Part 2
The PAF Marketplace in the Grand Ballroom (above) proved to be popular with Fest attendees, and in particular people were really into demoing headphone based audio systems throughout the Fest. (below)
Isolation devices by AV RoomService, and record cleaning demonstrations by Kirmuss Audio were popular stops (below).
After I checked out the Marketplace I continued on my adventure of exploring the Fest demo rooms.
One of my favorites, and one of the most naturally musical systems of the Fest, was also one of the most modestly priced systems at the Fest, coming in at $4000 USD for loudspeakers, amplification, room correction, streaming ... everything (except an iPhone that was used as a Bluetooth source)!
In fact when I walked past the Cabasse room I almost kept walking past because I didn't think they were ready to demo for show attendees, as there were just two tiny loudspeakers on stands up against the front wall, with a controller unit located on a side table.
Cabasse was demoing their Rialto system, designed for use as a stand alone 2-channel audio system, or if you prefer you can add it to your audio-visual system, or even do a multi-room home install with it.
These diminutive Cabasse loudspeakers could hit a volume of 121 dB on peaks, had a frequency range 30 – 27,000 Hz, and had discreet built-in amplification of 600 W RMS / 1,200 W peak on the tweeter, 600 W RMS / 1,200 W peak on the midrange, and a whopping 900 W RMS / 1 800 W peak on bass.
One of my lost photos was of the Cabasse control unit sitting on a side table, which was about the size of a Kleenex box. It allowed for the streaming of music via Bluetooth from a phone.
The Cabasse demo used an iPhone as a source, streaming Qobuz through the control unit to the loudspeakers.
The result was a huge sound field, with a naturally warm, dynamic, and an extremely musical presentation that belied the Cabasse Rialto's small size and affordable price.
Not only that, but the Rialto system had an auto calibration feature for room response through the DAC at 768 kHz / 32 bits which dialed the sound quality in perfectly for the room. I was impressed.
This modest Cabasse system was one of the most impressively musical systems of the Fest. I was blown away by its superior performance, and certainly in terms of musicality it outdid demo systems selling for a $1,000,000 plus.
When I asked the Cabasse representative about the Rialto's small size, he told me that high-performance audio in a high-tech small format audio system was a design objective, as room space was at more of a premium in France than it is here in the USA.
This creative approach could be the future of high-performance audio. Did I mention it is wallet friendly? It is.
If you are looking for a room friendly system with superb performance at a modest price, then I suggest you contact your Cabasse dealer for a demo.
There were a couple of new high-end audio product debuts that readers asked me to check out and report back on.
The first being from the Washington state company Genesis Advanced Technologies who had their new $680,000 USD Prime+ loudspeaker system (above) available for Fest goers to hear in the Cascade 9 room.
At the 2022 Pacific Audio Fest the Genesis room was one of the highlights of the Fest, with their demonstration comparing reel-to-reel master tapes, high-resolution digital transfers of said master tapes, and vinyl.
The Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system was beautiful to behold, impressive in its exquisite craftsmanship, and of course its size was rather awe inspiring.
Unfortunately, I don't have much positive to report about the Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system in terms of sound quality and musicality, as it was sounding rather brash, hard, forward, and amusical when I was in the room. The Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system was capable of creating impressive SPLs and dynamics, however.
I don't really believe this poor showing was due to the loudspeakers themselves, or the sources and amplification used (all first rate). It seemed clear to me that in the limited time available to setup a system and getting it sounding good under challenging show conditions, the Genesis people hadn't quite got it dialed in yet. I'll bet they were frustrated with the results.
No worries though, if your wallet is fat enough to purchase the $680K Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system, I'm sure the good folks at Genesis will assist you getting it dialed into perfection.
I'd love to hear the Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system perfectly dialed in, as I assume it would be awesome. Maybe at PAF 2024?
Genesis also launched their new 'entry-level' G7 series loudspeakers at the Fest (above).
Here's what there press release said about them:
"Woodinville, WA – Genesis Advanced Technologies announces a new line-up of passive floor standing loudspeakers at the Pacific Audio Fest, June 23 – 25 in Cascade 9 at the DoubleTree Hilton, SeaTac, WA.
The original Genesis® 7-series started as bookshelf speakers in 2005: the G7c (Convertible) was designed by Arnie Nudell, followed by the G7p (Petite) designed by his design successor in Genesis, Gary Leonard Koh. A floor standing G7f with an active side firing woofer was launched in 2010 and won Best of Innovations for Home Theater Speakers at the 2010 International CES. The line was retired in 2018 with a planned re-launch in 2020.
“I design to deliver music,” said Gary Leonard Koh, Chief Designer and CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies. “I want to listen to the music, not the gear, and that is what I mean by ‘transparency’. The equipment gets out of the way and the musicians appear miraculously in front of you when you listen to my designs, from the Prime+ down to the entry level 7s.”
“The beauty of Gary’s designs is such that even the ‘baby’ of the line is able to reproduce the full tones of a grand piano,” Carolyn Koh, Vice President and COO said. “I’m a pianist and when Gary asked what would be ‘good enough’ for me, I said that it would be for them to be able to reproduce a superlative recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, and you know what? He did it.”
“When I started 15 years ago, it took me two years just to voice the Petite,” agreed Gary, “Unlike some brands that use cheaper components for their entry level loudspeakers; we use the same proprietary parts like tweeters and capacitors across the entire loudspeaker line. Using the same technology, I am able to deliver absolute fidelity that appeal to audiophiles and music lovers alike.”
Both the epitome of 40 years of constant improvement and innovation of the iconic “biggest and best loudspeaker in the world” the Prime+ and the trickle-down technology infusing the entry-level models of the entry-level line will be featured at the Pacific Audio Fest. Discerning attendees will recognize the same familial sound when they hear both the entry-level series and the flagship of the line.
R&D prototypes of the G7 series speakers will be shown with Heed electronics represented by Profundo Audio in Cascade 9 at the DoubleTree Hilton. The Genesis 7 series will retail for $8,000 to $20,000."
While I was in the room the G7 series loudspeakers weren't playing music, but they certainly looked promising.
One of the things that really impressed me in the Genesis room was the new Analog Audio Design TP-1000 R2R machine, capable of both recording and playback, that is being imported by Brian Tucker of Pro Audio Ltd. (847.561.4008).
One of the cool things about the Analog Audio Design TP-1000 R2R is that it has a remote control that allows you to zoom from track to track just like you would with a CD remote.
The quality of the Analog Audio Design TP-1000 R2R looked superb, and the fit & finish was excellent.
In chatting with Brian, he told me the new Analog Audio Design TP-1000 reel-to-reel R2R machine is a new design from the ground up. Designed and manufactured in France, the Analog Audio Design TP-1000's design was informed by Golden Age Ampex R2Rs - if I remember correctly - and improved from there. Pricing starts at $20K USD.
I know some of you are very interested in R2R because of the impressive 'master tape' like sound quality delivered, and a new production high-quality R2R is a thrilling event.
I'm hoping to interview Brian about the new Analog Audio Design TP-1000 R2R in the not to distant future.
Another hifi product readers asked me to check out and report back on was the debut of the new Klaudio Magnezar turntable at the Fest (above).
Unfortunately, the same Fest gremlins that were affecting the Genesis room were also in play at Klaudio room.
It seems like there was a hex on a number of rooms of classic 'high-end' audiophile-style systems, and well ... they weren't sounding too good while I was in the room so I can't say much about the performance of the the new Klaudio Magnezar turntable either.
I've heard vinyl-based systems with Wilson loudspeakers and Pass Labs electronics sound excellent in the past, so I imagine this one could sound excellent too, but it wasn't happening while I was in the room.
The new Klaudio Magnezar turntable was certainly impressive to see, and it exudes quality and a thoughtful design.
I recommend you make an appointment to hear one if you are in the market for a state-of-art high-end turntable.
Sorry guys, I wish I could have told you more positive feedback about the Genesis Prime+ loudspeaker system and the Klaudio Magnezar turntable as you requested, but setup gremlins plagued these rooms making it hard to tell what these two premium audiophile components were capable of.
