Capital Audio Fest 2023 | Day 1 Show Report

I should add that this was the first of several rooms that used various Joseph Audio speakers and they sounded consistently good, which is quite an achievement at a show.

Speaking again of prices, the Cronus Dark integrated is priced at $4495.

Introduction: Synergistic Research Voodoo Streamer/Server

Synergistic had their new Voodoo streamer on demo in the Scott Walker Audio room. In fact, they had two Voodoos in the demo system so that one could be dedicated to Roon implementation and one could be dedicated to streaming per se. The Voodoo doesn’t have to be used this way; you can run Roon and streaming on a single box, but they claim that allocating more processing power to each function is sonically advantageous. In addition, they have implemented many proprietary learnings from their ethernet router and Ethernet switch, along with ideas built into the Galileo PowerCell, into the Voodoo.

The demo, which included a wide range of other Synergistic products (cables, grounding, racks, acoustic treatments), sounded very good (more on this later). But the most interesting part of the demo was that they have implemented the ability to switch the proprietary circuit features in or out. Listening to a comparison of the two modes, the soundstage was clearly deeper and more open with the special Synergistic elements in circuit.

Pricing for the Voodoo isn’t completely set, but should be under $15,000 with a Synergistic power cable or under $12,000 with no power cable (allowing you to use a cable you already own).

Introduction: YG Acoustics Carmel 3 speaker, Vinnie Rossi Brama Preamp, Vinnie Rossi Brama Stereo Amp

I heard the new YG Acoustics Carmel 3 in the Alma Music & Audio room. The Carmel 3 is new and was presented in a beautifully machined metal finish. YG clarity and transparency were on full display. The Carmel 3 also exhibited ample but balanced bass in the relatively small demo room. It is easy to imagine this size speaker fitting nicely in a real living space and if that space is relatively compact (under 3000 cubic feet) the bass balance of the Carmel 3 might integrate better than that of larger speakers.

The Carmel 3 is priced at $29,800 per pair in the U.S.

The Carmel 3s were driven by the new Vinnie Rossi Brama preamp and stereo amp. The preamp is especially interesting because it uses 300B tubes, which are normally though of as a power tube. Designer Vinnie Rossi points out that the 300B is simply a very linear tube and thus is ideal for a preamp. In addition, you can switch the way the 300B plays in the circuit, allowing some voicing adjustments to be made. The voicing choices are memorized by the preamp per input, so you can voice, say, digital and phono differently and have the preamp automatically use your preferred setting.

Coupled with the Brama solid state stereo amp, which has 300 watts rated output per channel, and an MSB Premier DAC, the Brama pre sounded detailed, and to my mind, not obviously like tubes. Again, natural detail and clarity were the order of the day.

The Brama preamp and power amp are each priced at $33,995.

Introduction: Von Schweikert Audio VR-55 MkII speakers powered by Westminster, Sonore and Lampizator

In the Hear This room, I heard the new Von Schweikert Audio VR-55 MkII speakers on demo with their intriguing active bass system. The front end had a Sonore streamer and a Lampizator Horizon DAC running into a WestminsterLab Quest preamp and WestminsterLab Rei amplifiers.

The sound in this room was clean and dynamic, but I was immediately impressed by the deep and well-controlled bass. “Maybe it’s the room” thought I, because the rooms in hotel vary in size and shape quite a bit. The VR-55 MkII that I heard had two special Von Schweikert bass technologies. The active bass version has amplification on board for the woofers. You connect your power amp to the speakers and it powers the midrange and tweeter, and that high level signal is also used to derive the signal for the onboard bass amp.

The VR-55 MkII is priced at $65,000 or $75,000 in active bass configuration.

ampsandsound Yellowstone Preamp and Arches monoblock amps

ampsandsound was demonstrating two very interesting electronics products. The Yellowstone preamp and Arches amps were fed by a VPI Avenger Direct turntable and drove Acora QRC-1 speakers via Cardas Clear cables. The ampsandsound philosophy is that there are classic tube circuits that are difficult to improve except by using modern parts where those have advanced. Consistent with this, the Yellowstone preamp is based on the Marantz Model 7 circuit. Substantial attention to detail in updating the model 7 includes an extremely complex volume control with optical encoding and a relay-driven resistive ladder network. The Arches mono amps are based on the Harman/Kardon Citation II amplifier circuit, although arranged in a dual mono configuration. The transformers are custom wound and a pair of amplifiers sports 6 transformers for improved power supply performance. The Arches are rated at 80 watts per channel.

The Yellowstone preamp is priced at $35,000 and the Arches amplifiers are $50,000 per pair.

Goebel Divin Marquis Speakers with Wadax Atlantis Server and DAC and Riviera Preamp and Power Amps

Perhaps the most impressive sound on day 1 was in the Bending Wave room. The dynamics of this system were notable, with percussion sounding especially lively. Soundstaging on the right tracks was also large and especially unusual in that some images extended well beyond the left or right speaker on streams capable of revealing this. The sense of textural integrity extending into the bass was also a rare event. Was this the speakers? Robert Harley had a good experience with the larger Goebels he had in his room, so I suspect the speakers helped. But the tendency to blame or praise the speakers alone for system sound is, frankly, illogical. I have talked to Robert about the Wadax digital gear and he repeatedly reminds me that they do things that other digital in his experience can’t quite manage. And then we have the Riviera amps, which are a proprietary mix of tubes, MOSFETS and bipolar transistors in class A arrangement. The Riviera circuit is based on research about the ear/brain system’s impact on perception, which at least makes it potentially distinctive. I was slightly uncomfortable with the playback levels in this rather large room, so I would very much like to hear more of each element in the chain in a more typical domestic setting.

The Goebel Divin Marquis speakers are priced at $90,000 per pair. The Riviera amps are priced at $82,800.

Very intriguing.

Introductions: Gryphon Diablo 333 integrated amp, J Sikora Standard MAX Special Edition, Aidas Mammoth Tusk Gold SE cartridge

The Command Performance AV room had ample new items and sounded excellent. The new J Sikora Standard MAX SE was the front end in the system when we were there. The SE takes the Editor’s choice winning Standard MAX and adds a choice of 30 or more finishes. The J Sikora was fitted with an Aidas MC cartridge whose body is made of mammoth tusk, which is said to be more molecularly consistent and ecologically friendly than more “modern” organic materials. Here is Jesse from Notable Audio, the importer, describing the cartridge:

The J Sikora/Aidas rig was running into the Doshi Audio Evolution phono stage and then to the new Gryphon Diablo 333 integrated. This rig drove the recently introduced Magico S3 speakers.

The Gryphon Diablo is a beautiful beast of an integrated. It weighs 112 lb and offers 333 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 1100 watts per channel into 2 ohms. You can order it with an optional built-in phono stage or a DAC module using ESS DAC components.

This room was definitely a contender for most natural sound. As I said, I can’t rank the rooms absolutely, but it is pretty easy to tell what the philosophy of the equipment and setup is. This is a room where most elements of the sound were quite accurate and where the distortions and subtle indicators of artificiality were minimized. I should also say I heard the excellent Magico S3s in several rooms and this was probably the best they sounded (but remember: different rooms and seating positions).

The J Sikora Standard MAX SE is priced at $23,000

The Aidas Mammoth Tusk Gold Special Edition is priced at $8650

The Gryphon Diablo 333 integrated amp is priced at $24,990 without the two optional modules

Introduction: Boenicke W13 SE+ loudspeaker

The Swiss Boenicke W8 is an impressive, diminutive floorstander we covered at Axpona. So I had high hopes for the big brother, called the W13, which was being introduced at Capital Audio Fest. I wasn’t disappointed, although for $57,000 per pair, expectations should be high. The W13 sound is detailed and the imaging is good, despite the fact that seating was not ideal while I was there. The W13 uses some complex cabinetry and unusual cone materials. Alma Music & Audio gave every advantage possible to the W13s, with Nagra Classic amps and preamp, MSB Select DAC and Innuos server.

Introduction: TIDAL Audio Contriva G3 loudspeaker

The Voice That Is room demoed the new Tidal Contriva G3 speakers driven by the Tidal Contros digital streamer/DAC/preamp hooked up to a Tidal Intra stereo amplifier. This is a beautiful and compact set of electronics that would make sense in a real living room. The Contriva G3 speakers are fairly large, but because their volume is mostly in the depth dimension, and they are very nicely finished, they were not visually overwhelming. Again, this might work in certain shared living rooms.

Whether you have a dedicated room or a multi-purpose living room, you might want this system because the sound is so pure and neutral. The musicians just seem to perform in the room with minimal artifacts and resonances. And yet, when more rip-roaring music is played, the dynamics are strong and the bass goes deep. Very natural sound appropriate for musicians and those who know and appreciate the sound of live music.

The Tidal Contriva G3 speakers are priced at $79,000 per pair.

Introduction: Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Estelon XB MkII speakers, JMF preamp and JMF stereo amplifier

The Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 was on demo in several rooms. I got the best chance to listen in the Scott Walker Audio room. The lack of grit and edge and other digital nasties was impressive. Imaging was also well-rendered. I do think the Estelon XB speakers and JMF electronics contributed to the very engaging, dynamic, transparent sound that had tasty bass and a certain rightness to it. Note that Berkeley has spent huge efforts on the ear/brain perceptual elements of digital, so that may be at work too.

The Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 is priced at $28,000.