We are kicking off the Capital Audiofest party early with some previews of what you can expect at the show next week. This should make it a bit easier to plan your visit, especially if you can spend the whole weekend at the show. It is bigger than ever, so getting the most out of your time is more important than ever.

Belleson & Eastern Bay

Playback Distribution

5 AREAS OF AUDIO BLISS!

Although Playback Distribution will not be hosting its own rooms at this year’s Capital Audio Fest, we were asked to support a few of our dealer’s presentations in delivering experiences ranging from premium two-channel systems featuring brand-new products to immersive cinema environments typically seen only at CEDIA.

We’re also sending two of our best — Keith Haas and Rich Fairbrother — to help facilitate demonstrations and answer any questions throughout the show.

We invite you to visit each of these rooms and experience these carefully curated, high-performance solutions firsthand. If you’d like to schedule dedicated time for reviews or in-depth demonstrations, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this email.

DreamScapes – Room 619

NEW! Esoteric Grandioso, Quadraspire, Esprit

One of this room’s active display features a full stack of Esoteric Grandioso electronics highlighted by the US DEBUT of the Esoteric Grandioso N1 Network Steamer/DAC ($45,000). The full stack will include the Grandioso K1X SE SACD Player ($44,000), Grandioso G1X Master Clock Generator ($32,000), Grandioso C1X Solo Preamplifier ($22,000) and Grandioso S1X Stereo Amplifier ($37,000).  The equipment will be stacked on Quadraspire SVT Shelves and all connected and powered through Esprit cables.

DreamScapes Room – Room 619 – Second Demo

Esoteric Core

Room 619 will have a second demo area featuring the Esoteric Core series of products.  This will include the N-01XD SE Network Streamer/DAC ($26,000), K-01XD SE SACD Player ($28,500), F-02 Integrated Amplifier ($21,000), G-01 Master Clock Generator ($15,000), and PS-01F Separate F-02 Power Supply ($5,700).  

DreanScapes – Room 616

Amphion Krypton3X Flagship Loudspeaker

The amphion Kryptons ($29,998) will be on active display in room 616.  As the reference product of the amphion home line of loudspeakers do not disappoint.  Their 3-way structure allows for a full range, realistic performance while the Cardioid design minimized unwanted reflections providing exceptional performance from small to large rooms and even near windows! If you haven’t experienced these speakers yet, make it a “Must Hear” on your list.

All Elite Audio – Booth 1

Advance Paris, Silent Angel

Stop by All Elite Audio at Booth 1 to have a look at the always popular Advance Paris A12 Classic Integrated Amplifier ($4,499) complete with it’s Dual Tube front end and Dual oversized toroidal transformers.  All Elite Audio will also be featuring a brand that is rapidly gaining popularity, Silent Angel.  These audiophile-grade network streamers, switches, and clocks are gaining serious recognition.  The Munich M1T Network Streamer ($699) and Genesis GX Word Clock ($3999) will be on display.

House of Stereo – Montgomery Room

Silent Pound

Silent Pound has been getting a ton of attention lately.  Their use of constant directivity technology creates and incredible sound stage in just about any environment without the need of acoustic treatment.  Have a listen to the Challenger 2 ($38,999) loudspeakers and hear for yourself what people are raving about.

DreamScapes – Room 608

Krix, MC²

Straight from the CEDIA EXPO in Denver, the Krix and MC² immersive cinema will be fully active at CAF 2025.  This 11.6.6 system will include the Krix modular MX30 for the front stage, Hyperphonix 45 Surround (8), Hyperphonix 45 (6) Atmos channels and the Brand New 18″ Infrasonic subwoofers (6).  All powered through MC² amplification.  This will not be one to miss! 

Grandinote

Join Grandinote at Room 861, Capital Audiofest 2025 (Nov 14-16)! Experience the world premiere of Grandinote Mach 8 Evoluzione loudspeakers, crafted with carbon fiber and aluminum, alongside the Grandinote Solo integrated amplifier. Meet our partners Kimber Kable and Audio Compositions.

Linear Tube Audio

Join us next weekend at Capital Audiofest ‘25 for something special. November 14–16, visit the Hilton Rockville for a weekend devoted to exceptional sound, craftsmanship, and the people who appreciate it.

Back by popular demand, we’re extending our Tenth-Anniversary Sale which includes 10% off all new LTA products along with free global shipping.

Both spaces debut the Century Monoblock amplifiers—our most powerful design to date. Paired with the Aero DAC, MicroZOTL Preamplifier Level 3, and a never-before-heard LTA Balanced Preamplifier Prototype (not for direct sale; name, price, and release date to be announced), you’ll experience Sound Lab Electrostats the way they were meant to be heard.

Two Rooms, One Vision

Find us alongside our Century dealer partners:

• Sound Lab Electrostats, DrVinyl – Randolph
• Afton Mountain Audio – Room 759

In partnership with Popori Acoustics, Room 721 showcases the WR1 sicambria loudspeakers driven by a complete LTA reference system: Aero DAC, MicroZOTL Preamplifier Level 3, and ZOTL40 Reference+. This pairing brings out the natural transparency and effortless dynamics that define both brands. It’s the kind of system that makes you forget the equipment and remember why you fell in love with music in the first place.

Volti Audio

Volti Audio will be in room 661 this year, and the New Vittora speakers will be cranking out the music all weekend. Want to have some fun? Want to feel like you’re on stage with the performers? Want to feel some goosebumps? Well, stop in and ask me to play a Mozart opera piece that will put a smile on your face.

Why not?

Here’s our room equipment list:
Capital Audiofest 2025
Room 661 Equipment List
Featuring Our Flagship Model Speaker, the New Vittora
Three-way, fully horn loaded, 105db sensitivity, power handling = 1/10^th of one watt to 100 watts. Finished in African Padauk with clear lacquer. $50,000/pr

Source:

WiiM Ultra with Teddy Pardo Audio external power supply, configured in bit-perfect mode as a dedicated music server, $945 –https://teddypardo.com

DAC:
Mojo Audio Mystique Z, $11,000 – https://www.mojo-audio.com/

Integrated Amplifier:
Cary Audio SLI-80, $5,495 – https://caryaudio.com/

Cables:
Triode Wire Labs – https://triodewirelabs.com/

Lone Mountain Audio

You are invited to join us for an exclusive demonstration of the ATC SCM20ASL 2-Way Stand-Mount Loudspeakers and the SCM40A Loudspeakers at Capital AudioFest 2025 in Exhibit Room #851.

This event marks the first Maryland showing of the award-winning ATC SCM20ASL, which has been highly praised in reviews and recognized with multiple awards for its exceptional performance and design.

Come experience ATC’s renowned precision and musicality firsthand. 

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

System I
ATC SCM20ASL – 2-way Stand-Mount Active Loudspeakers
($10,999 pr / $11,999 pr finish shown) 
ATC CDA2 Mk2 Pre-Amp/DAC/CD ($5,499)

Systems II
ATC SCM40A – Our most popular 3-way Active Loudspeakers ($13,999 pr)
ATC CDA2 Mk2 Pre-Amp/DAC/CD ($5,499)

2WA Group

Moon Audio

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news that’s been years in the making.

Today, we’re proud to introduce Saros Audio Systems—a new constellation in high-end audio, born from Moon Audio’s legacy of excellence and inspired by the celestial cycles that have guided us from the beginning.

Meet the Europa: Our Inaugural Masterpiece

The Europa Fully Differential Tube Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier represents everything we believe premium audio should be. Named after Jupiter’s most captivating moon, the Europa reveals the hidden depths in your music—those subtle currents and emotional layers that lesser amplifiers leave undiscovered.

What Makes the Europa Special:

• Fully Differential Tube Topology – A two-stage vacuum tube design that maintains perfect signal balance from input to drivers, delivering spatial depth and clarity that single-ended designs simply cannot match
• Handcrafted in North Carolina – Every Europa is meticulously assembled by skilled artisans in our Cary headquarters, ensuring each unit receives the focused attention only human hands can provide
• American Engineering Excellence – Premium components, thoughtful design, and a commitment to sonic purity that connects you to your music with unprecedented emotion and precision

The Europa will be available for $8495 on Friday, November 14th.

See It First at Capital Audio Fest

The Europa makes its debut at Capital Audio Fest next weekend. If you’re attending, we’d love to see you in Room 803 to experience it for yourself.

Can’t make the show? We’ll be sharing more details, specifications, and ordering information in the coming weeks.

This is just the beginning of the Saros Audio Systems journey, and we’re honored to have you with us as we explore these new musical territories together.

Where celestial precision meets earthbound musical passion.

PlanarBASS

PlanarBASS is going to CAF (at our expense) for the express purpose of introducing you to another company launching a new dipole subwoofer.  There are too few companies offering dipole woofers for panel speakers. Now, consumers have more choices. 

Ex Machina is launching the “Mira” dipole subwoofer which you can also hear at the Danville Signal room (702). You can’t miss us. Galina and I will be wearing our bright orange “We love Magnepan” T-shirts. We invite you to check out the “Mira” dipole subwoofer in the Danville room. The design is very impressive. 

Of course, we also want you to check out what Al Clark and Danville are showing this year at CAF.

Whether it is our PlanarBASS dipole woofer or a “competitor”, “Dipole with a Dipole™” is a better choice for panel speakers. 

planarbass.com

Dreamscapes AV & AV Room Service

Blink High End

THUONO – FINKTEAM – HIDIAMOND – AUDIO GROUP DENMARK – LINN – CREEK

Blink High End, dealership in Massachusetts and Matterhorn Audio Group, distributor, join forces to bring two systems with exciting premieres at the Capital Audio Fest 2025.

In a time when importing new European brands to the US seems risky, we believe we should continue making it possible for the American audio aficionado to listen to them in national tradeshows and at stores closer to home. We cordially invite you to visit us at Room Plaza I and Room 312.

Room Plaza 1
American premiere of the Thuono TH-400 turntable. [Retail $59,500][/caption]

Thuono Audio is an Italian high-end turntable manufacturer. Combining advanced technology with hyper-precise mechanics, each product is the result of meticulous research into shape and engineering, ensuring exceptional sonic performance.  The TH400 is the most performative turntable out of the TH series, developed with an imposing structure that includes a 400 mm diameter platter supported by a proportionally designed rotation system. Both elements of the chassis are composed of a thick layer of aluminum and Nero Marquinia marble, and supported by high precision magnetic suspensions. This turntable was designed to ensure exceptional sound performance. The unusual dimensions of the platter, frame and motor system allow an extraordinary inertial torque to be obtained, giving extreme dynamics levels and authority of sound.

The presentation of this turntable is complimented with a system with the highest-tier components by Audio Group Denmark:

• Børresen M3 loudspeakers [Retail: $294,000]
• Aavik R-880 phono stage [Retail: $73,500]
• Aavik 880 amplifiers/sources (C-880,P-880, SD-880) [Retail: $73,500/ea]
• Ansuz D-TC3 Gold Signature newest cables, accessories and Ansuz rack . [Retail > $500,000]

Our additional system includes the following:

• Børresen M1 [Retail $105,000]
• LINN Klimax DSM Organik [Retail: $48,230]
• LINN Solo 800s monoblocks [Retail: $51,190/ea]
• Ansuz cables and accessories

Room 312

FinkTeam from Germany is back in the US! We’ll showcase the highly anticipated Borg (Episode 2) [Retail $37,950]. Many audiophiles have inquired where to listen to these remarkable speakers in the country.

Now led by Norbert Theisges, FinkTeam continues to be the fusion of technical excellence, artisanal care, and genuine passion for music.

FinkTeam’s Borg (Episode 2) is two-way floor standing design featuring a 10.25 inch high-power mid/bass driver and an Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter and a fine tuning rear panel.

To combine the two drivers to achieve a flat frequency response and, more importantly, a slow even mid/HF roll off in the power response is a significant feat of engineering.

The Borg will be complimented with the newest components from the Scottish brand Linn:

• Linn Solo 500 amplifiers [Retail: $32,380/ea]
• LINN Klimax DSM Organik [Retail: $48,230]

and

• HiDiamond Top Gold cables (American premiere).
• Ansuz rack.

We will also showcase, at specific times, the Creek Audio 4040A and 4040 CD player [Retail: $1,580/ea].

Manufacturer links:

(*) Thuono Audio (Italy, turntables) https://thuonoaudio.com/en/
(*) FinkTeam (Germany, loudspeakers) https://www.finkteam.com/
(*) HiDiamond (Italy, cables) https://www.hidiamond.eu/eng/
(*) Creek Audio (UK, electronics) https://www.creekaudio.com
Audio Group Denmark (Denmark, speakers, cables, electronics) https://audiogroupdenmark.com
Linn (Scotland, amplifiers) https://linn.co.uk

GT Audio Works

Innovative Planar Magnetic Ribbon Loudspeakers

Brands
AnTek, Lampizator North America, Magnan Cables, Small Green Computer, Sonore Computer Audio, WestminsterLab