The Computer Audio Design /Aesthetix room was one we were most looking forward to spending some time in at RMAF 2019. If you ever see them listed at a show, I encourage you to stop by and listen for a while. I don’t usually make such a strong recommendation, but I really enjoyed the Computer Audio Design/Aesthetix room at T.H.E. Show in June, and I gave it an award as a Room of Distinction for that show. You can read what I said about that room here.
About CAD and Aesthetix
Scott Berry is an electrical engineer and has worked for some of the largest electronics companies in the industry. He founded CAD a few years ago to be able to pursue some of what he calls “out of the box” thinking in designing his own products. CAD is computer audio oriented, and their products match well with high-speed streaming. In fact, I’d say their digital sounds more like original, live music than I thought was really possible.
Jim White is equally passionate about tube technology, analog, and music. He founded Aesthetix in Moorpark, California over 20 years ago. His designs are distributed globally and have won numerous awards.
The System
The System
The system included the following from CAD:
- 1543 MKII DAC, $12,000
- CAD Audio Transport (CAT), $14,000 (new upgraded version)
- USB II Cable, $1500
- GC1 Ground Control, $1995
- GC3 Ground Control, $4500
- GC-R Ground Control, $21,500 (brand new)
- Ground Control Cables, $350 each
Aesthetix gear provided amplification with a Metis Reference Line Preamplifier and a pair of Atlas Eclipse Mono Power Amplifiers. Speakers were the Boenicke Audio W8 SEs. These were the same speakers we heard in the CAD/Aesthetix room at T.H.E. Show, so we know they pair well with the CAD and Aesthetix gear. HRS Audio Stands and Bibacord interconnects complete the system.
Again, if you are ever at a show and see CAD and Aesthetix listed, don’t miss them. The guys behind these two companies know how music should sound.
You didn’t mention the Boenicke speakers? Why not? I’ve noticed CAD and Boenicke together before. I’d love to hear more about the speakers. Thanks.
Adam, I barely mentioned the Boenicke speakers, which was an injustice to them, and thank you for calling me on it. I’ve updated the post to say that yes we have heard these speakers previously, and they pair well with CAD and Aesthetix. Just wish we could have heard them at RMAF.
Oh, I just read that you couldn’t actually be at the show, sorry. I wish these speakers had more distribution in the US. I’d like to hear them one day.