Capital Audiofest 2025 commences
Capital Audiofest 2025 opened with a familiar face but an unfamiliar scale. Founded and still owned by Gary Gill, CAF has called the Hilton in Rockville, Maryland, home since 2015; it's the show's third venue. Fifteen years in, after a COVID interruption and steady, year-over-year expansion, Capital Audiofest is now one of the key stops on the US hi-fi show circuit. This year it is as big as ever, consuming the Hilton and spilling over into the hotel across the street. I dropped by on day one to take a look and shoot some videos plus photos.
Command Performance AV debuts the J.Sikora Aspire and Innuos Stream3 with Doshi and Joseph Audio
In addition to their showing in the Democracy room, Command Performance AV brought two US debut products to room 305: the J.Sikora Aspire turntable with the CF9 tonearm ($10,595) and the Innuos Stream3 music streamer with optional PhoenixDAC board ($12,600), which turns it into a fully fledged streaming music player.
From Grimm MU2 to Harbeth M40.5 XD2: Harmonia Distribution packs two rooms with heavy hitters
Jeff Coates of Harmonia Distribution presented several systems in its two-room suite in Rockville.
Gershman Symphoria Debuts with LampizatOr Aphrodite, VAC Master, and Cardas
Ofra Gershman debuted her new Symphoria loudspeakers ($70,000/pair) at CAF. Joining the loudspeakers were a LampizatOr Aphrodite DAC ($105,000) and a Gulfstream music server ($8500).
Gestalt Fine Audio showcases the SW1X DAC V Classic and Cinnamon Cassia loudspeakers
From Maryland to Munich, I've been consistently impressed by the audio systems of Nashville, Tennessee's Gestalt Fine Audio. This year's CAF continued the streak.
GT Audio Works, LampizatOr, Sonore, and Small Green Computer in Giulietta Bellissima Debut
Greg Takesh's GT Audio Works Giulietta Bellissima planar ribbon speakers and OB subs, in their US debuts, are handmade in upstate New York, where he even makes his own drivers.
HiFi Logic, Hapa Audio, and Charney Audio introduce Lumaca IV horns with Voxativ AC-2.6
I strolled into this room not knowing what to expect but seriously intrigued by the pair of large, folded-horn speakers that looked like something from a Grimm's fairy tale.
High End by Oz and United Home Audio showcase Thrax, Viva, and Stenheim
High End by Oz's Oz Turan pops up at shows when least expected, often showing new gear or teaming up with new brands. This year at CAF, Oz systems (and Oz himself) appeared in two rooms.
Innovo Audio Designs’ Luxe T1 active speakers shine with McIntosh, Aurender, and AudioQuest
Florida-based Innovo Audio Designs makes active loudspeakers. Their stylish and unique Luxe T1 speaker, shown at CAF, instantly grabbed my attention. The speaker's small footprint, slim design, and side-mounted bass drivers were something new.
J.Sikora, Aidas, Berkeley, and Gryphon star in Command Performance AV's Democracy Room
Anthony Chiarella, director of sales and marketing for Gryphon NA, was joined by Command Performance AV CEO Jeff Fox and sales manager Jessie Bentley to present two debuts.