New and Noteworthy at CAF 2018

We love going to audio shows, mostly just to see friends, meet new people and look at the new products that are being debuted. Oh, and there’s definitely the chance to listen to some really great systems. We like that too! Unfortunately, we aren’t going to Capital Audiofest this weekend. Yeah, we’re bummed out about it, but we couldn’t get it to work out this year.

For those of you who will be there, here’s a brief summary of press releases and information we’ve received about some new and noteworthy products being introduced that you may want to be sure to see. And, for those of you who, like us, aren’t going to be there, well, you can join us in wishing you were. Remember, there’s still  football this weekend, and there’s always next year.

ModWright Instruments, Inc., (Room 312) manufacturer of the award winning KWA 150SE
amplifier, PH 150 Reference Tube phono stage and KWI 200 SS integrated is introducing their new LS 300 Balanced tube preamplifier at CAF 2018. The LS 300 sets a new standard for Reference, Balanced, Dual Mono tube preamplifiers! Read their press release here.

At Capital Audiofest 2018, top high-end audio dealer Tenacious Sound will feature the world and North American premieres of new products from TAD, Unison Research, Quad, Coda, Soundsmith and Audience.

In fact, it’ll take no less than four rooms to demonstrate and exhibit all the products that will be on hand! It’ll all take place at Capital Audiofest 2018 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD (November 2 – 4, 2018).

Click here for a complete listing of all the Tenacious Sound components and systems that will be on exhibit at Capital Audiofest 2018.

Linear Tube Audio is bringing a lot to Capital Audiofest 2018! In fact, they have three rooms and a hallway.

In Room 526, joined by Spatial Audio, who will have their M3 Triode Masters paired with the beautiful combo of the new MicroZOTL Preamplifier and Ultralinear power amplifier.

In the Randolph Room auditioning the MicroZOTL Preamplifier and Ultralinear with Daedalus Audio’s Zeus Speakers.

In the Twinbrook Room, partnered with Fern & Roby‘s excellent analog sources and our brand-new Integrated Z10 power amplifier.

In the Hallway debuting two of their latest products – the MZ3 headphone amplifier and the Electrostatic Z10.

VAC / Valve Amplification Company (Potomac) will introduce the latest member of its award-winning family of Statement audio components at the 2018 Capital Audio Fest in Rockville, Maryland, November 2-4.

The new Statement 450i iQ builds upon the prior art of the Statement separate components.  Conceptually the 450i includes a Statement 450S iQ power amplifier, a statement Line Stage, and a phono stage with multiple inputs and adjustable loading.  Power supply arrangements are dual mono throughout, with six main power transformers for the left & right power amplifier, line stage, and phono stage. See the VAC press release here. And, incidentally, this was The Audio Beatnik’s Choice for Best Debut Product at RMAF last month.

Von SchweikertAudio (Potomac) will also debut their ULTRA 9 Loudspeakers on the east coast at this show. These are their second loudspeaker in the flagship reference series. The technology and performance are essentially identical to the ULTRA 11 I spent a lot of time listening to and reviewed in the “Ultimate System” post after AXPONA.  The ULTRA 9s have a footprint and overall size that more easily fits into most rooms.

With the ULTRA 9s, each channel features two 9-inch reinforced ceramic woofers, one 7-inch reinforced ceramic midrange, one Beryllium Tweeter, two Ribbon Super Tweeters one of which is on the back. Also on the back, there is one magnesium horn-loaded tweeter and one 15-inch compound woven subwoofer with a dedicated 1,000-watt amplifier.

The system in this room was The Audio Beatnik’s choice for Best System Over $500,000 at RMAF last month, and it really is something special to hear.

CAF will be the east coast premier of Legacy Audio’s new Calibre monitors, a high resolution speaker that raises the performance bar for what a compact speaker can do. Calibre is designed to meet and exceed the stringent high performance standards of recording studio professionals and bring a new level of resolution to audiophiles in a compact design. Find out more here. You can also read Jack’s recent reviews of the previous model of Calibres, part 1 and part 2.

You can also look for Planter Speakers by Intelligent Audio Products at CAF this weekend. This is a line of premium, architecturally enhancing, multifunctional speakers that integrate beautifully into any design scheme or decor.  Their products feature unique materials, including sustainably-grown Teak that combine American craftsmanship with high-end audio performance.  You may have seen them at AXPONA, and Becky included them in her list of things she would like to take home with her.

These products are custom-built to order and can be configured to individual application and come in your choice of stereo or mono designs, 180°, 270° and 360° designs, and a variety of finishes. They also make “just planter” models so the landscape can be stylishly adorned with matching cabinets, without overtaxing the budget or pushing beyond sonic necessity.

Note: We will continue to add to this list as we get press releases. Contact becky@theaudiobeatnik.com to submit news items.

 

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