Audio Troy Capital Audio Fest the good, the bad and the ugly!

@glupson sigh, agree... but join us over in the music section Whats on your turntable tonight ? Thread... very little audiophile stuff being played 

I found selection of demo material/music a little misleading, at least for me. Lots of it was acoustic guitars, soft voices that sounded like they were recorded in a very intimate venue just after midnight, jazz, and such. It all sounded impressive at first, that is for sure, but did it really represent what is likely to play on those systems?

There was a room with, pricewise, modest equipment that was playing Dire Straits and bigger Daedalus room that played at least one Bruce Springsteen song. I saw a couple of records that might have been, but they were not playing. Only one room I walked in was playing classical music. One out of 85 (I think I did visit all rooms, many more than once). In one room, I asked a very friendly and polite man who was demoing if he could play some classical next. He happily obliged and we were treated to classical music. Well, it was a female singer with very soft background instruments. It must have been called "classical" but it really was not much different, as far as demoing equipment goes, from any jazz or acoustic music played in most of the rooms. My bad, I did not ask specifically for something a little different.

Out of all those systems, I could compare voices and hear fingers sliding on the guitar neck (that is what a man told us to focus on hearing) but have no idea how Symphony of a Thousand would sound on some undoubtedly high-end system.

Looking at other visitors, I got an impression that most were 40+, easily 50+. Do all of them listen to what was demoed there? Who bought all of those Michael Jackson and Elton John, albums? Not even Rolling Stones. And, beyond puzzling to me, I did not run into any room that played the Beatles. That is music everyone in that age group knows quite well and exists on good quality sound carriers.

I thought the Devore/Luxman room was underwhelming, I think it had to be the room.  The system was displayed in a ballroom.

VPI's new statement piece Vanquish was very interesting driven by Krell electronics, wired with Nordost.  I think the Kef Muon's did the system a slight disservice, was not a fan.  The room was challenging also - I wasn't impressed with the Blades room either which was disappointing since I've always wanted to hear them.

The VAC/Von Sweikert room was excellent, better sounding than last year.  But for 1.5mil, Yikes.  Just the furniture for the system was around 200K.  Great opportunity to listen.  Listening to Fleetwood Mac "The Chain" it was easy to imagine being in the studio with the band.

The CJ/Kharma room was another treat.  The Kharma's for me were the best speaker in the show - wish I could afford them.  The GAT and a new 36 watt power amp were driving them and they were simply outstanding.

Peter at Sound-Smith was putting out great analog tunes with his strain gauge system.  Tonally pure and organic.  He alternated between SG and Hyperion and both cartridges sounded excellent.

Callout to startup Verdant.  Beautiful stand mounted speakers and great sound!

Wanted to hear atmosphere/Classic Audio speakers but they were playing some sort of "space music" that was just terrible.

As usual lots of vinyl rigs.  Good to see Basis there.  My wife graced me with her presence (probably to keep an eye on me) and noticed every time a room was playing digital instead of vinyl.

Daedalus had 2 rooms and just did not do it for me.  Salk Sound was another speaker that sounded good.  Just did not get Magico, sounded sterile to me.

Overall I thought it was a good show.  CAF has morphed into a great event.

jsqt,

Thanks for clarification. It was my fault for forgetting that Luxman has these tube amplifiers. In my defense, they were far.

I hope it was just the room. I was quite underwhelmed in there. Probably personal preference?

Thanks for the report,
I’ll be waiting to read the rest.

JD

Is Devore you are talking about what was in Command AV room? The room that was billed as Luxman but had a few Luxman pieces and none to be heard?

I believe both the CL-1000 preamp and 300b amp were powering the Devores. It was hard to get a sense of how they sounded in that big cavern of a room through those speakers though.

I work for LTA (full disclosure), and based on the press sheet I saw, that Daedalus (Randolph room) number isn't wildly off. There was simply lots of gear (incl cables) in that system, so it adds up.

I have to agree with Tidal. Unexpectedly great. One of the best there.

I will keep quiet on Daedalus. I am simply and apparently not a good match for them.

Is Devore you are talking about what was in Command AV room? The room that was billed as Luxman but had a few Luxman pieces and none to be heard?

Agreed, that number is way off. Based on what Lou has listed in his most expensive room at CAF (Randolf) I'd estimate the total system cost was less that half that figure. 

I wasn't at the show but based upon the Daedalus website and the gear Lou listed as showing with his speakers in 2 rooms it's hard to see how the cost would have been $200K in either

https://www.daedalusaudio.com/shows

Did he show with different equipment?