AudioNec pours on the omni-directional love, is there anything really better than a VAC preamp, Linear Tube Audio serves up the power, Lampizator brings the warm glow, Taiko Audio brings the tunes, Final Touch Audio binds together our sonic promises, and Destination Sound Group is our host.
The Story
Destination Sound Group was showing a system that really did something more different than anything else at the show. It’s did that duo-pole thing that we kind of forget about existing, yet knowingly love so much when we hear it.
For me the story here was the EVO#2 from AudioNec of France. The EVO line is comprised of three duo-pole speaker models based on upgraded configuration. The EVO #1 is a three-way passive loudspeaker. The EVO #2 adds a powered subwoofer. The EVO #3 adds another subwoofer and low-frequency passive bass driver.
For the system at Capital Audiofest 2021, we had the EVO #2 which gave of insight to both the EVO #1 as we were able to de-activate the subwoofer, and the EVO #3 as we were given a taste of what the speaker was like with half of the powered bass available in the larger model.
The other product of note was the Baltic 3 DAC from Lampizator. This DAC is special in that it operates single-ended and balanced outputs at the same time, no need to reconfigure for each output. It’s topology is truly balanced with four monophonic channels — one per each phase of the stereo sound.
PCM 384 kHz, DSD 512, it’s all there. Output gain is adjustable from 2 Vpp to 6 Vpp, USB, AES, Toslink, S/PDIF with a selector knob on the back. Tubes everywhere, and the front button backlight is adjustable to blue, orange/amber, white, red, or green. Have it your way.
Associated components like the VAC Reference preamplifier and LTA amplifiers bring everything right and nothing wrong to the mix. Both exceptionally clean and transparent devices suited for showing the best attributes and flavours of all connected devices.
The Sound
Unlike anything else at the show, midrange frequencies are enveloping the listener and boundaries of the room at once. Imaging is spectacular down the middle, and instruments at the edges have scale and blossom. There is this open-baffle electrostat thing going on, and I’m here for it.
The tuning was comfortable to listen to, while the driver integrated of what essentially is a four way speaker (powered sub included) borders on true point-source, with an aura surrounding the speakers and supporting the back wall. It’s a crazy thing, but I love it. And I’d wish to hear more of it.
For more Capital Audio Fest 2021 coverage—CLICK HERE!
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