Capitol Audio Fest

LarryI, your comment about the Burwell and Sons "Mother of Burl" speakers really surprised me.  Maybe they changed something over the course of the show, but on Friday afternoon when I stopped by their room the sound was just plain awful, I mean ear bleeding painful.  I left the room within 5 minutes out of fear of damaging my ears.  To me that was a prime example of how horn speakers can turn off many listeners.  Maybe they got better over the course of the show but my experience Friday did not encourage a repeat visit.

There were a number of other rooms that did not appeal to me for one reason or another including Classic Audio, Daedalus, Volti, Tidal, and VAC/Von Schweikert, but nothing bothered me like the Burwell and Sons room. 

On a more positive note, some other speakers I did enjoy include TAD Evolution One, German Physiks and Harbeth 30.2.  As I look over the exhibitor list, there were many rooms that I seem to have missed so I don't mean to imply anything good or bad by omitting others mentioned in this thread.

I hit Classic audio room Saturday afternoon. They were playing a R2R of Tull Thick As a Brick I believe. The sound was very bright for some reason. Was hard to listen. Something was off I’m guessing in that I’ve heard their rooms at CAF several times including same room last year and this was first time I was not impressed.

Burwell speakers were gorgeous but I was more impressed by that than the sound.

Zu room also seemed to have a problem on Saturday afternoon. The large room was empty (also very cold) and sound was a disaster IMHO. Zu has never totally floated my boat in past years even in much smaller rooms. This one was larger and I think they were still running off similar flea powered but pricey amps. Sounded like a poorly done PA system this time around. Too bad because I like the Zu look but the sound has yet to grab me. The large circular shaped room was surely a factor.   I'd stay out of there unless I had a chance to prep well in advance!

I liked the sound of the Harbeths, something I could live with, and the looks, but not so much the price. Lots of competition there.

When it comes to speaker appearances, the Auditorium 23 gets a gold star for sure.  The cabinet was made of solid walnut with superb joinery and the vertical walnut strips on the front looked really nice.

@larryi  I hear you on room conditions which I should have factored in a bit more. And a custom Deja Vu horn-speaker would  be of interest to me if the boss approved. Sorry I missed Charney and DC DYI would have loved to hear more horns. I agree with @mapman  I thought Classic Audio was better last year though I didn't find it bright, I heard Louis Armstrong "St James Infirmary" a song I totally love. The sound was a bit stuck to the speakers but otherwise captivating. And Charles I wish I had caught Tekton there is so much hype would have loved to check it out and report back. Next year for sure!

I have heard DejaVu's vintage systems in the past, and they always sound good. (They were also some of the largest speakers at the show - certainly in terms of footprint.) These seem to be Vu's true passion. A visit to DejaVu audio is always a treat, but sometimes an obstacle course of vintage components.

I also like the Robyatt with the single Quad 57s. 

The Voltis were being driven by Border Patrol electronics, all of which use 300b tubes.

I also agree about the Classic Audio room - very bright, especially compared to previous years, and hard to tolerate. Not sure why. They were being driven by Atmosphere amplifiers.

My only issue with the Auditorium-23 Hommage 755 speakers was that they were in a very small room. (As were the Rhethms.) I left wondering how they would sound in a large space similar to my home. But the sound was rich and full,and  the speakers were elegant; it was a combination that I could easily live with.