Part 2: Capital Audiofest 2024 Rooms 833 To 861
Enjoying great gear and music on floor 8.
Capital Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker

841 Alma Audio
In this first of several rooms sponsored by Alma Audio, the first thing that caught my eye here was the sound-absorbing (reflecting?) picture panels along the side of the room. I guess you can supply your own artwork. Check with NEMESIS; they're $799 each.

The next thing that caught my attention was the new Technics SC-CX700 All-in-One stand-mounted monitors that were putting out a very inviting sound. This active speaker also includes an MM phono input – all for $3k and comes in charcoal black, silky silver, and a terracotta color. Very stylish. This should be a big hit for Technics – both for casual listeners and audiophiles who venture to put the speakers out into the room on stands like this.

Also in this room was a more conventional rig with the new Technics SL-1300G turntable ($3,299) equipped with a Hana Umami Red cartridge ($3,950) which suggests what a good value the turntable alone may be. An Innuos ZEN mini with an LPSU music server provided the digital music ($2,898). A GigaWatt PF-2 power strip ($1550) likely helped, as did the Kubala-Sosna cables. Music from this rig came out from the Amphion Argon 7LS floorstanding speakers ($7k) that were driven by the Accuphase E-280 integrated amp ($7k, plus $1,275 for phono and $1,475 for DAC if you wish) but I didn't hear this set-up when I visited. I've heard both brands on other occasions and I suspect this combination would be quite good.

844 Alma Audio
This room was a bit quirky with small Boenicke W5 monitors ($6,750 or $7,250 with stands) positioned to cross in front of the prime listening position. The stands provide the proper angle for listening.

The Java Hi-Fi Single Shot integrated amp ($9k, $9,495 with wood veneer finish) introduced last year seems to be gaining traction. The extra-cost wooden finish makes this Mid-Century Modern style look very classy. The Single Shot comes with an MM phono stage while I believe the Double Shot adds MC.

An Innuos Pulse Mini streamer ($1,449) handled the digital input.

The Boenike speakers are made from two slabs of solid wood. Intricate transmission lines are routed out of the wood, then the two halves are glued together and binding posts and drivers are added. They have a very high-quality look. Here again, Kubala-Sosna wired the rig.

845 Alma Audio
The Accuphase E-800 Class A integrated amp ($20k) did an excellent job driving the Stenheim Alumine Two.Five speakers without the least bit of irritation that can come from a lesser amp. (Nagra is another brand that works well with Stenheim in my experience.) Below the Accuphase was an MSB Premier DAC ($27,500, plus $2k for the Renderer module below it. An Innuos was also in play here, along with more Kubala-Sosna cables and a SolidSteel rack.

The music bloomed and had plenty of air, floating in the room with a very liquid, analog sound. The relatively high efficiency of the Two.Five means you will not ordinarily need a muscle amp, and at $23,500, this is the sweet spot of the Stenheim line.

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