Greg's Exciting Capital Audiofest 2023 Show Report
Bigger, better, bolder, and still my favorite show of the year.
Capital Audiofest 2023 Show Report By Greg Weaver

Room 819 – Hear This
Once again, with this room, we find a group of partners who seem to routinely show together to remarkably successful effect. The room was hosted by Gary Leeds, the managing partner of Hear This, LLC of Irvine, California. He was showing his Hong Kong manufactured WestminsterLab electronics and was joined by New Hampshire's Small Green Computer's Andy Gillis, LampizatOr North America's Fred Ainsley, and California's Von Schweikert Audio CEO, Damon Von Schweikert, and Designer, Leif Swanson.

The system in this room included...
Small Green Computer i9 Optical Gen2 Roon-Ready music server - $2999
Sonore Signature Rendu V2.0 USB Interface streamer/renderer - $4950
LampizatOr Horizon DAC - $49,000
WestminsterLab Quest preamplifier- $25,100
WestminsterLab Rei Class A monoblocks - $32,900/pair
Von Schweikert Audio VR-55 MkII loudspeakers (w/active bass) - $75,000
MasterBuilt Reference XLR Interconnects - $4750/pr
MasterBuilt Reference Loudspeaker cables - $5400/pr
Masterbuilt Reference Power Cables - $5645/ea – two used $11,290

Having lived with Albert Von Schweikert's original VR-55 Actives from just after their introduction, from the spring of 2015 through to my purchase of the Von Schweikert Audio ULTRA 9s in October of 2019, I think it safe to suggest that I know that product and its abilities.

Streamed music in this room, either from files or streaming services, was delivered from the i9 Optical Gen2 server to the superb LampizatOr Horizon DAC from Poland, that I reviewed here. This world-class DAC handed off to the unique WestminsterLab Quest linestage, that in turn fed a pair of Class A Westminster Lab Rei monos. The Rei's then drove the remarkable new VE-55 Mk II loudspeakers.

What amazing sound this amalgam of gear produced. Bass was tight, defined, extended, and IMPACTFUL. Mids were alive with bluster and vitality, and highs shimmered and sparkled with detail, adding space and air that was enchanting. I could have stayed in this room for hours had I not been so busy.

I had the honor of having been invited to spend a good deal of time with the partners Thursday evening during the final setup and dialing in of the room, and will only add that this system only got better and better as it had time to settle and run in. Watch for a YouTube Episode on my channel soon featuring this room!

Room 832 - AV Luxury Group International
This room was hosted by Bruce Bell, founder of AV Luxury Group International, and featured Raidho loudspeakers and Margules Audio products. I was only too happy to get a chance to catch up with yet another old friend, Julian Margules, owner and principal of the 90-year-old Margules Audio Products of Mexico, whom I've had the pleasure of knowing since the 1990s.

The systems in these adjoining rooms included...
Main System:
Margules Music Server/Streamer - $3,500
No DAC information provided
Margules Special Edition SF220 Tube Preamp - $8,000
Margules U-280SC 30^th Anniversary Limited Edition Amplifiers - $12,000/ea - $24,000
Raidho TD3.2 Speakers - $70,000/pr
Speaker Cables and Interconnects by Atlas – no price given
RSX Beyond 6' AC Power Cords on all electronics - $3,500/ea
RSX Power8 AC Power Block - $429

Also on Static Display:
Raidho TD1.2 Monitors- $25,000
Raidho TD1.2 Stands - $3,600

Second System:
Margules Music Server/Streamer $3,500
Margules i240 Class A Integrated Tube Amplifier, 25Wpc - $7,000
Margules Master Floor Standing Speakers - $6,900
Margules Monitor 2 Stand Mount Speakers - $3,900
RSX Benchmark ER-11, 1 M Interconnects - $295/pr
RSX Benchmark ER-61 8' Speaker Cables - $425/pr
RSX Benchmark 6' ER-20 AC Power Cords on all electronics - $250 each
RSX Power8 AC Power Block - $429

Also on Display:
Margules ACRH 4 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier - $4,800

After spending time chatting with Julian (Bruce and I spent a great deal of time talking outside during various "breaks" through the weekend), I admit to being taken by the larger system's ability to render its fine balance of detail and body. This system conveyed a convincing sense of both weight AND impact while presenting a coherent musical gestalt with a clearly defined sense of space and corporeality.

This system was delicate yet muscular, affording instrumental reproduction, especially that of the human voice, an exceptionally natural and expressive character. While listening to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concert No. 3, I was taken with its overall naturalness of delivery, as well as its remarkable fullness and correctness of texture, including its authenticity of sting tone and its nuanced expressiveness.

And as impressive as the big system was, my time with the smaller system, featuring the Margules Master floor standers, really surprised me with its ability to convey musical power and impact.

Yeah, another job well done. Thank you, Julian, and Bruce.

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