The Pacific Audio Fest: Musings, meditations, observations, and random thoughts! Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8!

Pacific Audio Fest Report - Part 6

You all know I love integrated amplifiers, and the Audio Federation room was an example of why.

A simple system of superb (albeit expensive) components from Acapella Audio Arts and Audio Note (UK) combined to give some of my favorite high-fidelity musicality at the Pacific Audio Fest.

The superb Audio Federation room!

Acapella Apollon loudspeakers

The Acapella Apollon loudspeakers are big loudspeakers!

The Acapella Apollon loudspeakers are big loudspeakers, almost reaching the ceiling of the room! Beautifully finished, available in a variety of finishes, they exhibited superb musicality and sound quality.

Audio Federation room with Audio Note (UK) DAC Five Signature and Acapella integrated amplifier.

I've really been impressed by the Audio Note (UK) digital and analog sources I've heard - they just sound like music is supposed to sound.

The Audio Note (UK) DAC Five Signature was a superb performer!

The Audio Note (UK) DAC Five Signature provided high-fidelity sound quality with superb musicality to give an unfailingly live-like portrayal of music. Audio Note (UK) knows what music is supposed to sound like.

Breathtakingly expensive and beautiful system in the High End Byoz / United Home Audio room.

Need a wide-angle lens next time, couldn't fit the entire High End Byoz system into the photo!

Another super (expensive) system with reel-to-reel as a source in the High End Byoz / United Home Audio room.

High End Byoz

Are you a tech mogul with three-quarters of a million to spend an an audio (or video game) system? The High End Byoz can help you offload some of that pesky cash!

I don't remember if it was this room, but seriously, one of the exhibitors told me that one-third of their business volume comes from systems in the $750K to $1.5M USD range.

Given Planet Earth is knocking on the door of 8 billion people, that top 1% of earners that has most of the money in the world amounts to 80,000,000 people that like to buy statement products of pretty much everything.

Needless to say the 1% are customers that are not really affected by the ups and downs of the economy like us mere mortals.

That is why we are seeing more and more audio companies catering to the 1% crowd with very ambitious audio designs.

The photos below are for my friend Santos, a long-time Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) fan!

Santos, since you couldn't attend this year, I thought I'd bring the Pacific Audio Fest to you!

Convergent Audio Technology!

CAT amp!

CAT preamp!

You can always count on Joseph Audio to have a great sounding room, and they didn't disappoint with their selection of Joseph Audio loudspeakers, Dohsi Audio amplification, and Cardas cables.

The Joseph Audio room!

They get it: "Live unamplified music has unmistakable presence and clarity. Yet, at the same time it sounds relaxed and warm. Many of the last century's greatest musical performances can never be created again, but can be experienced anew through the magic of higher fidelity." Amen!