Capital Audiofest 2025

[gleeds]

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Nice job as always, Elliot. I hope it was a fruitful few days with the fantastic Goerbel speakers. My only comment is the EMM sign......as a marketing man, it ruins the beautiful landscape of the setup. Next year on the sidewall

 

[gleeds]

The Voice That Is had their exhibit of smaller Tidal speakers from Germany. Paired with a pair of subwoofers from REL and Tidal's own amplifiers and dac, this particular system to my ears sounded more coherent, and musically alive than their larger set ups in the years past at the CAF. The REL subs were very well integrated and the whole soundstage just breathed, and floated in and around the room. Another superb set up!

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Doug White always creates great sound in his room. Integrating woofers is never easy, so kudos there as well.

 

[gleeds]

if you are referring to today, football on Sunday is a tough competitor. last year in September at the Seattle Show Sunday was almost empty. Friday and Saturday had been much better.

Mike, we sense from experience that audio shows are losing steam in general. They remain valuable, but the industry must find a different format. We were at the NYC show several weeks earlier—poor organization, no promotion, and low turnout despite some interesting exhibits. Easy to criticize (and Gary runs a decent show), so I'll refrain, but when we come up with some better ideas, we will share for sure.

In the meantime, we had an enjoyable few days in room 850 with Vinnie Rossi, MSB's superb Cascade, Thales table, and our host, Alma Audio of Sterling, VA. Mike Fremer spent about an hour spinning vinyl pre-pressings on Saturday morning, and it was a highlight.

Thanks AL for the Show report

 

[LL21]

Yes he does mods to C J amps. This year he had on display his modified classic 350 solid state amp, priced at (ouch) 40 Grand.

Wow! I have heard that amp…exceptionally good from memory.

What does he do to the CJs? Is this something he does regularly?

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Wow! I have heard that amp…exceptionally good from memory.

What does he do to the CJs? Is this something he does regularly?

I don't know if he does it regularly, but I know he has he own line of cabling and does quite a bit of custom designs.

 

[Kingrex]

Thats all the reporting? No one else went?

 

[findog]

I will second that Doug White's room with the REL subs was amazing. Not easy getting all that to gel. His room is always great.

Equally amazing was the new Lampizator Aphrodite DAC, VAC amps, and the Gershman Acoustics Symphoria speakers. The Aphrodite is a beast and so so musical. The speakers outstanding. Anywhere in the room I felt I was in the sweet spot. Brilliant rooms.

 

[Gregadd]

Mike, we sense from experience that audio shows are losing steam in general. They remain valuable, but the industry must find a different format. We were at the NYC show several weeks earlier—poor organization, no promotion, and low turnout despite some interesting exhibits. Easy to criticize (and Gary runs a decent show), so I'll refrain, but when we come up with some better ideas, we will share for sure.

In the meantime, we had an enjoyable few days in room 850 with Vinnie Rossi, MSB's superb Cascade, Thales table, and our host, Alma Audio of Sterling, VA. Mike Fremer spent about an hour spinning vinyl pre-pressings on Saturday morning, and it was a highlight.

Thanks AL for the Show repor

While I prefer last year's setup with Lampazator and Westminster setup, this had pleasing sound. This could be your last speaker. Unless you can afford the Ultra 7. What do I mean by last speaker? The ability pass through whatever you put in front of it virtually uncovered.

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[marty]

Doug White always creates great sound in his room. Integrating woofers is never easy, so kudos there as well.

I've known Doug for over 40 years. He's older than dirt (so am I). Doug always gets good sound because he has an exceptional ear. He can get good sound from 2 Dixie cups and a string. He's also one of the highest caliber dealers and individuals in the biz.

That's all the reporting? No one else went?

On the subject of attendance at shows like this, we can appreciate that dealer participation has decreased as the cost for participating has likely not been rewarded by a return in sales. As far as consumer participation, enthusiasm particularly among the young, has likely declined (well-cited by almost every industry publication and blog) due to affordability and the continued reliance on inexpensive compressed formats such as MP3 which continue to attract the lion's share of their interest for music reproduction. Hard to see how this story ends well for high end audio.

 

[Elliot G.]

Nice job as always, Elliot. I hope it was a fruitful few days with the fantastic Goerbel speakers. My only comment is the EMM sign......as a marketing man, it ruins the beautiful landscape of the setup. Next year on the sidewall

Can’t win every battle Gary some things aren’t worth it

 

[unboxed]

I have not found any good show reports. One site has a lot of pictures but no commentary. Other sites are previews of the show but no follow up.

 

[Elliot G.]

I've known Doug for over 40 years. He's older than dirt (so am I). Doug always gets good sound because he has an exceptional ear. He can get good sound from 2 Dixie cups and a string. He's also one of the highest caliber dealers and individuals in the biz.


On the subject of attendance at shows like this, we can appreciate that dealer participation has decreased as the cost for participating has likely not been rewarded by a return in sales. As far as consumer participation, enthusiasm particularly among the young, has likely declined (well-cited by almost every industry publication and blog) due to affordability and the continued reliance on inexpensive compressed formats such as MP3 which continue to attract the lion's share of their interest for music reproduction. Hard to see how this story ends well for high end audio.

The attendance was probably less than last year however the hotel was packed with more rooms and gear than ever. The median age is officially OLD there is no doubt about that .
I enjoy this show but like all shows the results are ….

 

[findog]

I actually see more diversity than ever at the C.A.F. I don't know about other shows but their is a younger, more diverse crowd each of the last four years.

 

[Al Stewart]

I attended the show with my 24 year-old sons. They were both favorably impressed. I saw younger folks at the show—they seemed to aggregate around the headphones and headphone amplifier areas. My sons also commented on the amount of “affordable” gear in many rooms. They told me later the show allowed them to see that the barrier to entry for higher sound quality was not as steep as they thought.

And I tip my hat to the 18 year old designer displaying $2K monitor speakers that were 3D printed—the Chesky Audio room.

FWIW my sons loved the Prana Fidelity room where Steven held court. They stopped in all 3 days. Very entertaining…great musical selections and excellent energy.

 

[sbnx]

I have not found any good show reports. One site has a lot of pictures but no commentary. Other sites are previews of the show but no follow up.

One way to see what happened at the show is to view some of the youtube stuff. The Audiophile Junkie has long form videos on a lot of the rooms complete with music. OCD HiFI Guy (Mikey) has a bunch of shorts from several of the rooms. I am sure there are others but this is a start.

 

[gleeds]

Can’t win every battle Gary some things aren’t worth it

So true. Totally get it, E!

 

[gleeds]

I have not found any good show reports. One site has a lot of pictures but no commentary. Other sites are previews of the show but no follow up.

I expect you will see some from Fremer, TAS, and PTA. Gotta give those guys a chance to get home

 

[gleeds]

I've known Doug for over 40 years. He's older than dirt (so am I). Doug always gets good sound because he has an exceptional ear. He can get good sound from 2 Dixie cups and a string. He's also one of the highest caliber dealers and individuals in the biz.


On the subject of attendance at shows like this, we can appreciate that dealer participation has decreased as the cost for participating has likely not been rewarded by a return in sales. As far as consumer participation, enthusiasm particularly among the young, has likely declined (well-cited by almost every industry publication and blog) due to affordability and the continued reliance on inexpensive compressed formats such as MP3 which continue to attract the lion's share of their interest for music reproduction. Hard to see how this story ends well for high end audio.

Marty, my view does not follow the pack. Yes, prices are high, and aging boomers like us are well, aging. The sport we know, with big amps, cables, and giant speakers, is not aging well, but energy is percolating elsewhere. I'm off topic here, so signing off.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

I have not found any good show reports. One site has a lot of pictures but no commentary. Other sites are previews of the show but no follow up.

Clement was there, we briefly exchanged our opinions on some hyped up speakers.... You can ask him what he thought of those.

 

[Audiohertz2]

There were no Magico or Wilson Audio speakers showing, nor any Bowers & Wilkins. Also, the crowds were noticeably smaller than even the last year, not to mention the first time the show re-opened after the Covid-19. Many rooms were practically empty on the upper floors, when I entered.

Expected ….