Part 1: 8th Floor And More CAF 2024 Show Report
A great way to start the day at an audiophile / high-end audio event.
Capital Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker

802 YG Acoustics And Vinnie Rossi
I had never been a big fan of YG Acoustics loudspeakers until their recent designs under new ownership that go back a couple of years now. This room was a clear example of why I've come to appreciate them more. The music was spacious, airy, and inviting with no trace of irritation.

Like many of the rooms at the show here (and previously at Montreal) there was a dearth of room lists with components and prices. I don't know if the presenters think displaying prices will scare people off or fear prices will have to rise with Trump's proposed tariffs. But it does force people like this guy to get up close to the gear to read the fine lettering on the chassis and moon the other listeners in the process. A single list affixed to the wall of the room, and maybe another for just outside the door, would be a kind gesture for those who wish to know. It could help alleviate some of the conversations that become so distracting. That said, Vinnie personally emailed me a list for the room.

That was Innuos' PhoenixNET network switch and Statement Music Server on the front end, along with a Weiss Helios DAC. Audioquest Niagara power conditioner, cables, and Vicoustic diffusion panels were also in play here.

The Vinni Rossi Gen 2 Brama integrated amp ($48k) is a wonderful work from a design standpoint. And it is a marvel of design on the inside with Western Electric 300B tubes operating in Class A in the preamp section and 400 Wpc @ 4 Ohms in Class A/B in the output section. Balanced inputs and a host of other features that need to be explored. And yes, it's pricey, but the quality is there. It also looks great with the silver YG speakers.

YG has always been offered in silver but now black is an option. I like silver a lot more. This was the Hailey 3 speaker ($63,400). Those were YG racks here which are one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the industry with smooth, curved lines to soften the technical look of most components.

This room got the show off to a good start for me.

803 AV Luxury Group
Bayz speakers from Hungary ($47,900 to $69,900) seem to have some staying power in the marketplace. The contemporary look of this omnidirectional speaker has become familiar enough to seem almost normal in the context of high-end audio. I inquired about the double layers of the platform and learned it allows for direct connection to the silver pillars without any visible bolts.

The large C structure is actually quite light. The heavy base keeps it upright and anchored to the floor.

This is one of the few times I've seen the vertically oriented Shunyata Denali power conditioner at a show (6000T/v2, with six outlets, $7k). Sigma X NR power cords ($4k), Sigma X 1.5m XLR ($5,180), Sigma X 2.5m speaker cables ($12.5k) were used. For that matter, I rarely see a sign indicating their cables are being used.

On top of the rack was an Aurender N20 Network Transport Music Server/Streamer ($12.5k). Below that was a Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB noise isolation / reclocker ($2,495) on top of the Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 ($28k). Amplification included the Burmester 088 Top Line preamp ($33k) above the 218 Reference Line Stereo power amp ($50k). The rack was a Solid Tech Hybrid Shelf ($4,800)

A few weeks earlier at the Toronto Audiofest an all-Burmester rig was one of the Best Rooms winners. This less expensive mix of components acquitted itself very nicely, too. The AV Luxury Group came all the way from Las Vegas for this show.

806 YG Acoustics And Bel Canto Design
The music here was a lot more open with a more prominent, but refined top end that sounded a lot more like live music than the previous rooms. But there was a price to pay. The YG Acoustics Sonja 3.3 loudspeakers were $146,800.

On the YG rack were the Bel Canto Black Control System ($40k), and the MA1200 Mono power amps ($20k, each). The monoblocks each put out 375 Watts @ 8 Ohms, 750 Watts @ 4 Ohms, and 1200 Watts @ 2 Ohms. Obviously, this rig could (and should) play in a much larger room. The tall wood diffusers at each side probably helped a lot in this small room. Cardas Clear and Clear Beyond cables were used throughout.

807 Bricasti Design
This rig was practically identical to the rig I had heard weeks ago at the Toronto show. Even Damon Gramont, Director of Sales at Bricasti was identical! Damon agreed with me that this room sounded quite superior and blamed much of the inferior sound at Toronto on the room, despite the fact he was introducing their new DAC here.

On the rack, from the upper left was the new DAC. To the right of it was their M19 Reference SACD/CD I2S transport ($10k). Below the transport was the M20 Line Stage preamp, Argento Edition ($12,500). To the left of the preamp was an M21 DAC, Platinum Edition ($19k), and below all of these were the M28 monoblock amps ($28k/pr.). Note all Bricasti products here come with rather serious footers as standard.

The Tidal Audio speakers from Germany were a prior generation, but you would never know it. This was crystal clear music with plenty of air and outstanding musicality. Coming from a tube-guy, it's saying a lot that I could live very happily with this rig.

This is their new M11 R2R Series II DAC ($12,500). Other goodies here included ASC IsoThermal Tube Traps, Stillpoints Ultra Isolators on the speakers ($839 each footer), and Gotham Cable from Switzerland.

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