Capital Audiofest 2021

Best of Show and Wrap-Up | CAF 2021

by Eric Franklin Shook in Capital Audiofest 2021 1

ROCKVILLE, MD (PTA) — Glad to be back at Capital Audio Fest for 2021. Arriving on Thursday it was a bit emotional for me, seeing all the exhibitors finishing the final bits of system setup [...]

Volti Audio, BorderPatrol, Triode Wire Labs, Innuos | CAF 2021

November 18, 2021 5

Volti Audio, BorderPatrol, Triode Wire Labs exhibit something truly special and worthy of your undivided attention at Capital Audio Fest 2021. The Story by Eric Franklin Shook This story goes back almost a year or […]

Audio Note UK, Deja Vu Audio | CAF 2021

November 17, 2021 1

Audio Note UK and Deja Vu Audio — I feel like I’ve been to this island oasis before, cocktails anyone? The Story The whole vibe in this room was the story. For me it wasn’t […]

Amped America, Acoustique Quality, The Audio Legacy, Unison Research | CAF 2021

November 17, 2021 Comments Off

A fantastic display of active and static components from Amped America, Acoustique Quality, The Audio Legacy, and Unison Research. The Story The room featured two systems, both active, but sadly only one of them did […]

20/20 Evolution Systems, Conrad-Johnson, Kharma Elegance, Kuzma, Aurender, Lampizator, Truitt Physics, Kimber Kable, Torus Power, Artesania Audio | CAF 2021

November 17, 2021 2

20/20 Evolution Systems of Potomac, Maryland was showing one of the most impressive sounding systems at Capital Audio Fest 2021, featuring brands from Conrad-Johnson, Kharma Elegance, Kuzma, Aurender, Lampizator, Truitt Physics, Kimber Kable, Torus Power, […]

Acora Acoustics, Audio Research, Transrotor, Aurender, Esoteric, Cardas, Anne Bisson, and Dave McNair | CAF 2021

November 16, 2021 3

This was my second visit ever to Capital Audio Fest, my first being in 2019 in the “Before Times.” The 2021 show, if not quite as large as the previous one, was very well attended, […]

Arion Audio, VPI Industries, Audio Research Corporation, Nordost Cables | CAF 2021

November 16, 2021 2

Arion Audio and VPI Industries were showing new products at Capital Audio Fest 2021. Alongside reference components from Audio Research Corporation and Nordost Cables. The Story Truth be told, I didn’t make my way to […]

NOLA by Accent Speaker Technology, VAC, Nordost | CAF 2021

November 16, 2021 2

NOLA by Accent Speaker Technology introduced us to their newest and most affordable open-baffle floorstander to date. Along with Valve Amplification Company (VAC) and Nordost cable keeping things lusciously simple and high-end. The Story NOLA […]

McGary Audio, Salk Sound, Exogal, Purifi, Anticables | CAF 2021

November 16, 2021 Comments Off

Fast becoming one the best pairings we’ve heard are the Salk Sound speakers, with the McGary Audio tube amplifiers and Anticables cables (still an odd name for a cable company, but I like it). Salk […]

Treehaus Audiolab | CAF 2021

November 15, 2021 1

You don’t come across single brand systems at audio shows that often, so when the opportunity arises I take advantage. Treehaus Audiolab founder and designer Rich Pinto was demonstrating a full line of electronics and […]

Dr. Vinyl, ModWright Instruments, Larsen, Ideon, Pear Audio Blue, 432 EVO, Puritan Audio Labs, MosArt | CAF 2021

November 15, 2021 2

Dr. Vinyl of Baltimore, Maryland was the ringmaster of our two ring audio circus at Capital Audio Fest 2021. Displaying an active collection of components that blended seamlessly and with gusto, from brands like ModWright […]

Dr. Vinyl, McGary Audio, Qln, Backert Labs, Reed, CEC, Kleinbeck, Puritan Audio Labs, MosArt | CAF 2021

November 14, 2021 Comments Off

Dr. Vinyl of Baltimore, Maryland was putting on a clinic at Capital Audio 2021. Displaying an active collection of components that he knows intimately, from brands like McGary Audio, Qln, Backert Labs, Reed, CEC, Kleinbeck, […]

Command Performance AV, Qln, The Gryphon, J. Sikora, Doshi, Innuos, GigaWatt, Swisscables, Well Pleased AV | CAF 2021

November 14, 2021 Comments Off

Command Performance AV put forth one of the better exhibits at Capital Audio Fest 2021, featuring products from Qln, The Gryphon, J. Sikora, Doshi, Innuos, GigaWatt, Swisscables, with a little help from their friends at […]

The Voice That Is, TIDAL, Ideon, Siltech, CAD, Equitech, Ictra Design, Audio Skies | CAF 2021

November 13, 2021 2

Doug White of The Voice That Is is a perennial all-star in this industry. As a dealer he’s exemplified what it means to be a curator of sound. To have his own stamp of approval […]

The Audio Company, VAC, Von Schweikert, Esoteric, Aurender, Kronos, Airtight, Critical Mass Systems, MasterBuilt | CAF 2021

November 13, 2021 2

I’ve written it before and it bears repeating: audio show exhibitions from The Audio Company of Marietta, GA should charge an additional admission fee. You know, like the special exhibitions at art and science museums […]

Now Listen Here, Joseph Audio, EMM Labs, VPI Industries, Sutherland Engineering, Innuos, Transparent | CAF 2021

November 12, 2021 Comments Off

Now Listen Here, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania dealer located at the edge of several bedroom communities that serve the I-95 corridor between Washington, DC and Philadelphia proper, showed large at Capital Audio Fest 2021. Three exhibit rooms […]

Now Listen Here, Fyne Audio, Chord Electronics, VPI Industries, Innuos, Transparent | CAF 2021

November 12, 2021 1

Now Listen Here, Joseph Audio, Bel Canto, VPI Industries, Transparent | CAF 2021

November 12, 2021 1

Convergent Audio Technology, Magico, VPI, Essential Sound Products | CAF 2021

November 11, 2021 1

We go inside with Convergent Audio Technology, dig deep with Magico, and Essential Sound Products shows us why they win awards. The Story The story from Convergent Audio Technology is one of crystal clear sonics. […]

AGD Productions, Ocean Way Audio | CAF 2021

November 11, 2021 Comments Off

AGD Productions shows off their new stereo amplifier, we monitor the situation with Ocean Way Audio. The beauty of tubes but in a small efficient package that might fool even the most skeptical of listeners. […]

Infigo Audio, Alta Audio, Resonessence Labs | CAF 2021

November 11, 2021 1

Infigo Audio dazzles us with their metalwork and more, Alta Audio roars like thunder, and it’s good to see you again Resonessence Labs. The Story The big story is Infigo Audio, is a Canadian company […]

AudioNec, VAC, Lampizator, Linear Tube Audio, Taiko Audio, Final Touch Audio, Destination Sound Group | CAF 2021

November 10, 2021 1

AudioNec pours on the omni-directional love, is there anything really better than a VAC preamp, Linear Tube Audio serves up the power, Lampizator brings the warm glow, Taiko Audio brings the tunes, Final Touch Audio […]

Linear Tube Audio, Daedalus, Lampizator, WyWires | CAF 2021

November 10, 2021 1

Nicholas Tolson of Linear Tube Audio (LTA) gave us a tour of the system, I get to enjoy my favourite Daedalus speaker, Lampizator does that cool tube vibe thing, WyWires pulls all the strings. The […]

Fern & Roby, ModWright Instruments, Sculpture A, Black Cat Cable | CAF 2021

November 9, 2021 3

This was the world debut of Fern & Roby‘s new loudspeaker, ModWright has us rocking out, and Black Cat Cable has us purring. The visit to Room 516 was a lot of fun. Many of […]

Semrad Audio, Allnic, and more… | CAF 2021

November 9, 2021 2

This report is all about the fun of field coils, open baffle, and horns. Three things that make most modern audiophiles cringe and recoil from. But seriously, let’s admit it, without any of the aforementioned […]

LKV Research, Joseph Audio, Basis Audio, Finley Audio, Les Davis Audio | CAF 2021

November 9, 2021 Comments Off

Five world premiers? Zowie! Bill Hutchens of LKV Research guides us through the new products he’s created. Basis Audio gets a standing ovation, bravo! Finley Audio is back for more. Joseph Audio does that thing […]

MC Audiotech, VPI, Linear Tube Audio, Luminous Audio, Weiss, Wolf Audio, Audience | CAF 2021

November 8, 2021 1

MC Audiotech continues to gain some new fans (myself included), LTA does some heavy lifting, Luminous Audio reunites with old friends, along for the ride: Weiss, Wolf Audio, VPI, and Audience. The Story I’ve been […]

Linear Tube Audio, Spatial Audio, Holo Audio, Kitsune Hifi, Anticables, Wolf Audio | CAF 2021

November 8, 2021 1

Some things bear repeating, others demand it. Room 526 at this years Capital Audio Fest 2021, reinforced things we loved and learned about Spatial Audio and Linear Tube Audio way back in 2019. Along for […]

Borresen, Thrax, Vitus, Ansuz, HifiStay, United Home Audio, HighEnd by Oz | CAF 2021

November 8, 2021 Comments Off

Borresen launches a new speaker with a special use for silver, Thrax slaps us across the face with three new serious pieces of electronics, Vitus Audio says “Hey, can I play?“, Ansuz Acoustics places a […]

Dave’s Day One Highlights | CAF 2021

November 6, 2021 1

Okay, I’m not Dave McNair, and I’m not even at the 2021 Capital Audiofest. So don’t ask me where I am and to come to room 409 because you want me to listen to something. […]

Capital Audio Fest 2021 | PREVIEW

November 2, 2021 2

ROCKVILLE, MD (PTA) — This weekend kicks off the return of Capital Audio Fest (website) and the return of audio shows to America’s east coast. Earlier this year our own Grover Neville braved southern California’s atrocious […]