Gestalt Audio
Wolf von Langa Son speakers, $22K, SW1X Amp IV Special amplifier, $20.5K, SW1X PRE III Classic preamplifier, $28K, SW1X LPU IV Special, $30.3K, SW1X SUT II, $9048, TW-Acustic Raven GT2, $12.5K, TW-Acustic Raven 10.5, $6000, Fuuga cartridge, $11K
One of two rooms at this year's CAF show showcasing field coil speakers.
Gershman Acoustics
Symphoria speakers, $70K, VAC Master 300 Mk2 monoblock amplifiers, $88K, VAC Master preamplifier, $30k, Lampizator Aphrodite tube DAC, $105K, Lampizator Gulf Stream music server, $8500, Cardas Audio Clear Beyond cables
There were several new products of note in the Gershman Acoustics room including their 2-way design Symphoria speakers and Lampizator's Aphrodite tube DAC. The Symphorias incorporate IsoAcoustics isolators to isolate the midrange and tweeter enclosures from the bass enclosure; in addition, the speakers employ Gershman's patented, dual bass trap. The one box, no feedback, no op amps, no volume control design hosting an army of tubes Aphrodite DAC is a continued evolution, though radical of the Lampizator Horizon 360 project. Warm and inviting, no artificiality, perfectly described this room's sonic characteristics!
Grandinote
Grandinote Mach 8 Evoluzione speakers, $128K, Grandinote Solo Class A integrated amplifier, $30K, Kimber Kables
Grandinote assembled an interesting sounding system last year and brought along their new Mach 8 Evoluzione speakers featuring their latest carbon fiber monocoque design enclosures this year. (Though sans analog source this year.) The system this year sounded very clean and detailed and the small NBA guard height speakers gave surprisingly good results in a small room. The Evoluzione speakers definitely need to be heard in room that befits their size.
GT Audio Works
GT Audio Works Giulietta Bellissima planar ribbon speakers plus active OB subs, $49K, Westminster Lab REI class A monoblock amplifiers, $37,900, Trafomatic Audio Tara 30a balanced single-ended preamplifier, $80K, Small Green Computer sonic transporter, $4000, Sonore Signature Rendue SE Deluxe music streamer, $5350, Lampizator Genya DAC, $19K, Magnan Audio cables
Greg Takesh, chief cook and bottle washer at GT Audio Works, returned after a two-year hiatus to Capital Audiofest with his new Giulietta Bellissima planar ribbon speakers (named for his late wife) plus active OB subs. And what a spectacular debut! Bringing a dipole speaker to a show and expecting good sound is more often than not an exercise in futility; but Greg made it work in a smaller room with his adjustable active subs. The system was very transparent sounding with great resolution, attack and tight bass. Such as what you expect from a well set up pair of planar dynamic speakers. This was also the best I've heard the Westminster Lab amplifiers sound at a show!
