CEDIA.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/svs-ultra-speaker-system

[John Holmes]

Glad you guys had a great time. Looks like there was a lot to demo.