My Exciting First Foray At CAF 2024
Attending my first Capital Audiofest proved to be awe-inspiring.
Capital Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Brett Rudolph

621 – Angel City Distribution
The Angel City Distribution room highlighted the new DMP-A10 streamer by Eversolo. The DMP-A10 is the flagship of their streamer line and is a marked step up from the already impressive DMP-A8. Designed with only the most discerning customer in mind, the DMP-A10 takes the DMP-A8 to a whole new level, adding better signal processing, increased signal isolation, cleaner signal pathways, and a custom-designed clock to aid in the signal resolution and sound quality. It also adds enhanced volume control, multiple subwoofer outputs, and a larger internal touch screen.

While I could not listen to the older DMP-A8, the newer DMP-A10 sounded pretty impressive. The room correction did a great job of taking a reasonably awful room and making it sound good. I can only imagine what it would sound like in a room not quite so challenging. It is one of my choices at the show as a standout product.

623 – Playback Distribution
The Playback Distribution room featured a system with the new Vienna Acoustics' Mozart SE Signature speakers powered by Java Hifi's preamp stage and GaNFet Class D amplification. The result was an impressive sounding system. It was clear and well-balanced without a hint of stress or strain.

The soundstage stayed coherent even with challenging material even in the challenging room. Unlike many speakers at the show, the bass was well-controlled and filled the room without overly boomy. Although the system together was somewhat pricey, the speakers themselves didn't seem incredibly expensive considering the sound they produced.

625 – Verastarr And e11even Stereophonic
The Verastarr room mainly showcased their new speaker. The Fischer & Fischer SN70 is somewhat unique. Unlike any speaker I know on the market that utilizes traditional cabinetry materials, the SN70 is built from slate. According to the manufacturer, this bookshelf speaker is hefty and stable, giving it an awe-inspiring bass response. This bass response was certainly on "display" in the room, as you could feel it as you walked in. The sound was impressive and cohesive, even in the less-than-stellar acoustics of the hotel rooms. The bass wasn't muddy and didn't get overly aggressive. It was a perfectly behaved speaker. That is saying something considering its neighbors and friends.

644 – Eastern Bay Sound And Anticables
Eastern Bay Sound is a newcomer to the Capital Audiofest and the audio world. Their first entries into the foray are the Southwind and the SKEG. The Southwind is a single full-range bookshelf speaker. The SKEG is a stereo subwoofer. Both are hand-built in beautiful cabinetry that would make nearly any room proud. They have a sound that matches their exterior and gives a stunning performance. The full-range driver provides a well-defined soundstage full of vim and vigor. Although the speaker has plenty of bass, I prefer the optional subwoofer, especially in the hotel room. Bass is a funny thing and exceptionally hard in these rooms. Interconnects, speaker wire, etc was made by Anticables.

304 – Voxactiv
Voxactiv was showing their Voxativ Alberich Array, a new modular speaker system. They were in a word commanding. The speakers stand over six feet tall, and their black gloss finish and mounted drivers ooze power. Their sound isn't disappointing in the least. They are easy to drive and love loud music, even from tubes. There is very little doubt that these babies are made to rock.

309 – MC Audiotech
MC Audiotech, a company that happens to be located right in my backyard, showcased their new TL-12 speakers. These speakers are both impressive to look at and hear. They are very controlled and refined in the way sound reproduction is handled. The soundstage they produce can captivate the listener with rich and engaging music, even in the challenging hotel room scenario. They were also more revealing than I was expecting to hear at the show, with all the extra commotion and sound artifacts. It makes me wonder what they could do in a proper environment.

There were so many rooms, and by the end of the first day, we were exhausted, and at least my ears hurt. The plan was to stay for some of the evening's events. Still, after a full day of talking, listening, and not even taking a break to eat, it was time to head back to the room for a well-deserved break. Plus, it was time to upload pictures for day 1.

Day 2
We arrived early at the Hilton, thinking Saturday would likely be the show's busiest day. Parking on the first day at the hotel was gone before the show started, so we planned ahead, were rewarded with prime parking, and headed inside. It was 9:30am, and people were already crowded at the registration counter. The most crowded place, of course, was Starbucks, but that wasn't a huge surprise. We had to retake a few pictures and start on the rooms, hoping to gain traction before it got crowded.

Plaza Ballroom III – Arion Audio And Merrill Audio
The Arion Audio Ballroom was the first of the big ballrooms that I had the chance to visit on the second day, and it turned out to be one of my absolute favorites. The Arion Audio speakers, Merrill Audio amplification, accompanying cables, and front-end playback components made for spectacular sound. We were one of the first people in the room, so we got almost prime seating, but it didn't seem to matter; every seat was a good spot, and every note was better than the next. Rarely do I find that speakers can capture sounds and electrostatics, yet here they were, right in front of me.

The soundstage was captivatingly holographic! One selection played, and I went to see if it was a different version than the one I normally used because it seemed different, but it was the same. It sounded slightly different because there was more detail than I'd heard. The system might be a dream in my world, but it could be someone's reality and worth every penny.

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