Chuck's Capital Audiofest 2025 Review: The Most Memorable Must-Hear System Demos And Stereo Setups
Inside CAF 2025's best demos with new gear, listening notes, and a few surprise standouts!
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report By Chuck Bruce

Audio Group Denmark featuring Borresen M2 with Aavik 88 series and A3 low-frequency reproducer... Audio Group Denmark presented a full-spectrum system anchored by Borresen M2 tower loudspeakers, driven by Aavik 88 series electronics and augmented by their new A3 low-frequency reproducer. The Borresen M2s used precision-machined driver assemblies, rigid enclosures, and carefully tuned crossovers to deliver a neutral, transparent sound.

The Aavik 88 electronics offered class-leading linearity, low noise, and digital refinement. The A3 low-frequency unit extended the system's bass bandwidth with controlled output and phase-matched integration, allowing the main towers to maintain midrange clarity while the A3 handled the deepest octaves. The combined system was calibrated for time alignment and room response to achieve a cohesive, live-scale presentation.

The result was magnificent full-spectrum music with a live, concert-like sense of scale: instruments had natural weight and decay, and the soundstage extended convincingly beyond the speaker plane. Tonal balance was neutral and engaging, making both solo piano and large ensemble recordings feel immediate and emotionally resonant. The performance lingered in the memory long after leaving the room.

Nola Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 open-baffle floorstanders with VAC vacuum tube amplification was one of the show's most musically engaging demos. Featuring the Nola Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 floorstanding speakers in an open-baffle configuration, their midrange / tweeter section used an open-baffle design with four true ribbon tweeters arranged for wide dispersion and ultra-low distortion, contributing to a quoted system sensitivity of 91dB/W/m, making them exceptionally easy to drive.

The open baffle allowed natural room interaction and a lifelike midrange presence. Line-stage duties were handled by a VAC Essence preamplifier, while disc playback came from an Audio Research CD-8 transport. Power amplification was supplied by a pair of Western Electric 97A monoblocks, each delivering 80 Watts and populated with multiple 300B tubes per channel for a rich, tube-driven output stage; inputs supported both RCA and balanced connections. The chain emphasized tube harmonic richness with precise control.

This system produced an exceptionally accurate and engaging musical presentation: the open-baffle midrange was transparent and immediate, ribbons delivered silk-smooth highs with micro-detail, and the high sensitivity allowed the 300B-powered monoblocks to render dynamics with natural ease. Imaging was expansive and three-dimensional, with a palpable sense of air and decay around instruments. It was a deeply memorable listening experience that combined refinement, authority, and emotional immediacy.

Capital Audiofest 2025 A Resounding Success!
Capital Audiofest 2025 delivered a feast of new loudspeaker designs and high-end electronics, with highlighting room-by-room demos that ranged from intimate standmounts to large open-baffle floorstanders. The show's narrative centered on both new and longstanding high-end audio brands and gear introductions. Imaginative home audio sound system pairings that provided a lifelike presentation.

Across the floors at Capital Audiofest (CAF), digital streamers and analog turntables both shone as the musical backbone for many of the most compelling demos. Several rooms stood out for their distinctive voicing and engineering approaches. Compact but potent systems with two-way standmounters that delivered full-range musicality when paired with handcrafted high-end audio electronics.

The show's most memorable demonstrations balanced technical prowess with emotional immediacy. With a variety of powerful, live-scale presentations that lingered in the memory, standout exhibit rooms were many. Exceptionally transparent, three-dimensional sound, lifelike sound.... Overall, CAF 2025 was a showcase where innovative designs, thoughtful electronics pairings, and both digital and analog sources combined to produce numerous must-hear systems for audiophiles. Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to seeing you at Capital Audiofest 2026!

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