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

Randolph – Linear Tube Audio, Dr. Vinyl, And Sound Lab
If you want to make a profound statement in your listening room or elsewhere in your home, don't look further than Sound Lab. The electrostatic G9-7C large floorstanding loudspeakers they had on display were huge, easily dwarfing a person and sounding big. The music resolved with the richness one would expect from electrostatic speakers. There was more than enough bass, which sometimes can be a problem with electrostatics. I certainly had no complaints about the upper ranges either. The only complaint I might register was a slight compression, but I think that was more of a room issue than anything else.

Plaza Ballroom I – Matterhorn Audio Group
The second of the big ballrooms next to each other in the main room heads Matterhorn Audio. They distribute several Scandinavian brands, which they proudly present. These brands were also on display throughout the show. However, the system was spot on to spotlight their speakers and capabilities.

They were making an A/B switch between the Kroma Atelier Turandot and the Kroma Atelier Thais. These speakers are separated in price by over $220k and have similar sounds. So, while the Thais might not fill up the room as well, be as striking or as rich, it isn't nearly as expensive. It was absolutely an impressive display.

Monroe – 20/20 Evolution
The room held a sort of treat. What happens when you marry great brands with a company that takes them and tweaks them even further? The answer is a synergy. The company has taken top-end brands they sell and made them better. That's all I can say about it. They had several components on display, and they had made some modifications approved by the manufacturer to improve performance.

33 – Snake River Audio
Snake River Audio showed off their newest cable, the Takshaka. It uses gold, silver, and copper as conducting materials and a new way to weave them. Together, they make the Takshaka a very groundbreaking product for Snake River. Knowing Jonny means it is worth trying.

Potomac – Acora Acoustics And Valve Amplification Company (VAC)
If you wanted the prime example of what could be done with a complete tubed amplified system on steroids, you'd have to look no further than the VAC (Valve Amplification Company) and Acora Acoustics loudspeaker system. It was simply beautiful. There were plenty of highs and lots of airy midrange. The soundstage was perfectly placed, being both warm and inviting. If there were one complaint, it would be that I wanted a little more bass, but it could've been anything between the room and the fact that it was tubed. Overall, it was a great system.

After what seemed like a short time, it was already three, and we decided to head back to the hotel, vowing to return for the entertainment later that evening. Of course, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray, and so it went. Once back at the hotel, computer issues caused some problems, and soon seven came. We decided that perhaps dinner and sleep were more important. Day 2 ended with no fanfare, but Day 3 still held excitement.

Day 3
Admittedly, by Day 3, my son and I were a bit tired. I didn't know it then, but I had also picked up a bug that had been going around at the show, so I was also a bit sick. We arrived at the Hilton again a tad before 10, but there was virtually no one there except the vendors, and they were in worse shape than I felt. Luckily, we have completed only two rooms, which we somehow missed during the first two days. It meant we had the time to go back and enjoy some of the rooms we liked the best, plus decide what our show winners would be.

Montgomery Room – House of Stereo
Walking into a room with the music playing at a reasonable volume was nice. It was even nicer when the music was so pristine that it made me pause and try to remember the last time I had this particular selection. The show had some great systems, but this one nearly stole my breath away. Oh, it was big, and it was extremely expensive, but it really didn't matter. It was also as perfect as I've heard anywhere in recent memory. You can't put a price tag on a sound like this. Though, indeed, most people can't afford it, it is certainly worth striving to achieve. If I could have it all, I would, but I think I'd start with the T+A P 3100 HV Reference DAC. I liked its performance.

Regency Room – NOLA Speakers
This was the last room I went to, not because I meant to do it last, but because I somehow missed it on day 2. I probably would've missed it on Day 3, except they were playing Pink Floyd, and I'm happy they did. The NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers are impressive with their open-driver design. However, the beauty is far more than surface deep. The music they produce is undoubtedly life – the Pink Floyd music came from a CD of a concert that I attended years ago. Though a bad copy, I would've been hard-pressed to tell that it wasn't the same as being there. That is genuine praise from me.

Alas, after I finished at the Nola room, it was time to say adios to a bit of ado to the Capital Audiofest for the year. It was certainly more than I expected. There were so many vendors, manufacturers, and audiophiles that it was a delightful experience. There wasn't any real pressure, and everyone was there to enjoy themselves. It was, in short, a good time for all.  I can only say that I can’t wait to see everyone next year.

Best Of CAF 2024 Blue Note Awards
• Caprese Audio's Contessa (Tweak)

• Eversolo DMP A10 (Streamer)

• Innovo TL - 10 (Powered Loudspeaker)

• Fischer & Fischer SN40 (Loudspeaker)

• Chesky Audio LC - 1 (Loudspeaker)

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