Lone Star Audio Fest 2025: The Pulse Of High-Fidelity
High-fidelity heaven at Texas' LSAF high-end audio show.
Lone Star Audio Fest 2025 Audiophile Show Coverage By Paul Schumann

Canvas HIFI had their integrated speaker system ready for a listen. Designed to fit neatly beneath a flat-screen television, they come in different sizes to accommodate the one you have. Not just a soundbar, the CANVAS ($4,999 for a 65” TV) is designed and engineered like a true high-end speaker. One of the nice features is that they come with a bracket to securely hold your TV and the CANVAS speaker together. The CANVAS impressed me with its full sound and clarity. This would be a great purchase for someone who wants better sound but has space limitations.

Audio Geeks from San Antonio had a budget-friendly system on display they called the 399. It consisted of a Cambridge Audio AXA-35 integrated amplifier ($399), a Cambridge Audio AXC-35 compact disc player ($399), a Cambridge Audio AXN-10 streamer ($399), and Fyne Audio F302, Walnut two-way floor standing speakers ($399).

In addition to the 399 system, there was a Cambridge Audio Alva TT v2 turntable / phono preamp ($1,499) and a Sonus faber Gravis II subwoofer ($1,499). The components were placed on a Salamander Designs Arcehtype stand, and Kimber Kable wiring was used throughout. This system was a great example of how to achieve great sound without breaking the bank.

Brayne Audio from Austin was a very popular room at LSAF. The Brayne X ($449) is a portable speaker incorporating high-end audio technology. This Bluetooth speaker is fully waterproof, has Alexa built in, and can be linked with other Brane X speakers using its app.

Toby Speakers introduced their Narwhal and Narwhal Evo Hybrid ESL loudspeakers. These speakers include a fully-integrated preamp/amp/DSP. Both have the same 8-inch Purifi bass driver. The regular Narwhal has a beryllium waveguide tweeter ($12,000) and the Narwhal Evo Hybrid ESL has a next-gen electrostatic panel ($17,000). The Evo Hybrid ESLs were playing when I was in the room, and the marriage of the woofer to the panel was seamless.

Raven Audio had a variety of amplifiers and speakers to choose from. Pictured are the Corvis Reference Monitors ($12,500), Raptor Speakers ($7500), the Reflection Mk3 Integrated ($16,995), and the Osprey Mk3 Integrated ($5,695). As always, the Raven gear was very musical.

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