Capital Audiofest "CAF" 2018

dB Cooper · « **on:** 13 Sep 2018, 02:05 am »

Since there's a "Capital Audio Feast" thread already, I decided it was maybe not too soon to start a general CAF thread, so...

I actually wasn't going to go this year. Kind of tired of gawking at room after room of audio systems that cost as much, in some cases, as a college education. Nothing even resembling that is in my foreseeable future.

Then I found out Ohm Acoustics was coming. I have heard of their unique speakers for years but never experienced them "in the flesh". So I'm going to check them out, along with my usual 'lurk job' in the headphone pavilion. Might not go all three days, but I am going to go. May even make the "feast" this year.

etcarroll · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Sep 2018, 02:08 am »

I'm going after a few years absence, need new speakers.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Sep 2018, 02:10 am »

Possible "show sample" deal shopping?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Sep 2018, 01:55 pm »

I didn't go last year after several years of attending, I had a brand new grandson who was slightly more important than audio equipment. Now I'm not sure about this year either. I've been downsizing my system(s) in my retirement years and don't have anything I'm in the market for, so it would all be tire kicking.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Sep 2018, 03:23 am »

It's 110% tire kicking for me, especially right now, but I have always wanted to hear the Ohms. I'll stick my nose in the headphone space too, and hoping for some interesting presentations, but the schedule for those isn't posted yet.

mix4fix · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Sep 2018, 05:49 am »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 13 Sep 2018, 01:55 pm

I didn't go last year after several years of attending, I had a brand new grandson who was slightly more important than audio equipment. Now I'm not sure about this year either. I've been downsizing my system(s) in my retirement years and don't have anything I'm in the market for, so it would all be tire kicking.

Selling stuff?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Sep 2018, 01:11 pm »

Sold stuff. I might decide to move a couple of speakers, but everything else went already.

mix4fix · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Sep 2018, 05:01 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 15 Sep 2018, 01:11 pm

Sold stuff. I might decide to move a couple of speakers, but everything else went already.

What do you have?

Also, be sure you come to C.A.F.

mix4fix · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Sep 2018, 04:53 pm »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 15 Sep 2018, 03:23 am

It's 110% tire kicking for me, especially right now, but I have always wanted to hear the Ohms. I'll stick my nose in the headphone space too, and hoping for some interesting presentations, but the schedule for those isn't posted yet.

That's how it is for most of us "regulars". Window shop, buy small things like vinyl, and hang out with one-another.

But, even though we are exhausted by Sunday, I can't wait for next year.

mix4fix · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Sep 2018, 06:32 pm »

Less than 40 days away.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Sep 2018, 03:01 am »

Finally getting to hear the Ohms after hearing about them for 20+ years. Hope they don't suck

dB Cooper · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Oct 2018, 12:18 am »

No dedicated headphone space this year? No mention of any on the website nor any indication of such on the floor plans.

mix4fix · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Oct 2018, 12:30 am »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 22 Oct 2018, 12:18 am

No dedicated headphone space this year? No mention of any on the website nor any indication of such on the floor plans.

Nor the seminars.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Oct 2018, 02:26 am »

I hope they're not giving the seminars up (why would they?); I've really enjoyed those at the last couple shows. Perhaps the website is just lagging but... the show is less than 2 weeks away and no mention there.

I think reducing the headphone exposure would be a mistake. That segment of the audio market is growing far faster than the segment that is wiling to consider $60-$100K audio systems. If the audio hobby is to grow, this is likely to be the point of entry.

mix4fix · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Oct 2018, 03:03 am »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 22 Oct 2018, 02:26 am

I hope they're not giving the seminars up (why would they?); I've really enjoyed those at the last couple shows. Perhaps the website is just lagging but... the show is less than 2 weeks away and no mention there.

I think reducing the headphone exposure would be a mistake. That segment of the audio market is growing far faster than the segment that is wiling to consider $60-$100K audio systems. If the audio hobby is to grow, this is likely to be the point of entry.

That hearing lady has been showing up lately.

VPI will install a tone-arm.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Oct 2018, 01:33 pm »

The 'hearing lady' did impressions for me for custom tips a couple years ago.

Paul Elliott here is associated with the show IIRC; maybe he can shed some light on these questions.

mix4fix · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 04:15 pm »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 22 Oct 2018, 01:33 pm

The 'hearing lady' did impressions for me for custom tips a couple years ago.

Paul Elliott here is associated with the show IIRC; maybe he can shed some light on these questions.

He's not working with Gary anymore.

I sat through one of her seminars. I watch VPI assemble a tone-arm. I listen to Klaus talk.

mix4fix · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 04:42 pm »

Friday, Nov 2nd
10:00 AM Show Opens

10:00-11:30 AM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Show Demonstration of the R3s

11:45-2:30 PM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Show Demonstration of the R5s

12:00 – 12:45 PM Washington Theater: Charles Kirmuss, Kirmuss Aduio – Vinyl cleaning and preservation

2:00 – 6:00 PM Hotel Lobby: Local Distillery Tastings

2:45-4:45 PM Room 554: Ref 1s

3:00 PM Washington Theater: Shayne Tenace, Tenacious Sound and David Solomon, Qobuz – “Who’s in Control? How modern technology can make music social again”

4:00 PM Washington Theater: Michal Jurewicz, Mytek Digital – “Mastering and production of MQA and DSD high res files – the view from backstage”

5:00-6:00 PM Room 554: Unveiling of KEF’s newest speaker

6:00 PM Show Closes

----------

Saturday, Nov 3rd
10:00 AM Show Opens

10:00-11:30 AM Room 554: Ref 1s

10:15-11:00 AM Washington Theater: Greg Viggiano, DC HiFi Group – “Best Practices for Cleaning Vinyl Records”

11:30-12:45 PM Washington Theater: Mat & Harry Weisfeld, VPI – “Turntable & tonearm set up, cartridge mounting, VTF, VTA, Azimuth, and more”

11:45-1:30 PM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Show Demonstration of the R3s

1:00-2:00 PM Washington theater: Rob Robinson, Channel D – “What is a ‘Current Mode’ Phono preamplifier? Understanding phono cartridge electrical specification”

1:45-3:00 PM Room 554: Unveiling of KEF’s newest speaker

2:00-3:30 PM Washington Theater: “Virtues of Vintage” – Art Dudley moderates a panel discussion with experts: Lenny Florentine of Just Audio, Early Bender of HiFiTown.com, Joe Roberts of Sound Practices Magazine, and Blackie Pagano

2:00-6:00 PM Hotel Lobby: Local Distillery Tastings

3:15-6:00 PM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Demonstration of the R5s

4:00-5:00 PM Washington Theater – “Talking Heads: Start Making Sense of Hi-Fi’s Past, Present & Future” One-on-one discussion between David Blumenstein of Dagogo and Eric Franklin Shook of Part-Time Audiophile

6:00 PM Show Closes

--------

Sunday, Nov 4th
10:00 AM Show Opens

10:00-11:30 AM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Show Demonstration of the R3s

11:00-11:45 AM Washington Theater: Kirmuss Audio – “Vinyl Cleaning, Restoration and Preservation”

11:45-2:45 PM Room 554: First East Coast Consumer Show Demonstration of the R5s

1:00-2:00 PM Washington Theater: Matthew Barton, Library of Congress – “tour de Formats: How do you play this stuff?”

3:00-4:00 PM Room 554: Unveiling of KEF’s newest speaker

4:00 PM Close

rodge827 · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 05:02 pm »

Hoping to be there on Sat in the Charney Audio room 530.

Chris

bluemeanies · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Oct 2018, 05:05 pm »

SALK speakers will also be represented. A fine speaker and a good value.