2011 2nd Annual - Capital Audiofest - July 8-10 - Washington, DC(Rockville, MD)

[dorokusai]

2011 CAPITAL AUDIOFEST

JULY 8-10, 2011

Crowne Plaza Hotel
3 Research Court
Rockville, Maryland 20850-3212
301.840.0200

Well, it's that time of year again and an idea of a friend of mine has turned into a 2nd Annual, national audio event. Gary Gill is the organizer and host, along with the Carnegie Acoustics. I met Gary when he bought a pair of Magnepan loudspeakers from me off Audiogon back in 2008 or so. He's a fantastic dude with a knack for loosening people up and an ear for good audio. On top of that, he's an accomplished musician to boot.

Polk has decided to sponsor this event again and what perfect timing as the new LSiM is coming out this year. We'll be hosting the "Whistler" room, 1st Floor, past the Atrium and front desk. We're in one of the large rooms and hanging with the super high end folks. I'm sure this will make them twitch and give us the evil eye but that's the way it goes and we came to really play.

We will have the new LSiM 707 Floorstander and 703 Bookshelf, as well as the Blackstone TL3 Satellite and MicroPro series subwoofers. I'll also have the cut-away models and press only items that were presented privately almost a year ago. These are cool because you can see how the actual loudpseaker is made and handle the individual parts, including the "sonic engine". You can find out more about the engine if you attend

The fact that we're introducing the new lineup it only felt appropriate to get some hardcore equipment to match up with them. Audio Research Corporation has been kind enough to send me a brand new REF CD8 CD Player & LS26 Tube Line Stage Pre-Amplifier. Along with my personal CTC BBQ Amplifier, our front and back end is rock solid.

We're also getting support from Joe Abrams & MIT Cables for the second year in a row. Joe has been a Club Polk regular supporter and I couldn't have asked for better help and guidance over the years. Joe's customer service rivals Polk's and that's not taken lightly. MIT is sending a full compliment of Magnum series cables and power cords.

As a bonus, Frank Dai from Signal Cable and Grant Vandermye from Mye Sound are both sending some goodies and products to show at the event.

You might remember Ken Swauger from the Polk Customer Service days....well he's pledged to bring some old school Revox Reel 2 Reel players with some rare tape recordings that we can enjoy as well. He might have retired from Polk but he's as busy as ever restoring vintage R2R and collecting more and more media. This is pretty special to me personally, since his Stellavox player is what created the bar standard of all things audio for me back in 2005. I'm very happy that he's joining our room and bringing some truly great stuff with him.

On top of all the aformentioned stuff I'll have a couple pairs of vintage Polk's on display, to include a pair of SDA CRS+ on custom stands by Grant of MyeSound. These are moreso to jog memories of folks in attendance but will be fully prepared to play and perform as needed.

I've been asked about SACD and that's not been hashed out yet but if we do go that route it'll be with a Sony SCD-1. We're going to be running digital media thru my iPad via the HRT Streamer or similar device. We used this quite a bit at last years event, as did 75% of the other rooms including Joseph Audio, and it performed beautifully. To those that are iHaters....get used to it because it's what you're going to hear more and more of at these shows like this, CES and CEDIA. It's just a fact.

This is from the first year... Capital Audiofest 2010

Exhibitor/ Manufacturer List - We are in the Whistler room.

Equipment List:

Audio Research LS27 Tube Line Stage Pre-Amplifier
Audio Research REF CD8 CD Player
CTC BBQ Amplifier
Adona Corporation Custom Audio Rack
MIT Magnum Speaker Cables and Interconnects
Signal Cable Power Cords
MyeSound Spikes and Custom Speaker Stands
Bright Star Audio Isolation Gear
Revox A77/PR99 - Tapepath Modified - Reel 2 Reel Players

-Mark

Here are some comments from last years event:

"The Polk Audio room was packed as usual!" - CAA 2010

"Mark of Polk Audio taking a break from the ever crowded room." - Gary Gill, Host/Organizer

"Polk Audio shows off their high end speakers on the second floor." - CAA 2010

"Polk Audio speaker lineup before the masses filled their room!" - CAA 2010

[mdaudioguy]

This looked like a great time last year! I'll have to check my schedule.... would love to check out some of this new gear (that I'll probably never be able to own).

[MillerLiteScott]

Looks great Mark:)

[brgman]

Not far from me.Do they allow rednecks in?

[steveinaz]

Wear a turtleneck, you'll be good as gold.

[MillerLiteScott]

More like a t-shirt. Class A power in July.

[Big Dawg]

... not just a get together or elbow rub with 20 dudes....

You say that like it's a bad thing....

Sounds very cool.

[Kenneth Swauger]

Well, I should be able to bring a couple of nice sounding Revox A77s, one high speed 1/2 track and the other 1/4 track standard speed. Maybe a nice sounding Revox PR99 that turned out well. I can bring the Stellavox SP7 that is set up to play the TP tapes. One of the A77s can play those as well so different machines can be set up. I have some nice sounding tapes I can bring, some never released Count Basie stuff. I'll have to go through and find the more interesting ones.
It's really great of Mark and Al to invite me to the event, typical Polk-Folk generosity.
See you there, Ken

[rromeo923]

Looking forward to this.

[RuSsMaN]

You should be. It would be great to have some 'noobs' show up. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

[Vette C6.r]

I'm in. I'll be there Sunday.

[mdaudioguy]

I'm in. I'll be there Sunday.

Me too! Sounds like fun...

[Vette C6.r]

We are probably meeting somewhere near you to carpool on Sunday.

IM us Ed if you want to join us.

[BlueFox]

Wish I could be there. I was living in the Rockville/Potomac area before moving to CA.

[RuSsMaN]

You guys/gals getting ramped up or what? This is a show worth attending if you are anywhere within a couple hours drive. Be there. Experience LSiM among lots of other exotic audio!

Who's coming, lets do this and show support for the brand you love!

[brgman]

I hope to be there.I am wondering about what you will hear as far as music genres.If i am interested in something will i have to base my decision on jazz and classical music even though i listen to rock?
This doesn't look like a place that will be playing Stevie Ray Vaughan or the Allman Bros.
Just wondering.

[txcoastal1]

I hope to be there.I am wondering about what you will hear as far as music genres.If i am interested in something will i have to base my decision on jazz and classical music even though i listen to rock?
This doesn't look like a place that will be playing Stevie Ray Vaughan or the Allman Bros.
Just wondering.

Bring your own CD's many times if you get to someone that is not slammed you can put in your own music

Just be courteous many and have a good time

[TNRabbit]

Sounds like fun; think I'll head up there on Sunday, too. Jesse, are you going this year?

Schedule from the site:

Schedule of CAF

Thursday July 07 - CAF Setup
3:00PM - 7:00PM: CAF Event Setup
(You may be able to access rooms earlier depending on availability so ask at desk)
7:00PM - Closed

Friday July 08
8:00AM - 11:00AM: CAF Event Setup
11:00AM - 7:00PM: CAF Open to Attendees
6:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Registration desk
7:00PM - CAF Closed

Saturday July 09 - Jazz Jam
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Be sure to be in the hotel lobby for a fun jam session along with your host. We will start off with a quintet and will go from there so bring your instrument!

Saturday July 09
10:00AM - 11:00AM: CAF Event Setup
11:00AM - 7:00PM: CAF Open to Attendees
6:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Registration desk
7:00PM - CAF Closed


Sunday July 10 - Swapmeet
7:00AM - 8:00AM Swapmeet Setup
8:00AM - 12:00NOON Swapmeet Open to Attendees
11:30AM - Start Swapmeet Cleanup
12:00NOON - Swapmeet Closed


Sunday July 10
10:00AM - 11:00AM CAF Event Setup
11:00AM - 6:00PM CAF Open to Attendees
6:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Registration desk
6:00PM - CAF Closed
6:00PM - 9:00PM CAF Event Cleanup

[F1nut]

I am wondering about what you will hear as far as music genres. If I am interested in something will I have to base my decision on jazz and classical music even though I listen to rock?

Good question. Last year Polk had a selection of rock, but IIRC none of the others did, which is rather short sighted since most of the shoppers are baby boomers brought up on rock & roll.

As txcoastal1 stated, bring your own music. The dealers are normally very accommodating.

Sounds like fun; think I'll head up there on Sunday, too.

I'll be there.

[brgman]

Great! I'm in the market for a pre and listening to just Stan Getz and Beethoven won't get me to the promised land.

[dorokusai]

Yeah, just bring whatever you want to hear. I've rarely been turned down by a manufacturer in regards to music. They usually welcome it since they're so tired of playing the same stuff over and over since that's what happens at every event, even CES.

[brgman]

[QUOTE=F1nut;1608171]Good question. Last year Polk had a selection of rock, but IIRC none of the others did, which is rather short sighted since most of the shoppers are baby boomers brought up on rock & roll.


I couldn't agree more.I have no problem with what anyone likes to listen to (except maybe rap) but i always wonder if i am going to wake up one day and all of sudden like the stuff that has been the audiophile "standard" for years.
Just look at what LP's etc keep getting re-made and released.IMHO there should be 100 times more rock and roll available than there is.I would think our generation is who they should try to cater to.

[brgman]

Yeah, just bring whatever you want to hear. I've rarely been turned down by a manufacturer in regards to music. They usually welcome it since they're so tired of playing the same stuff over and over since that's what happens at every event, even CES.

Nice.Zappa and Ramones it is!

[Vette C6.r]

I'll be there.

Before noon too. What's this world coming to. I guess you're going to tell me you're into home theater now too.

[dorokusai]

OK....getting real close to game time. If you're helping tomorrow, call me tonight.

Forget Polkfest 2011 for right now and concentrate on this weekend.

[dorokusai]

What's $60K+ worth of front and back end look like? This.....

2CH : Audio Research Reference CD8 CD Player, Audio Research Reference 5 Pre-Amplifier, CTC BBQ Amplifier...optional/backup Audio Research Reference 210 Amplifier.

Blackstone : NAD VISO 5 CD/DVD/Receiver, Musical Fidelity M1 DAC, 100% Signal Cable interconnects.

[F1nut]

If you're helping tomorrow, call me tonight.

I tried, 3 times.

[RuSsMaN]

About to board an MD80...you local guys make it happen and get out and show your support for Polk!

[rromeo923]

I am thinking about bringing some items to the swap meet Sunday. Do a lot of people attend? Will it cost me $20 for the swap meet and another $20 to get in to the show?

[dorokusai]

I have no idea Romeo....PM for my phone number. Yes, the swap meet was pretty good last year. I'll also have stuff for it so you can piggyback with me, don't worry about the $20.