Capital Audiofest, Day One

Stereophile

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<p><img class="story_image" src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/2013CAF%202%20(GT).jpg" /></p> I can see already that this show has something in common with my favorite audio designers, audio dealers, audio writers, and audio enthusiasts: Capital Audiofest is an event with a distinct point of view. That this point of view mirrors my own enthusiasm for vintage gear in particular and relatively affordable, anti-(high-end) establishment gear in general, is icing on the cake.
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That said, it turns out I began my first day at CAF with a somewhat conservative system: a pair of GT Audio Works GTA2 loudspeakers ($6495/pair, above) driven by a pair of very powerful Arion class-D monoblocks ($7500/pair), with a Dodd battery-powered tube preamp ($1750) and Plinius CD 101 CD player (($3300), assembled with various cables from Triode Wire Labs. Though the sound was somewhat skeletal, and left me wishing for a little more timbral flesh on those bass-and-treble bones, an unidentified classical track from the first Philips demo disc was pleasantly compelling, and seemingly free of harshness.
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<img src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/2013CAF%203%20(DIY).jpg" width="600" border="0" /></p><p>
Happily, I didn't have to wait long for the weird to kick in. A visit to the room sponsored by the <a href="http://www.dcaudiodiy.com">DC Audio DIY club</a>, offering a rotating line-up of components and systems devised by various members, provided ample evidence of this area's active homebrew scene. During my visit, the system of the moment was built around a pair of Urei 801B full-range drivers on open baffles, created by Roscoe Primrose

[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/capital-audiofest-day-one]
 
Sounds like a great time! Shows like CAF can be full of surprises and a quirky mix of talented designers and industry people. I hope you get to see and experience all the new and exciting equipment and music available. I was fortunate to find several hard to find LP's that I had been wanting at the 2013 AXPONA show in Chicago. I also got to make some new friends and meet a few designers that have had a very successful careers in the audio industry. Keep the updates coming.
 
Did anyone hear the speakers in this photo?

2013CAF%2010%20(Vu%20Hoang).jpg
 
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