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.

Dynaudio

We at Dynaudio would like to take a moment to invite you to visit us in the DC Area Audiophiles & High End Home Theater Enthusiasts suite in the Library room of the Hilton Rockville If you will be attending the 2025 Capital Audio Fest this weekend.

Dynaudio will be joining our local dealer JS Audio to support the group, and we will be demonstrating the EISA-award winning new Confidence 20A active loudspeakers in the Library room.

Otto Jorgensen, Head of Dynaudio Academy, will be on hand from Denmark, as will John Quick and Mike Manousselis from Dynaudio North America.

Audience

Audience to Showcase Its New Bellare Loudspeaker
Featuring Proprietary TimeWave Full-Range Drivers at Capital Audiofest 2025

San Marcos, California, November 11, 2025 – Marking one of the most significant product introductions in the company’s history, Audience will demonstrate its extraordinary new Bellare loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2025. As stunning in appearance as it is to listen to, the Bellare full-range speaker incorporates a number of proprietary technologies including the company’s full-range TimeWave drivers to deliver a never-before-achievable level of musical realism.

The Bellare (Italian/Latin for “beautiful”) will be featured at Capital Audiofest at the Hilton Hotel Rockville, Rockville, Maryland (November 14 – 16, 2025). It will be demonstrated as part of a complete high-end system including the all-new Audience Panzerholz Pz6 equipment rack, and Audience cables and power conditioners (see complete equipment list at the end of this press release).

At the heart of Bellare’s extraordinary performance is its use of Audience’s multiple identical TimeWave 3-inch wideband, ultra-high-resolution drivers that cover the entire frequency spectrum from 120 Hz through the midrange and treble – eliminating the need for a crossover or the need for different types of drivers for the midrange and high frequencies. This results in remarkable sonic coherence, tonal purity, and imaging, with excellent dispersion. There are no phase anomalies, discontinuities in frequency range, or disruptive changes in radiation pattern.

The bass below 120 Hz is handled by Bellare’s built-in 300-watt active bass module with DSP that offers remote control of its volume, and automatic room correction. The inclusion of this built-in bass unit enable Bellare to be used with even lower-powered amplifiers such as Class A or single-ended tube amplifiers, since they are only driving the midrange and high frequencies.

The result is a loudspeaker that offers a seamless, natural musical presentation with remarkable spaciousness, presence, dynamic impact and tonal truthfulness. The Bellare achieves a level of sonic realism undreamed of until now. It is one of the finest loudspeakers ever produced by Audience – or anyone.

The Audience Bellare loudspeaker will be available in March 2026 at a suggested US retail price of $36,000 per pair in monopole and $39,000 per pair in optional bi-pole configuration.

Key Audience Bellare Loudspeaker Features:

• Identical TimeWave ultra-high-resolution 3-inch drivers provide seamless performance above 120 Hz
• Wired throughout with proprietary Audience 6N OCC copper wire with Audience Auricap XOPUREHVP capacitors
• Crossover-less design (above 120 Hz) preserves coherence, phase integrity, tonal purity and an ideal radiation pattern
• Built-in 300-watt bass module powers the woofer and mid-woofer
• DSP offers remote control of its volume, and active room correction
• Frequency response: -3 dB at 28 Hz and 22 kHz
• Output: 105 dB continuous without driver compression
• Smooth impedance with minimal phase shift for effortless amplifier control
• 88 dB sensitivity. Very easy to drive thanks to its well-behaved impedance curve and integrated bass augmentation system
• Nominal impedance of 9.5 ohms and does not drop below 8.5 ohms
• Exceptionally smooth phase response
• Includes eight Stillpoints Ultra I S isolation footers

Components to be Used in the Capital Audiofest Demonstration System:

• Audience ClairAudient Bellare Loudspeakers ($36,000/pair)
• Audience Panzerholz Pz 6 equipment rack ($24,000)
• Atma-sphere MP-1 vacuum tube balanced line stage ($7,850)
• Atma-sphere Class D monoblock amplifiers ($6,100/pair)
• Exemplar Audio eXpression DUAL ES9028PRO DAC with outboard power supply ($5,500)
• SONY UBPX-1100ES disc player ($700)
• SOTA Sapphire VII turntable($6,050)
• Origin Live Enterprise tonearm ($6,860)
• London Decca Super Gold Type II cartridge($2,895)
• Herron Audio VTPH-2A phono stage ($3,650)
• Audience Adept Response aR6-T4 6-outlet reference power conditioner ($6,900) with optional FrontRow Reserve HP powerChord ($7,600)
• Audience Forte V8 8-outlet power strip w/Forte F3 power cord ($980)
• Full loom of Audience frontRow Reserve interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords

Forte Distribution

Forte Distribution to Preview New Shanling SACD Player at Capital Audiofest 2025

Eversolo, Shanling, and ONIX Models to Be Featured in the Forte Distribution CAF ’25 Exhibit

What:          Forte Distribution, a leading distributor of audio products in the United States, will preview a next-generation Shanling SCD3.3 top-loading tube R2R CD SACD player.

The SCD3.3, scheduled for release in the U.S. before the end of the month, features R2R DAC technology with a 12AT7 tube output stage for an unmatched listening experience that offers the best of both digital precision and analog performance.

In addition, Forte Distribution’s display in Room 621 of the Hilton Rockville will include a huge collection of stellar performers from the distributor’s esteemed lineup of vendors, including:

· Eversolo T8 streaming transport

· Eversolo DAC-Z10 DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier

· Shanling ECZero AKM portable CD player

· Shanling ET3 CD transport

· ONIX XST20 SACD transport

And much, much more.

Devialet

Come experience Devialet’ s most advanced integrated system, built around the Astra integrated amplifier in dual-mono configuration. This curated demonstration pairs the hand-crafted Astra with the color-matched YG Acoustics Carmel Devialet Edition and the new Phantom Ultimate 108dB speakers showcasing the synergy of world-class engineering, precision, and musicality.

Engineered and made in Paris, Devialet amplifiers are renowned for their accuracy, innovation, and attention to design. If you haven’t already, you’ll discover how artisanal craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology come together to deliver extraordinary musical immersion.

In addition to the Astra and Phantom Ultimate speakers, Devialet makes high performance soundbars, luxury portable speakers and refined earbuds. each designed to bring the brand’s signature clarity and impact to every listening environment.

Featured System:

• Devialet Astra Dual-Mono ($20,000 Light Bronze / $25,000 for Opéra De Paris)
• Phantom Ultimate — Stereo Pair ($3,800 each – Deep Forest or Light Pearl)
• YG Acoustics Carmel Devialet Edition (Light Bronze)
• Thales TTT-Compact II Turntable
• Shunyata Research Cabling
• IsoAcoustics Isolation

Where: Hilton Rockville, Rockville MD, Suite 641

United Home Audio

UHA “APOLLO-EVO” TAPE DECK The Absolute Sound, “Product Of The Year Award” 2025 winner, the UHA Apollo Tape Deck gets a special update. An all new tape head, exclusive to UHA the new UHA-EVO Tape Head. A tape head, like a phono cartridge is extremely important to the sound quality! Designing and building an all new tape head is a big undertaking, it requires much thought regarding both internal and external metals, output, impendence, coil geometry and of course a meticulous manufacturing process. This is the second generation all new UHA proprietary tape head. Newly designed with the best materials and engineering innovations of any tape head. New materials available in 2025 were not available back in the day, not to mention the precision manufacturing processes now available. It has been over a year of work but UHA has leveraged all this into a completely new take on reading magnetic tape.You will want to check out the new Apollo-EVO Tape Deck!

Synergystic Research

Synergystig Research is bringing only the most consequential and advanced technology in our 33-year history. It’s called Atmosphere LogiQ. Essentially, we have been heralded in the age of intention driven Audio. It’s an acoustic field generator not in the signal path, it determines what track is playing looks at the metadata and adjust its broadcast with over 1 trillion broadcast potentials, we used AI to crack the code And now every recording and your room sounds exactly like what you’re listening to. Then, when you’re listening through your own intention, you can tell the app I like her voice, but it’s a little harsh. Can you make her voice sweeter? It’s sweeter. You can state that the Sound Stage is too forward, push it back, and the Sound Stage gets deeper. Wider Sound Stage? Your wish is atmospheric logic command. Anything you can think, you communicate in plain English without memorizing prompts, it interprets what you want, and adjusts the field to give it to you. It’s like something from a near future science fiction novel, think black mirror.

MC Audiotech

MC AudiotechLoudspeakersTL-8 Loudspeakers
Heaven 11Electronics Billie MK3 Amplifier
We look forward to your visit our room to hear the exciting combination of theTL-8 With the MC AUDIOTECH Proprietary Line Source Bending Wave Drivers and the Unique HEAVEN 11 multi function Amplifier

Now Listen Here

Now Listen Here—a dealer in Harrisburg, PA—will be exhibiting once again at Capital Audiofest this week at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel with two rooms on the main level of the hotel. See the complete system details and pricing at the link below:

We will be premiering the following new products and showing several more that have very recently been released:

Premieres

• Backert Labs Optik Phono 1.1 (two-input, tube phono preamp/energizer for DS Audio optical cartridges): $11,500
• imersiv D-1 DAC: $12,000
• Innuos STREAM3: $8,000
• Acora Acoustics MRC-3 speakers in a new exotic marble finish: $15,990 (standard finishes) / $23,490 (exotic finish)

Recently Released:

• Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC: $26,900
• DS Audio W3 Mono cartridge: $5,500
• Vandersteen Quatro CT Evo speakers: $23,900

Below are a few details to highlight:

Backert Labs Optik Phono 1.1 ($11,500)

To my knowledge this is the first DS Audio-compatible phono preamp/energizer to support TWO optical cartridges. This is Backert Labs’ first DS Audio phono stage. To showcase the two cartridge inputs we have a VPI Avenger Direct with two tonearms, one with a DS Audio W3 cartridge ($5,500) and the other with a W3 Mono cartridge ($5,500). Bring your mono records!

imersiv D-1 DAC ($12,000)
Imersiv is a new brand from the pro audio company Millenia Media. This DAC has been in development for the past decade and has resulted in three patents. There is truly ground-breaking technology here which results in an unprecedented 170 dB of dynamic range—that’s 28 bits of actual resolution. This is a 100X improvement in dynamic range compared to the previously best available (~140 dB). The technology is called HDR-A multi-path audio, which is thus named due to its conceptual similarity to the way that HDR photography works. None of this would matter, of course, if the DAC didn’t sound fantastic…and it does. The imersiv D-1 is incredibly natural and resolving but without being clinical. To my ears this is the new benchmark for DACs under $20k.

Innuos STREAM3 ($8,000)
The STREAM3 is the top model in Innuos’ entry STREAM series. The entry STREAM1 was the best sounding streamer/server I’ve heard under $10k…until the STREAM3 came out. Both models offer incredible performance for the price. This new generation of product has a modular architecture that allows you to specify your digital output interface (or select one of two performance levels of internal DAC) and optionally add internal storage for music (which also lets you use it as a Roon Core server). Storage can be added or upgraded in the future by the end-user. The available digital output boards are SPDIF (AES/EBU, coax, and TOSLINK), PhoenixUSB with reclocker, i2S, and soon, MSB Pro ISL.

Acora Acoustics MRC-3 in new exotic marble finish ($23,490)

This is a new marble finish option from Acora called Lilac Marble. The stone is white with some soft, purple veining. We have a surprise with these speakers that I’m sure you’ll find illuminating, so be sure to stop by and grab some photos. This finish is priced as an exotic—like their Eramosa finish—so the cost is higher than the standard finishes ($15,990) or the premium finishes ($19,490). Regardless of finish, the MRC line of speakers deliver staggering performance at their price point.

Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC ($26,900)

The Wavedream Reference Signature DAC from Romania’s Rockna should have the established high-end DAC manufacturers more than a little concerned. Sure, there’s only one chassis and it doesn’t weigh 100 pounds, but you’d never know it from the sound. This completely bespoke DAC utilizes an FPGA for each of its four hybrid ladder DAC modules. Perhaps most impressive, at least to me, is how good the Ethernet input (i.e. built-in streamer) sounds. It is far from an afterthought and outperforms many excellent dedicated streamers.

Vandersteen Quatro CT Evo ($23,900)

This latest iteration of the Quatro refines a successful formula and, more importantly, opens the doors to a wider range of users. As before, the Quatro CT Evo packs dual 8″ woofers that are powered by a 250 W internal amp with, crucially, an 11-band analog EQ that allows you to tune the bass for more even in-room bass response. The woofers are now side-firing in an opposing arrangement that Vandersteen calls Counterforce, which significantly reduces cabinet vibrations. This has a clarifying effect not just on the bass but up through the entire audible ​band. In the past line-level external crossovers were required between the amp and preamp, but with the Quatro CT Evo those crossovers are now built into the speakers. This opens the doors to customers with integrated amplifiers which previously was an impossibly.

SVS

SVS Doubles up on the Sound R|Evolution Experience for Capital Audiofest 2025

The Ohio audio brand invites attendees to experience convincing two-channel music, head-turning Dolby Atmos, and heart-pounding subwoofer bass demos featuring SVS Ultra Evolution Speakers, 5000 R|Evolution subwoofers, and amplification from Orchard Audio and Hegel.

Capital Audiofest 2025 – Rockville, MD – Hilton Rockville – Rooms 626 & 628 – SVS, a leading manufacturer of high-performance home audio, is bringing its signature energy and passion for sound to Capital Audiofest 2025, one of North America’s premier gatherings for audio enthusiasts. The company will host two demo rooms highlighting the artistry and technology behind the Ultra Evolution speaker series and the 5000 R|Evolution subwoofers, featuring an eclectic mix of cinematic and musical content.

Room 626 – Two-Channel HiFi Experience

For Hi-Fi purist listeners, SVS will feature a two-channel audiophile system centered around its flagship Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers, driven by the highly acclaimed Hegel H400 Integrated Amplifier and connected with SVS SoundPath Ultra Speaker Cables.

Highlighting the transparency, imaging, and dynamic impact of SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle towers in a stereo array, this system shows why it’s earned a place among the world’s most accomplished loudspeakers— while positioned as one of the most attainable contenders. SVS will stream from Qobuz and encourages attendees to make song requests.

System Configuration:

• 2 x Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Speaker – $4,999.98 pair
• Hegel H400 Integrated Amplifier – $7,700
• SVS SoundPath Ultra Speaker Cable (12 feet) – $54.99 each

Room 628 – Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio Music and Home Theater Experience

From Mission Impossible to Rocket Man, the 5.2.4 SVS Ultra Evolution speaker system showcases the depth, precision, and emotional impact that define SVS’s approach to audio—revealing every nuance of film soundtracks and Dolby Atmos/spatial audio music with convincing realism. A curated playlist of cinematic and musical demos will highlight advancements in low-frequency playback with the sealed SB-5000 subwoofers and in object-based surround sound with the Ultra Evolution Elevation speakers, adding height effects.

SVS is joining forces with Orchard Audio, a New Jersey-based manufacturer renowned for its GaN-based Starkrimson amplifiers, to present a breathtaking multi-channel audio experience aimed at suspending listeners’ sense of disbelief.

The front three speakers will be powered by Orchard Audio’s Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium amplifiers, while the surround channels will be driven by Starkrimson 25 Mono Premium amplifiers, both leveraging the company’s state-of-the-art GaN technology and proprietary dual-feedback fully balanced design. More info about Orchard Audio’s GaN implementation.

System Configuration:

• 2 × Ultra Evolution Tower (Black Gloss) – $2,999.98 pair
• 1 × Ultra Evolution Center (Black Gloss) – $799.99
• 2 × Ultra Evolution Nano (Black Gloss) – $899.98 pair
• 4 × Ultra Evolution Elevation (White Gloss) – $449.99 each
• 2 × SB-5000 R|Evolution Subwoofers (Black Gloss) – $1,799.99 each
• 3 x Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium Amplifier – $2,600 each
• 4 x Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono Premium Amplifier – $1,250 each

“The SVS experience at Capital Audiofest is about connecting people with their passion for great sound, whether it’s home theater, 2-channel music, or emerging formats, like Dolby Atmos and spatial audio,” said Gary Yacoubian, SVS President. “We’re also proving that high-end audio isn’t just for the few. That’s what drives SVS, and it’s what makes sharing experiences like this in person so rewarding.”
First launched in 2010 as a modest weekend gathering of audio enthusiasts, Capital Audiofest has grown into one of North America’s most respected hi-fi festivals. Under the direction of founder Gary Gill, the event has expanded to well over 100 listening rooms, hundreds of brands, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

Attendees can expect a mix of full-scale audio systems, product launches, vinyl-record vendor bins, live music performances, technical seminars, and casual strolls through the exhibits with friends and fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re a dedicated audiophile or simply curious about the latest in sound, Capital Audiofest offers an immersive, hands-on way to experience how far home audio can go.

For more information, please visit www.svsound.com  or follow SVS on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, or X(Twitter).

About SVS

Headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, SVS delivers thrilling and immersive sound, unmatched performance for the price, and world-class ownership experience. Product categories include acclaimed subwoofers, speakers, wireless audio, cables, and accessories. SVS engages customers worldwide through direct and retail channels with expert support seven-days-a-week via phone, web, social media, chat, email, in forums and wherever people want to connect.

Command Performance AV – Gryphon

COMMAND PERFORMANCE RETURNS TO CAPITAL AUDIOFEST WITH
MANY US PREMIERS
–Command Performance Hosts Three Rooms of Multi-Award-Winning Products, Including
US Many US Premiers–
Rockville, MD—November 14, 2025: Command Performance of Falls Church, VA, renowned as one of
America’s finest Audio Salons, returns to the Capital Audiofest for 2025. This year, Command Performance
will host three rooms.

In the Democracy Room, Command Performance will host the North American show premiere of the
Gryphon Antileon Revelation, Gryphon’s highly anticipated successor to Antileon EVO amplifier. Honoring
the 30th year of the Antileon marque and the 40th Anniversary of Gryphon ApS, Revelation is the finest
Amplifier ever to carry the Antileon name. At $49,800, the Stereo version of the Antileon boasts 165 WPC
of pure Class A power. The Antileon will be accompanied by the Gryphon’s Essence Preamplifier ($21,500)
and PowerZone 3.10 Power Optimizer ($15,700). Another US show premier will be Aurender’s new top-of-
the-line Aurender N50 Music Server ($38,500) playing into The Absolute Sounds 2025 Golden Ear winning
Berkeley Audio Design Apha DAC Reference 3P ($34,000) and Reference USB ($5,995). For Analog,
Command Performance will feature the 2025 Stereophile Analog Product of the Year, the J.Sikora’s
Standard MAX SUPREME Turntable ($40,785). KV MAX 12” Tonearm ($15,680) and Aidas’ Violet Gold
Cartridge LE ($7,535) played through the incredible Doshi Audio Evo Phono Preamp ($23,995). Playback
will be through the Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Loudspeakers ($120,000/pair) that combine diamond,
ceramic, and aluminum sandwich drivers with Jorma’s Statement cable to deliver reference-level
performance in a room friendly-sized speaker. Cabling will be from Transparent Audio’s Connoisseur-Level
XL and Opus series. Together, this will certainly be one of the most impressive and talked-about systems at
CAF. Jeff Fox has planned some fantastic events and surprise guests for this show, so please check with us
at the Democracy Room for the latest news.
In Room 305, Command Performance will have two more US show premiers. The first will be the much-
anticipated J.Sikora ASPIRE Turntable and ASPIRE CV 9 Carbon Fiber Tonearm (packaged together for
$10,595) playing with an Aidas Stereophile Class A rated Malachite Silver MC cartridge ($7,295). The
second premier will be the Innuos Stream3 Music Streamer with its optional Pheonix DAC board ($12,600).
The other electronics for this room will be from Virginia’s own Doshi Audio. Nick Doshi will be showing his
Evo Line Stage ($23,995) , Evo Phono Preamp ($23,995), and Evo Stereo Amp ($25,995). The speakers for
this room will be Jeff Joseph’s Pulsar2 Graphene Speakers ($9,999). Cabling will be from Cardas Audio’s
Clear series. Whenever Nick Doshi and Jeff Joseph share a room, you can bet on astounding sound.
In Room 837, to help commemorate Luxman Audio 100th Anniversary, Command Performance will be
highlighting what it considers the sweet spot of Luxman electronics. The amplifier will be the 110 WPC L-
507Z Integrated Amplifier ($10,495). For source components, we will be showing the Luxman NT-07
Network Transport / Streamer ($8,995) feeding the Luxman DA-07X DAC ($8,995). The Luxman gear will be
playing through Martin Audio’s Oscar Duo speakers ($11,000). While the Oscar Duo is Marten’s entry level
speaker, the Duo produces a sound that bests many more expensive speakers. Cabling is from Wireworld.
Florida based Wireworld’s award-winning cables feature their proprietary DNA HELIX technology

About Command Performance AV: Founded in 2007 by Jeff Fox, Command Performance is one of America’s premiere High End Audio Salons. Famous for their friendly, low-pressure service, Jeff and his team feature the world’s bestproducts, including Gryphon, J. Sikora, MSB, Innuos, HRS, Marten, Magico, DeVore Fidelity, WADAX and many others.
For more information, please contact Jeffrey Fox jeff@commandav.com

Ginko Audio

Gingko Audio will present the MooVu Speaker Kit at Booth H3 and in Room 706 at 2025 CAF.

The MooVu is the first DIY speaker kit than can be assembled with just a drill and a screwdriver, without soldering, in less than 4 hours.  The total price, including pre-finished cabinets delivered from Iwsitao, shipping and tariff, is about $800.
It is an excellent market option for young, aspiring audiophiles to get into the hobby without a large investment.
Read the review by Michael Zisserson of Positive Feedback Online here:

See you at CAF.
Vinh Vu

Gingko Audio

Arion Audio

We are delighted to invite you to visit Arion Audio at the Plaza 3 Ballroom again this year. We have an exciting audio system for your enjoyment. Details on the full system, along with links to the supporting manufacturers, are available here if you’d like to take a look in advance (Please follow the link below). If you’re already planning your listening path please add us to your list. 

Link to equipment lineup  https://arionaudio.com/caf-2025/

Please join us in Plaza III and take a tour of our innovative speaker system. We will expound on our advanced composite cabinet technology, extended range drivers and use of digital crossovers with advanced room correction.

Get to know us. Please follow the link to  https://arionaudio.com/get-to-know-us/

Profile of Mike Kalellis & Arion Audio

The equipment lineup includes:

Arion Audio – Apollo 12 Loudspeaker System (Gen-2)

Arion Audio – Dual-Pack Woofer Package

Arion Audio – Master Racks

Chang Lightspeed – AC Power filter

Aric Audio – Super 6SN7 Fully Balanced Line-stage

Aric Audio – ALPHA II PP 300B Mono Power Amplifiers

VPI Industries, Inc. – Avenger Direct and Phono-stage

JPS Labs – Cable Loom

Aurender N20 Music Server

EMM Labs – Reference DA2i DAC and TXi Transport

IsoAcoustics

Ray Tubes 300B

We look forward to seeing you in the Plaza 3 Ballroom at the show!