The Capital Audiofest was held the weekend of July 8-10 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville, in Rockville, Maryland. Know for its friendly, informal atmosphere and DIY roots, this year the CapFest moved more into the mainstream, with appearances from a number of major manufacturers.
Highlights included premieres of the second-gen megabuck Muons from KEF and the top-of-the-line Titan turntable from VPI. There were a number of giveaways which drew a lot of attention, including one for a $12,000 Alta Audio/VPI system—look at the crowd that one drew!
In 2017, CAF will attempt to avoid DC’s notorious sweltering summers by moving to November. Based on this year’s show, it should be a strong turnout!
Daedelus showed their beautifully crafted speakers with an impressive array of Border Patrol electronics.
Both Alta Video and VPI were seen and heard in several rooms, and gained a lot of goodwill.
Lifestyle company Fern & Roby showed speakers with cabinets hewn from solid wood, and a hefty turntable with a cast-iron base.
The huge KEF Muons, looking as though they just arrived from outer space, shone in a system with VPI's new statement turntable, Titan.
CAF was bigger than ever. Look at this crow awaiting the announcement of the winner of a $12,000 VPI/Alta Audio system!
Stereophile's Herb Reichert blissed out to the Dans: Dan Clark's Mr. Speakers Ether headphones and Dan Wright's ModWright Tryst headphone amp.
The ever-dapper Ken Furst represented Alta Audio
Head Zu-keeper Sean Casey demoed hickory-finished Definition Mk. IV speakers with a mix of vintage and new gear.
Vintage/EmiaNot all the gear shown was new. This grouping may have escaped from a lab! Dave Slagle's modified Garrard 401 looked nothing like the usual Garrard, and the tube gear... who knows?
