The Hidden Gem at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023!
Good Morning Fellow Audiophiles!
I just spent two "action packed days" at Capital Audio Fest (CAF) 2023.
I heard a number of very find sounding systems, including amazing musical reproduction from such well known names as Borresen, Acora, and Kharma. Also in the "price no object" category, the Cessaro Wagners were absolutely stunning, and earned my "Best of Show Award".
However, while I truly enjoyed all of the great sound, THE HIGHLIGHT of the show for me was a name you probably DON'T know, designed by a very nice young man who I think just might have a very bright future
The product was the Endow Audio Bravura 7.2, and at $6,900 it offered a glimpse of what I heard with the $65K Cessaros at 10% of the price. What's more it did so while driven by very modest electronics from Black ice. I'm not an engineer, but the unique design, with 9 x 1.5" midrange drivers arranged in an arc at the rear of the 3D printed horn sitting atop the otherwise conventional appearing bookshelf cabinet conferred an amazing immediacy, truth and penetration of timbre and tonal color, and nothing short of stunning image solidity and soundstage size.
The company offers a 30 day in home trial risk free. t took photos and will also try to post them.
www.EndowAudio.com To clarify, I have NO RELATIONSHIP WHATSOEVER with any aspect of Endow Audio.
BH
Which leads to the question: how many here have actually committed and bought products say in excess of $10K at one of these shows? Was a show special discount offered? I will fess up, personally I have never spent more than $1k at these shows, though I usually do end up with a handful of things I hear added to my would-consider buying list.
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I might not qualify since it was less than 10k. But after hearing the Von Schweikert VR4 Silvers at HiFi 96 in NYC I ordered a pair. I had already auditioned them at a dealer but hearing the Silver version at the show pushed me over the edge. I did not receive a “show discount”. As a matter of fact, I paid the full retail price of 4450.00. Not expensive, but not cheap for almost 30 yrs ago. |
@ozzy62 well you got me beat. I heard and bought a Chord Mojo portable DAC that I still use a few years back. Got a fair discount. I heard Vanatoo speakers at CAF and bought a pair on Amazon not too long after. I used my Amazon card and got something back on that. I bought a $20 45 RPM adaptor for my turntable once and I almost always come back with some new records or CDs. I always hear lots of nice sounding and looking stuff some of which I would consider buying if the need comes up.
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Another thing I wonder is any of the vendors ever offer zero interest loans or if anyone would even do that? I had to buy a new TV recently and if I can’t pay cash I usually shoot for an interest free loan I can make payments on and not be charged interest if paid in time. Most high ticket price mainstream vendors these days seem to offer that. Why not high end audio vendors? Just a thought. In most cases people are better off not buying luxury items they cannot pay for up front. |
