Part-Time Audiophile

11/21/2025

Saros Audio Systems Europa Headphone Amp | CAF 2025

Saros Audio Systems is a new manufacturing partner of the Moon Audio headphone empire, and their introductory product, the Europa tube headphone amp and preamplifier, was one of the finest headphone rigs I heard at the 2025 Capital Audiofest. (And yes, I heard quite a few while covering the show.) The Saros Audio Systems Europa ($8,495) is a fully differential design that can be used as either a headphone amp or a high-quality preamplifier....

Saros Audio Systems is a new manufacturing partner of the Moon Audio headphone empire, and their introductory product, the Europa tube headphone amp and preamplifier, was one of the finest headphone rigs I heard at the 2025 Capital Audiofest. (And yes, I heard quite a few while covering the show.) T...

11/21/2025

Ø Audio Icon 12, dCS, Boulder and AudioQuest | CAF 2025

Ever since I reviewed the Ø Audio F***g 02 speakers a few weeks ago, I've been eager to hear more from this Norwegian speaker manufacturer. If you've read the review, you'll know that I tried to hear Ø Audio speakers at high-end audio shows at least a couple of times, and the room was always full. At CAF 2025, I was able to sneak into the room, find a decent seat in the sweet spot, and feast upon some fine Norwegian prog metal on the…...

Ever since I reviewed the Ø Audio F***g 02 speakers a few weeks ago, I've been eager to hear more from this Norwegian speaker manufacturer. If you've read the review, you'll know that I tried to hear Ø Audio speakers at high-end audio shows at least a couple of times, and

11/20/2025

Heaven 11 Audio and MC Audiotech | CAF 2025

I ventured into the Heaven 11 Audio and MC Audiotech exhibit room at CAF 2025 primarily to visit Mark Conti--after all, I reviewed his MC Audiotech TL-12 loudspeakers earlier in the year and I found them to be an excellent partner for the 300B amps I'm currently reviewing. Right before I headed to DC, however, I received a press release from Heaven 11 Audio, Mark's room partner at the show....

I ventured into the Heaven 11 Audio and MC Audiotech exhibit room at CAF 2025 primarily to visit Mark Conti--after all, I reviewed his MC Audiotech TL-12 loudspeakers earlier in the year and I found them to be an excellent partner for the 300B amps I'm currently reviewing. Right before I

11/20/2025

Interesting merger for two great brands.

Apogee Electronics Acquired by Dirk Ulrich’s Rockforce Tech Holding, Parent Company of Manley Labs Santa Monica, CA – November 14th, 2025 – Apogee Electronics, a leader in professional and prosumer audio technology for 40 years, announced today that it has been acquired by Rockforce Tech Holdi...

11/20/2025

The TriangleArt Room: After the Selene | CAF 2025

At some point during the 2025 Capital Audiofest I dragged our own Brian Hunter into the TriangleArt room to hear a very special system. As we walked into the room, Brian spotted the TriangleArt Selene speakers and asked me, "Aren't those the speakers you just reviewed?" I replied that yes, my review of the $20,000/pr Selenes had just appeared shortly before the show in DC--they were, in fact, still in my reference system at the time and making beautiful music....

At some point during the 2025 Capital Audiofest I dragged our own Brian Hunter into the TriangleArt room to hear a very special system. As we walked into the room, Brian spotted the TriangleArt Selene speakers and asked me, "Aren't those the speakers you just reviewed?" I replied that yes, my

11/20/2025

Eastern Bay Sound, Belleson and LTA | CAF 2025

Eastern Bay Sound is a speaker manufacturer that is new to me, but their stunning new single-driver bookshelf monitors were partnered with some very familiar names such as Belleson, LTA, HiFi Rose and more. I ventured into this room to visit Brian and Christina Lowe of Belleson, the wonderful manufacturers of the industry's finest voltage regulators. (Just ask…...

Eastern Bay Sound is a speaker manufacturer that is new to me, but their stunning new single-driver bookshelf monitors were partnered with some very familiar names such as Belleson, LTA, HiFi Rose and more. I ventured into this room to visit Brian and Christina Lowe of Belleson, the wonderful

11/19/2025

Capital Audiofest 2025 – HiFi Highlights And Best Of Show

Capital Audiofest (or CAF 2025 as some might call it) was an absolute gem this year. The vibe was just right and the gear sounded amazing. There were more than a few new products to occupy the stage and the event went off without so much as a hitch. The big rooms on the first floor really scratched the itch for the high-end of things, and the main rooms in the tower filled in the gaps through the entry-level, headphones, $10k speakers and everything in-between....

Capital Audiofest (or CAF 2025 as some might call it) was an absolute gem this year. The vibe was just right and the gear sounded amazing. There were more than a few new products to occupy the stage and the event went off without so much as a hitch. The big rooms on

11/19/2025

VSA and Vinnie, Together Again for the First Time | CAF 2025

When I walked into one of Alma Audio's many exhibit rooms at the 2025 Capital Audiofest, I was met with a joyful surprise--a system with both VSA and Vinnie Rossi! What an absolutely fantastic idea, I thought. Von Schweikert Audio and Vinnie Rossi are two of my favorite brands in all of high-end audio, but I've never thought of sticking them together before....

When I walked into one of Alma Audio's many exhibit rooms at the 2025 Capital Audiofest, I was met with a joyful surprise--a system with both VSA and Vinnie Rossi! What an absolutely fantastic idea, I thought. Von Schweikert Audio and Vinnie Rossi are two of my favorite brands in

11/19/2025

The Zola DAC: A New Era for BorderPatrol | CAF 2025

The BorderPatrol Zola DAC, priced at $4,000, significantly enhances sound quality and usability compared to its predecessor. It features a non-oversampling design and customizable tube-rolling options. Triode Wire Labs provides compatible high-quality cables, while Innuos servers facilitate optimal digital performance in high-end audio systems, including Living Voice loudspeakers....

Zola DAC: Key Takeaways The new $4,000 Zola DAC from BorderPatrol offers a significant upgrade in sound quality and usability over its predecessor. Living Voice R80 OBX are world-class loudspeakers -- is more than this even necessary?

11/18/2025

LTA Century, Sound Lab and Dr. Vinyl | CAF 2025

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Vinyl sent me a message saying the new LTA Century monoblocks ($28,000/pr) were AMAZING. I didn't think much of it at the time, especially since we've never listened to LTA before during my many visits to his Baltimore area dealership, but I figured it all out at CAF 2025 when I visited my good friend and listened to a compelling system that also included the…...

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Vinyl sent me a message saying the new LTA Century monoblocks ($28,000/pr) were AMAZING. I didn't think much of it at the time, especially since we've never listened to LTA before during my many visits to his Baltimore area dealership, but I figured it

11/18/2025

Bricasti Design S7 Takes a Bow | CAF 2025

Bricasti Design, known for their DACs and amplifiers, has recently introduced their first loudspeakers, the S7, priced at $36k per pair. The S7 features advanced components and aims to complement their existing audio equipment. Additionally, Bricasti is launching the M19 SACD Transport and the M1 VC, enhancing their product lineup further....

Bricasti Design S7: Key Takeaways The Bricasti Design S7 is a new loudspeaker, featuring a pair of 7.5-inch woofers, a 3-inch midrange, and a beryllium dome tweeter, priced at $36k a pair. The M19 SACD Transport offers a solution for those

11/18/2025

A collection of watches from Capitol Audiofest 2025 in DC.