Capital AudioFest Chronicles 2022
Beautiful sounds on the 5th Floor Part B.
Show Report By Rick Becker

Room 559 Fidelity Imports (Unison Research, Opera, QED)
Jumping over to Italy in this room, a Unison Research Sinfonia integrated tube amp ($6499) or their Unico Due integrated amp ($4k) that was inscribed "Tube Sound, Valve Transistor" was driving Opera Quinta SE speakers ($7k) dressed in a black leather front baffle and top with real wood veneer sides. The Neo Quattron rack in this room was $4k and illustrated the possibility of having a lower shelf height. Again there was an Innuos ZEN Mini with a linear power supply. (They had the M2Tech gear from Pisa, Italy in the next room.)

There was no music playing when I visited here and the host was in an extended conversation with a prospective customer so I moved on. I've heard these brands many times before and if you're attracted to the style that Italians lavish on their goods, I can easily recommend seeking it out.

Room 561 Fidelity Imports (M2Tech, Q Acoustics, QED, Titan Audio)
Here's an example of a room posting that I found very helpful. It lists the products with their prices and some key features as well as a photo so you know what you're looking at in the room. This can save the host a lot of talking and keep the chatter down in a room. Show attendees can easily photograph it with their cell phones to further investigate products when they get home. This also cuts down on the expense of printed brochures that used to be so plentiful at shows but have disappeared to a large degree. Many, but far from all exhibitors are doing this. I find these very helpful when writing my show reports. Just sayin'.

I've found Q Acoustics speakers very enjoyable in the past and this room was no different with the Concept 50 model ($3k) driven by M2Tech mini components that seemed too small for the Neo rack here. I appreciate the extended feet at the rear of the speaker that lens stability to this lighter and more affordable design that is likely to find a home with kids running around.

The M2Tech Young preamp ($3499) took the top shelf with a separate power supply underneath it. On the rack below were two M2Tech Crosby stereo amps that put out 60 Wpc @ 8 Ohms. Each amp was bridged for mono but no spec was given for power output in mono. The amp features both single-ended and balanced inputs and claims an impressive signal-to-noise ratio of 115dB in stereo mode and 118dB when bridged. The USA price from the importer .

For those who appreciate the look of wood, the Q Acoustics 3050i speaker was on silent display but I expect it found playing time during the show as it likely is a good value. I can't believe it is real wood veneer at that price. I should have looked closer.

That wraps up the 5th Floor and also wrapped up the show on Friday. In the next installation of the Capital AudioFest Chronicles, I'll start with my Saturday coverage of the large rooms on the 3rd Floor (which was street level). And after that will be the Atrium Level with a few big rooms and all the booths. You can expect at least two more installations in the coming weeks with a lot of very interesting equipment yet to come as well as my wrap-up with my declaration of the Best Rooms at the show.

Be well, shop safely, and enjoy your music.

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