Here’s some select pieces of hifi gear and systems I’m looking forward to checking out at Capital Audiofest next week.
Brought to you by bi-coastal dealer Alma Music and Audio, Switzerland’s FM Acoustics makes their return to the US market (yay!) with a stack that includes the FM 256-RC preamp, FM 411-MKIII mono amps, and the intriguing FM 133 Harmonic Linearizer paired with the YG Acoustics XV Studio 3 in Room 850.
From FM Acoustics:
The FM 133 & FM 233 Harmonic Linearizers allow precise correction and improvement of non-optimal recordings. They do this in an absolutely unique way. For the first time colouration, recording or mastering errors, noise, obnoxious sound and other limitations are improved without affecting the audio signal.
While the characteristics and transparency of the original signal is kept pristine, errors can be compensated and the music spectrum can be strengthened.The method of operation is rather intriguing as the entire audio signal takes a direct path from input to output. The improvement is achieved by a unique additive / subtractive Linearizer bank that corrects aberrations. Using just five controls, any frequency (or group of frequencies) in the entire audio band can be optimized without negative influence inflicted on the original audio signal. Furthermore, the signal always remains purely in the analogue domain.
Chesky Audio will showcasing the new and improved LC1.2 Bookshelf Monitor ($1250/pair) and LC2.2 Reference Monitor ($2000/pair) in Room 859. From Chesky Audio:
Our goal was never to change the fundamental character of these speakers. We wanted to preserve the musicality, natural presentation, and engaging sound that earned Chesky Audio such wonderful praise, while making substantial advancements in performance, engineering, and craftsmanship.
The LC1.2 and LC2.2 feature the company’s new StrataMax™ cabinet technology that uses advanced multilayer construction with constrained-layer damping that’s claimed to minimize unwanted resonances and coloration while improving driver performance, a new generation of drivers, a new passive radiator system, and improved build quality sporting a new Satin Graphite finish.
Gryphon Audio Designs and Command Performance AV of Falls Church, VA will be demonstrating not one, two, or three but four new products from Gryphon in the Democracy Suite that includes the new Helios Preamplifier, Hyperion Class-A Power Amplifier, Siren Phono Preamplifier, and Black Diamond DLC Phono Cartridge. All that Gryphon will be driving a pair of Marten loudspeakers backed by a “REL Six Pack” of SIX S/850 subwoofers with the J.Sikora flagship MAX SUPREME Turntable with their KV MAX 12” Tonearm out front.
Kitchener, Ontario’s Hearken Audio will be introducing the new 95db efficient Bastanis Katrin dipole loudspeakers from The Netherlands in Room 749 paired with Trafomatic tube gear and a turntable from Jean Nantais.
Alma Music and Audio shares:
Alongside Lindemann, Room 845 at Capital Audio Fest will also be home to Neat Acoustics this year, and we’d love for you to come hear them. Alma is now Neat’s sole representative in the United States, and CAF is the first show where we’ll present the brand in that role.
Neat has been making loudspeakers by hand in Barnard Castle, County Durham, since 1989. Its founder, Bob Surgeoner, spent more than two decades as a working musician before he started designing speakers, and the company still finishes every design by listening, with measurements as a guide rather than the last word. What comes out of that is a line of slim, compact speakers with genuine bass and modest power needs. Hi-Fi+ put it well: Neat’s speakers are “designed almost solely by ear, listening to music rather than test-tones.”
Two models will be playing, both introduced in 2026, never been shown in the US!
Vito Classic, from $7,190/pair. Neat’s newest speaker now heads the Classic range. It revives a name from the 1990s, when the original Vito earned a loyal following. Inside its 7.5-inch-wide cabinet, an AMT tweeter and two bass-mid drivers each have a chamber of their own, in a 2.5-way layout rated from 22 Hz to 22 kHz.
Iota Alpha II, from $2,890/pair. At just under 18 inches tall, it fires its mid/bass driver upward and a bass driver downward, with a 2-inch EMIT planar magnetic tweeter on top. It’s one of the most distinctive designs Neat has made, and a long-standing favorite.
Press Release from Orchard Audio:
Orchard Audio Launches Its First Integrated Amplifier for $3000 at Capital Audiofest
November 4, 2026, Succasunna, New Jersey – Orchard Audio is announcing the launch of its newest high-performance audio solution: the Starkrimson 25 Integrated. Engineered for music lovers and audiophiles who demand uncompromising clarity, effortless power, and pristine detail, this new integrated stereo amplifier represents the culmination of Orchard Audio’s proprietary technology and design philosophy.
The Starkrimson 25 Integrated will make its official debut at Capital Audiofest (Nov 13–15). Show attendees will have the opportunity to hear the unit in action, and Orchard Audio will begin accepting orders for the amplifier shortly following the event.
At the heart of the Starkrimson 25 Integrated is Orchard Audio’s state-of-the-art (SOTA) Starkrimson 25 Gallium Nitride Megahertz (GaNM) amplifier technology. This architecture delivers 150W into 8Ω and 200W into 4Ω, while remaining completely stable down to 1-ohm to handle even the most demanding loudspeakers. To achieve exceptional channel separation and dynamic headroom, Orchard Audio designed it as a true dual-mono system, equipping each channel with its own dedicated 350W power supply.
To preserve every nuance of your audio source, volume control is handled by a precision stepped relay attenuator utilizing ultra-low-noise Panasonic resistors. Combined with the power stage, the system delivers a wide overall gain adjustment range from -58.5 dB to +27.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps, ensuring optimal dynamic range and pristine channel matching across all volume levels.
Key Features & Specifications:
- Amplifier Technology: Orchard Audio’s Proprietary Starkrimson 25 GaNM
- Power Output: 150W RMS into 8Ω | 200W RMS into 4Ω (Stable down to 1Ω)
- Architecture: Dual-mono with separate 350W power supplies per channel
- Overall Gain Range: -58.5 dB to +27.5 dB (in 0.5 dB steps, preamplifier + power amplifier)
- Volume Control: Stepped relay attenuator with precision low-noise Panasonic resistors
- Stereo Inputs: 4 total (2 Balanced XLR, 2 Unbalanced RCA)
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 17″ x 10.5″ x 3.25″
- MSRP: $2,999.95
Whether you are connecting balanced high-end DACs or standard single-ended sources, the Starkrimson 25 Integrated features four stereo inputs (two XLR and two RCA) to integrate into your setup easily. Its sleek 17″ wide chassis fits comfortably into standard equipment racks while housing reference-grade performance inside.
Availability & Debut:
The Starkrimson 25 Integrated will be debuted live at Capital Audiofest, November 13–15. Pre-orders will open on Orchard Audio’s website soon after the show at an MSRP of $2,999.95. For full technical measurements, detailed specifications, or show details, please visit orchardaudio.com.
About Orchard Audio, LLC
Orchard Audio is dedicated to designing and manufacturing boutique, high-performance audio equipment that delivers true-to-life sound reproduction. Grounded in rigorous engineering principles and hands-on audio design experience, Orchard Audio leverages modern technology such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors and premium circuit design to bring listener-centric, high-fidelity audio products to music lovers worldwide.
Justin Weber of ampsandsound will debut his new Voyager monoblock amplifiers alongside the Badlands Preamplifier and DAC 1.2 paired with MC AudioTech’s loudspeakers in Room 309. I reviewed and was impressed by MC AudioTech’s TL-12 Loudspeakers so this room is high on my list of must-sees.
VAC / Valve Amplification Company will be premiering their all new Master Phono Stage in the Potomac Room (with Magico, SAT, Lyra, and AudioQuest). “The Master Phono circuitry and execution is inspired by the cost-no-object Statement Phono Stage. The Master features inputs for three cartridges, adjustable gain of 55 dB for MM and 79 dB for moving coil, variable MC loading, mono mode, both RCA and fully balanced outputs, and external power supply.”
Q Acoustics, along with America Audio & Video, will debuting their new (affordable) 3040c florrstanders ($999/pair) and the higher-end Concept 300 standmount speakers ($6399/pair) in Room 737.